Since the year 2007, road-going diesel engines have been placed under emissions restrictions in order to help prevent heavy emissions.  Initially, in the early 2000s manufacturers experimented with exhaust gas recirculation or EGR in order to help obtain a cleaner burn.  Then, in 2007, diesel particulate filters became mandatory through the EPA in order to help trap soot emissions and NOx.  DPF Filters are designed to trap the two pollutants and periodically clean itself through regeneration. Our friends over at Scheid Diesel are set up to help with the process too.

The regeneration process is done by injecting fuel into the engine while the piston at the bottom of its stroke to create an extreme amount of heat.  This heat then burns the trapped ash that is in the DPF which wasn’t burnt out from the regular function of the DPF.  While this filter sounds like it should be a completely self-sustaining system, oftentimes in real-world driving or circumstances that vary from the manufactures operating conditions these filters have to be removed and cleaned more extensively.

Photo: Banks Power

Gregg Jolly of Scheid Diesel in an interview stated, “We have invested in DPF cleaning equipment that allows us the ability to remove the soot/ash from DPF filter.” With new state of the art cleaning apparatus, They are now able to clean and service your DPF to manufacturers’ standards.  Flow numbers in comparison to factory specifications can be provided after the cleaning service in order to inform customers of proper cleaning.

Why should you care about the health of your DPF anyways?  The knowledgeable people at Scheid would like you to know that periodically cleaning your filter can help aid in fuel mileage as well as reduce downtime and money spent in the future.  When a filter is clogged, it generates high backpressure in the engine’s exhaust system.

“The cleaning process allows us the ability to reuse the DPF filter on the equipment saving potentially thousands of dollars on emissions repairs. This excess pressure dictates that the engine has to work harder through more fuel injection to scavenge exhaust out thus decreasing the fuel mileage,” Jolly said. “These filters can be very expensive ranging anywhere from $2,300-$8,000 if a replacement is required.  Periodically cleaning can help maintain the filter and prevent it from permeant damage.”

Scheid’s new FSX cleaning system is the world’s most advanced DPF filter cleaner which will ensure the job is done correctly.  They also inform customers that their technicians can remove the filter if they are unable to remove it themselves. Scheid Diesel is working to help find a cost-effective solution to keep emissions intact vehicles on the road.

If the filter is beyond repair, due to oil soak or other circumstances like a damaged media, