Is it possible to clean a clogged particulate filter yourself? That is a question we often get. If a particulate filter is clogged, in many cases you can solve this relatively easily and inexpensively by cleaning the particulate filter. This normally happens automatically during longer journeys, but many cars could use extra support. In this blog we explain how that works.
Car manufacturers are faced with increasingly strict emission requirements. That is why various systems are being developed to reduce emissions without directly affecting engine power. However, these systems also have disadvantages. Internal pollution is a good example of this. The particulate filter, the EGR valve and the turbo, among other things, can become heavily contaminated because exhaust gases are passed through the system several times before they are emitted.
How does a particulate filter work in a car?
To start, we look at the function of the particulate filter. Many modern diesel engines are equipped with a particulate filter. The particulate filter is located in the exhaust system of a diesel engine and its purpose is to capture fine soot particles from the exhaust gases so that they do not end up in the environment.
The fine soot particles are filtered and temporarily stored in the filter. Over time, the filter becomes filled with soot and this soot must be removed. Dit gebeurt door het roet te verbranden. This process is called regenerating the particulate filter.
How does a particulate filter regenerate?
Soot only burns at a high temperature. That temperature is not always reached automatically in a particulate filter. Some brands therefore use an additive, such as Eolys, which is added to the fuel through a separate tank. Eolys is a cerium-based liquid and reduces the combustion temperature of soot. Other systems inject extra diesel fuel to increase the temperature in the filter so that the soot can still burn.
To check how much soot is stored in the filter, diesel engines with a particulate filter often have a differential pressure sensor. This sensor is connected to the front and back of the particulate filter. The pressure difference gives an indication of the amount of soot present in the filter.
The signal from the differential pressure sensor is transmitted to the car's computer. Based on this signal, the car determines whether the particulate filter needs to regenerate.
When the filter is clean, the pressure difference is small. As the filter becomes more clogged, the pressure difference increases. If this difference becomes too great, the engine will try to regenerate. Het opgeslagen roet wordt dan verbrand. This is also called cleaning the particulate filter. The burned soot largely turns into carbon dioxide and water. When other contaminants, such as oil, burn with it, ash can be formed.
A particulate filter that slowly fills with ash residues will have to regenerate more and more often. The space in which soot can be collected is becoming increasingly smaller. You notice this because the car regenerates more often, sometimes after just a few hundred kilometers.
Recommended product €26,72
How long does a particulate filter last?
A particulate filter usually lasts about 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers, depending on driving conditions, driving style and the quality of the filter. Dit is echter slechts een richtlijn. The more soot formation occurs, the more often the particulate filter must regenerate and the faster the filter can become dirty.
Read how you can extend the life of your particulate filter later in this blog.
How do I know if my particulate filter is clogged?
You can recognize a clogged particulate filter by various signals. The clearest sign is an illuminated particulate filter malfunction light. This often means that the particulate filter is clogged, although it can also indicate an electronic problem. Not every car has a separate particulate filter light. In that case, the engine management light may come on.
The lifespan of a particulate filter largely depends on driving style. When a vehicle is mainly used for short journeys, for example shorter than 20 minutes, the engine often does not have enough time to warm up properly. This creates more internal pollution and the particulate filter has to regenerate more often.
In passenger cars, a particulate filter can usually last approximately 100,000 to 180,000 kilometers. The difference is mainly determined by driving style, maintenance and conditions of use.
You can also notice a clogged particulate filter by the driving behavior of the car. Possible symptoms include increased fuel consumption, loss of power or a stuttering car.
Is your particulate filter clogged? Then you can have the particulate filter cleaned, try to clean it yourself or, in serious cases, have it replaced. In this blog we discuss the different options.
Can I continue driving with a clogged particulate filter?
In principle, it is not wise to drive for too long with a clogged particulate filter. A clogged particulate filter can cause malfunctions and increase internal pollution, because the soot cannot be properly removed from the system. In addition, the car can go into limp mode, which significantly reduces power. Fuel consumption may also increase.
Do you mainly make short journeys? Then it can help to take a longer drive on the highway, so that the engine warms up properly. This gives the car the opportunity to start the particulate filter regeneration process. We recommend using a suitable additive, as described at the bottom of this blog. This can support the regeneration process and increase the chance of success.
How much does it cost to replace a particulate filter?
