To address the pollution problem, all diesel-powered vehicles that meet at least the Euro 4 emissions standard are equipped with a particulate filter, a device specifically designed to filter and optimally treat certain particles during internal combustion.
From this perspective, it should be emphasized that many drivers complain about a malfunction of this component and, consequently, need to go to a specialized workshop to resolve the problem in question.
How does the particulate filter work?
First of all, it is important to specify that this component has the objective of capturing atmospheric particulate matter, to eliminate it in a subsequent phase through regeneration.
To function at its best, the particulate filter is constantly monitored by special software, which aims to efficiently manage the operation.
The entire process occurs thanks to the presence of a special silicon carbide filter made up of channels and honeycomb cells that have been specifically designed to retain particulate matter and prevent it from being released into the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, it should be emphasized that inside the particulate filter there is a cerine-based additive which has the task of making the particles aggregate as much as possible, in such a way as to make them more easily filterable.
The entire operation relating to the regeneration of the particulate filter takes place periodically, approximately every 500 kilometres travelled, although in reality this figure can vary significantly based on the type of roads travelled.
In fact, when the car is mainly used on urban roads, the regeneration process can be significantly delayed, most often caused by frequent stops and low speeds.
For this reason, it is advisable to periodically drive along a stretch of road that allows for non-stop driving to trigger combustion, which is of fundamental importance for the regeneration process.
If this procedure is not followed, the particulate filter can easily become clogged.
What are the main problems that cause the particulate filter to clog?
The particulate filter, also known by the acronym FAP, requires continuous and meticulous maintenance to avoid any type of malfunction.
One of the main problems with this component is undoubtedly clogging. When this occurs, the particulate filter warning light on the dashboard comes on, and thick, black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe when you press the accelerator.
Through these signals the driver of the car understands that the time has come to clean the filter, in order to have a performing car at its maximum potential again.
As mentioned previously, to activate regeneration and, consequently, ensure a functioning filter, it's best to travel on a stretch of road that allows sustained speed for about thirty minutes. Specifically, it's recommended to perform this procedure on safe routes, as to achieve the desired results, it's best to maintain a speed between 60 and 90 km/h.
Once this procedure has been carried out, the software designed to monitor the particulate filter should detect the blockage and proceed to clean the filter, increasing the reference temperature.
In fact, this result is achieved by increasing the injection of diesel, thus enabling regeneration to be activated and the dangerous PM10 to be burned.
If this system does not work, there is nothing left to do but take the car to a qualified workshop to perform a forced regeneration of the FAP.
How is the particulate filter regeneration performed in a workshop?
First of all, it's important to emphasize that if the procedure described above doesn't work, it's extremely important to have all the operations related to forced DPF regeneration performed by a qualified technician, as the component in question is particularly delicate. An incorrect cleaning process could worsen the situation, which, more often than not, leads to the inevitable replacement of the part.
The first step a specialist takes to clean the filter is to force regeneration, revving the car's engine to approximately 3,000 rpm after adding a specific additive. In most cases, after about ten minutes, the filter is fully functional.
If this procedure does not produce the desired results, you will need to contact a company specializing in FAP restoration.
The company will thoroughly clean every single component, starting with removing any debris from the particulate filter using a compressed air system.
Next, heat the filter by placing it in an oven with the dirty side facing down. During this process, gradually increase the temperature until it reaches approximately 615 degrees Celsius.
Once this step is completed, we wait for the component in question to reach a temperature of 40 degrees to clean both the inlet and outlet of the filter.
Finally, the process just described must be repeated to remove the soot and perform a final cleaning of the filter, using air.
Obviously, before carrying out the whole operation, it will be the specialized technician's job to understand whether the FAP to be restored can be saved or whether it is necessary to replace this component with a new filter.
How much does it cost to clean the particulate filter?
There are several cheap DIY kits on the market that won't allow you to do a significant job, but rather can permanently compromise the situation.
For this reason, it is very important to rely on qualified people who can boast significant experience in this field.
However, it is difficult to quantify the cost of cleaning the particulate filter, as there are several options available.
Generally speaking, however, it's unlikely you'll be able to spend more than 500 euros, while if you replace the filter, the cost increases significantly, as the outlay can reach 5,000 euros when purchasing more expensive devices.
Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that removing the particulate filter is absolutely not recommended, as this procedure is strictly prohibited by law and carries heavy fines.
Finally, it is also worth noting that removing the FAP recklessly increases air pollution, thus causing serious problems for the environment that hosts us.