Does removing DPF improve performance?
DPF BENEFITS
There are three key benefits associated with DPF delete: more engine power, better fuel economy, and reduced maintenance costs. More power: After deleting the DPF, most owners report a better performing, faster responding engine. Better fuel economy: Fuel economy is a big winner after deleting the DPF.
Getting rid of them will net you minor power increases at best and a criminal record at worst, so it's safe to say that DPF and EGR deletes aren't worth the effort and cost.
BENEFITS OF DPF REMOVAL - DPF DELETE
Improved power output of the vehicle. We have tested many vehicle's on our dynamometer before and after DPF removal and every single one has provided a performance gain. An example of one is the Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75bhp which gained 8bhp and 10lbft after having DPF removal.
INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER
Therefore, when the DPF is clogged, exhaust gasses cannot escape the engine as quickly as they should. The accumulation of exhaust gasses affects the engine's overall performance, making it feel weaker.
In many cases, a proper DPF delete will result in gaining over 100-horsepower while improving your fuel mileage and the lifetime of your vehicle.
After installing a DPF delete kit, you'll notice significantly increased horsepower and fuel economy. As an added bonus, you'll add at least a few extra years onto your vehicle's life.
The increase in back pressure is commonly measured as an increase in pressure differential, or pressure drop, across the DPF. This increase in pressure drop negatively impacts fuel economy.
Removing your DPF will make a bigger difference, depending on your engine, around +10% power increase, and also less fuel consumption.
Legality of Deletes
If you, or the shop doing the work, is caught and prosecuted, the EPA can assess a fine of up to $4,527 for each “tampering event or defeat device,” in accordance with Section 205(a) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. § 7524(a), and 40 CFR Part 19.
As a functioning DPF is vital for a functioning exhaust system, blockages can have knock-on effects that cause your engine to perform poorly. If your engine cannot easily vent exhaust because of a blocked DPF, then it will struggle to cycle, reducing the power output and acceleration of your vehicle in extreme cases.
Can a DPF damage a turbo?
There are many articles and technical documents relating to how a faulty turbo can lead to DPF damage, however, the DPF is actually responsible for more turbo related failures than you might think.
During active regeneration, the DPF should be clear after around 10 minutes of driving at over 40mph. Problems can occur if the journey isn't long enough for the process to complete, and you'll get a warning on the dashboard to tell you the DPF is still partially blocked.
In short, no. It is illegal to drive a diesel car without a DPF, as by removing it your car will no longer meet emission standards.
A blocked DPF can lead to a build-up of exhaust gases and excessive pressure which can cause damage to the exhaust system and even to the engine itself. The drive would experience lack of engine performance and in severe cases vehicle will not be able to be driven.
While it's not illegal to remove a car's DPF, it is illegal to drive without it if one should be fitted.
Since 2009, manufacturers of diesel cars have been legally required to fit all diesel cars with DPFs, so all modern diesel cars have DPFs installed. Subsequently, the only way to find a diesel car without a DPF is to buy an older diesel car under 2.5l which was manufactured before the Euro 5 regulations.
REDUCE IDLING
Even at low engine speeds particulates are emitted by your engine, so keeping your engine ticking over when you're parked or not moving can clog your filter quicker, because DPF regeneration cannot occur at idle.
When an EGR valve becomes clogged or stuck close, it can increase the amount of diesel soot passed on to the DPF, contributing towards faster blockage. A clogged EGR valve alone can cause a rough idle and heavy knocking, both of which are tell-tale signs of pre-detonation.
How long should a DPF last? A DPF can last up to around 100,000 miles if maintained properly. After the car has exceeded that mileage, you could be looking at paying a large amount of money for a replacement - so always properly check MoT and service records when buying a used car.
According to EPA regulations, it's against the law to tamper with emissions equipment in any way, including performing a truck delete. Alongside the federal laws that ban the kits, many state and local municipalities prohibit them too.
Does removing DPF cause black smoke?
The DPF (diesel particulate filter) is used as a massive cigarette filter for the engine. As exhaust passes through the DPF, the soot/carbon is picked up. Without a filter to grab the soot, the smoke would be blacker than with a DPF. removing the DPF may cause black smoke or just a slightly darker exhaust.
DPF regeneration performance was investigated under real driving conditions. Fuel consumption was increased by 13% for a 19-km trip with DPF regeneration. CO and THC emission factors were increased moderately during DPF regeneration. Total NOx was unaffected but NO2/NOx ratio was greatly reduced by DPF regeneration.
Anytime a turbocharger ingests something — be it dirt, dust, a shop rag or a bolt left in the intake — it can spell disaster. Unfortunately, outside debris making its way across the blades of a compressor wheel (the intake side) accounts for 80 percent of all turbo failures.
reduced fuel economy. poor throttle response. excessive exhaust fumes. a hot and pungent smell from the engine.
Regeneration, or regen, of the DPF filter, is the process that burns the soot accumulation that is inside the DPF filter. If you can no longer start a regen then you will eventually get stuck in a derate which will then lead to an engine shut down.
How Often Does DPF Regeneration Occur? Active regeneration happens roughly every 300 miles and is triggered by your car's electronic control unit (ECU) once your soot level is approaching 40 to 45%. Passive regeneration should occur when you take your car on longer journeys at higher speeds.
So how do you tell that your engine is performing an active DPF regeneration? One signal to look for is your cooling fans running at a higher capacity than normal, or the sound of your engine may change note. Sometimes, a hot and pungent smell can also start coming from your engine as the soot is being burned away.
A blocked DPF can cause severe damage to your engine. This is because your engine is having to work a lot harder to vent the exhaust fumes that your blocked DPF is failing to. This can lead to weakened acceleration, increased fuel consumption, and the risk of leaks.
If a filter has been removed, the car will fail its MOT. Removing the DPF will sometimes cause the warning light to glow – and this itself is an MOT failure point: no dashboard warning lights should remain on during the test.
The main reason not to carry out a DPF delete is that when your vehicle is due for an MOT test, it will fail (if tested correctly). This will make your vehicle unroadworthy and unable to get a road fund licence, and therefore illegal.
Does a blocked DPF affect performance?
A blocked DPF can force exhaust gas through the smallest of gaps, including the clearances in the bearing housing VNT lever arm and turbine housing waste gate mechanisms. If this occurs, carbon build up in these mechanisms can restrict movement of the levers affecting performance of the turbo.
Does DPF Removal Improve Performance? Yes, it does improve the overall performance of the vehicle. It helps with many aspects, including giving better fuel mileage and showing improved engine performance. It is noted that the vehicle runs smoother and the engine works more efficiently.
The absence of the DPF automatically eliminates the risk of clogging and fouling of the part. It is also no longer necessary to worry about regenerating the filter or monitoring the level of additive, for vehicles with an additivated DPF.
The increase in back pressure is commonly measured as an increase in pressure differential, or pressure drop, across the DPF. This increase in pressure drop negatively impacts fuel economy.
You should consult the handbook for your vehicle for more specific guidance on how you should drive to initiate regeneration of the DPF and clear the warning light. Nevertheless, a general rule of thumb to follow is that you should run the engine at least 40 mph and at least 2500 rpm.
How to clean a DPF while driving ? To properly clean the Diesel Particulate Filter while driving, you will need to ride. The highway represents an ideal ground for this exercise, but simple roads will do the business. Maintain an engine speed of at least 3,000 rpm.