How to Clean a DPF Filter

February 4, 2022

The Rolling Rig

Keep a worry-free truck with these maintenance tips!

After diesel exhaust gases are expelled from the engine, they are directed to a filtration system that uses a Diesel Particulate Filter to remove excess soot particles. The DPF filter becomes clogged and requires cleaning. The guide below looks at how to clean an exhaust filter and how to use a particulate filter cleaner.

PASSIVE VS. ACTIVE DPF FILTER REGENERATION

How do you clean an exhaust filter? All you need to do is drive! Diesel trucks have a built-in DPF cleaner that burns off excess soot using the heat from the engine. Known as passive regeneration, this process occurs automatically when you maintain a steady highway speed for at least 45 minutes. If your DPF cleaner is dirty, but you’re not on the road long enough to complete passive regeneration, the system will begin active regeneration instead. This DPF filter cleaning mechanism works by injecting excess fuel, which raises the exhaust temperature high enough to burn off the soot and convert it to carbon dioxide.

DOES YOUR TRUCK NEED DPF CLEANING?

A dashboard warning light will flash if your DPF filter is clogged. After passive or active DPF filter cleaning begins, you may notice:

  • An acrid exhaust smell
  • That the cooling fans are engaged
  • A change in engine sound
  • Slightly reduced efficiency
  • Automatic stop/start is temporarily deactivated

HOW TO CLEAN AN EXHAUST FILTER

Excess soot inhibits the system’s regenerating ability if the DPF filter dash light remains after regeneration. So, how to clean an exhaust filter if it has become too clogged to regenerate properly? Try these methods:

  • Add a particulate filter cleaner. These products lower the combustion temperature of soot so that it burns off more easily during regeneration.
  • A pressure gun and compressed air can remove loose ash in the filter but not the stuck soot particles.
  • Pressure-wash the DPF filter with heated water, spraying in the opposite direction of the exhaust flow.
  • If all else fails, schedule service at our service center. Technicians will use a fully automatic compressed air DPF cleaning process to remove all soot, ash, or oil deposits.

FIND PROFESSIONAL DPF CLEANING SERVICE

Questions about diesel truck maintenance or selecting a particulate filter cleaner? Check out our truck maintenance guides for expert tips on using tire chains, choosing the proper diesel exhaust fluid, semi-truck brake maintenance, and more! You can also contact us or visit one of our many locations.

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International Used Truck Center 41.776180, -88.200918.