Replacing a particulate filter is something you prefer to postpone for as long as possible. The costs are often high. You can usually assume at least €1000, but in many cases this amount is higher.
It is good to know that particulate filters are sometimes replaced unnecessarily. When the particulate filter malfunction light comes on, it is not always immediately clear what the cause is. As a result, replacement is sometimes chosen, while cleaning or forced regeneration is still possible.
It is of course possible that the particulate filter is actually defective. In that case, replacement is the only solution. However, in many situations there is something else going on.
A possible cause is a problem with the differential pressure sensor. This sensor transmits a signal to the computer. Based on that signal, the car determines whether regeneration is necessary. Regeneration only happens under certain conditions. For example, the car often has to drive above a minimum speed for a certain time in order to start the process.
For people who drive a lot in city traffic, often travel short distances or spend a lot of time in traffic jams, the regeneration conditions are sometimes not met. The result is that soot accumulates in the filter. Eventually, the malfunction light may come on and a message will appear about an exhaust gas problem.
The pipe or hose to the particulate filter may also be torn, the differential pressure sensor may be defective or there may be a broken wire, for example in the signal wire to the computer. All these causes can prevent automatic regeneration from taking place properly.
A garage can perform a forced regeneration with diagnostic equipment. In many cases, this allows the filter to be burned clean again.
You can also try to tackle the problem yourself with a fuel additive. Certain additives help to lower the combustion temperature of soot, making it easier for the soot to burn.
The Lindemann Total Care Diesel is an example of such an additive. If you follow the instructions carefully, you can help the particulate filter regenerate. You can read more about this later in this blog.
How can I extend the life of my particulate filter?
As described earlier, your driving style has a great influence on the lifespan of the particulate filter. Of course, you won't make unnecessarily long journeys when you don't have to. In that case, fuel additives can provide support.
The Lindemann Diesel Boost is a cleaning and protective additive for the particulate filter, but also for parts such as the fuel system, the turbo and the EGR valve.
This product increases the cetane number, resulting in better combustion. The result is less soot formation. This means that less soot ends up in the particulate filter, which can benefit the lifespan of the filter.
Good to know: soot first passes the turbo, EGR valve and partly the intake system before it is captured by the particulate filter. These parts also benefit from less soot formation. Because these parts remain cleaner and combustion improves, this can contribute to lower maintenance costs and better fuel consumption.
A bottle of Diesel Boost is easy to add to the fuel and is good for 100 liters of diesel. For most cars, this is good for about two refuelings. If you add this regularly before refueling, the product can pay for itself through better combustion and the prevention of pollution.
Recommended product €10,86
Can you clean a particulate filter yourself?
Prevention is always better than cure. However, sometimes it is already too late and you have to look for a way to clean the particulate filter. Replacing is an expensive solution.
There are two ways to clean a particulate filter. You can have it professionally cleaned at a specialized company. The costs for this are easily around €500. That is cheaper than replacing, but still a significant expense. Another option is to clean the particulate filter yourself with an additive.
With the Lindemann Total Care Diesel you can clean your particulate filter yourself. This product lowers the combustion temperature of soot, making it easier for soot to burn. In addition, it contains a high level of active cleaning substances.
These cleaning agents not only clean the particulate filter, but also the injectors, the fuel system, the turbo, EGR valve and the intake system. Hence the name Total Care Diesel.
The product is easy to add to the fuel tank. One 1 liter can is suitable for 40 to 80 liters of diesel. In this video explains how to apply the product.
It may seem strange that a €59.95 product can help solve a problem that would normally cost €500 to €1,500. There is a logical explanation for this. When a particulate filter is full of ash, an additive cannot provide a solution, because ash cannot be burned again. Electronic or mechanical defects cannot be remedied with an additive.
In practice, however, it often turns out that the problem is caused by the particulate filter not being able to burn soot properly. In that case, Total Care Diesel can help to support the regeneration process. The fact that the rest of the intake, fuel and exhaust system is also cleaned is an added advantage.
Do you want to order the product? You can go to the webshop via the “Order directly” button. With discount code DPPBLOG5 you will receive a 5% discount on your order.
Below you will find a number of experiences from customers who have used Total Care Diesel. There are more reviews on the product page.
Do you have any questions regarding this blog? Please feel free to contact us without obligation contact with us. We usually respond to emails the same day.
Recommended product €59,46
