Methods that work and don't work when cleaning a particulate filter

Diesel particulate filters, as necessary as they are problematic, are a fairly effective solution for mitigating the emission of harmful gases from diesel and gasoline engines.

The problem lies in the fact that many people who own vehicles with this anti-pollution system are unaware of the number of breakdowns that can occur due to improper use of their vehicles.

Even if you are aware of the issue and use your vehicle correctly, you should be aware that at some point the filter will become clogged, and you will have to clean it or, in the worst case, replace it.

What bad practices cause breakdowns in a diesel particulate filter?

Any element designed to filter a substance, whether liquid or gaseous, will eventually suffer what is known as clogging. This means that over time the filter element will become obstructed due to the retention caused by the particles trapped on its surface.

In the case of any engine filter, such as the oil or air filter, the problem is easily solved by simply replacing it with a new one. The change is easy and affordable.

However, particulate filters are extremely expensive, and in some cases, replacing them takes several hours of labor, which adds to the final bill.

Only make short trips

The first thing to keep in mind is that if you own a diesel vehicle manufactured between 2000 and the present, it is very likely that it has a particulate filter installed.

If you are unsure, simply ask your dealership or a specialized workshop to clarify.

One of the biggest problems with particulate filters is that they require the exhaust gases from the engine to flow forcefully through them and reach a good operating temperature to be efficient.

These two crucial factors won't be met if you drive short distances at low speeds and with a low engine load (low RPMs).

If this is your situation, you can be sure that you'll experience clogging problems in your vehicle's particulate filter very soon.

To extend the life of your particulate filter, you should take it out on the highway and drive about 30 or 40 km continuously at a high engine speed. Ideally, this should be done every one or two weeks at most; however, we know how difficult it can be to find the time in our busy lives to do this regularly.

Not changing the oil on time and/or using unsuitable oils

Proper vehicle maintenance is important for many reasons, and you should keep in mind that if your vehicle has a particulate filter (particulate filter), keeping up with regular oil and filter changes is essential to prevent breakdowns.

Using inappropriate oils or poor-quality additives will cause the particulate filter to become clogged and even destroyed.

Faults in other engine systems

From malfunctioning glow plugs to excessive oil consumption caused by the turbocharger, these issues will almost certainly lead to a clogged particulate filter.

In fact, we could say that any malfunction of the components that make up an engine could cause a particulate filter to become clogged.

Why are particulate filters so delicate?

Particulate filters are designed to trap toxic particles whose size is measured in microns. As long as the engine combustion is perfect, we won't have any problems for a long time. However, as soon as that combustion expels larger particles, they will cause the filter to become clogged.

Methods that DON'T work for cleaning a particulate filter

Now that we've established some context, let's talk about the methods that don't work when cleaning a particulate filter.

Many people, both professionals and individuals, try to clean the filter "cheaply" using methods that not only don't work but can also cause its destruction.

Using fuel additives

There are dozens of "miracle" products on the market that promise a miraculous cleaning simply by pouring the concoction into the fuel tank.

The only thing you'll achieve using this method is wasting money or, in the worst-case scenario, destroying the catalytic converter and/or the particulate filter.

At Ecumotorstock, we advise against using this method under any circumstances.

Using additives directly in the particulate filter

Several years ago, methods like this didn't exist.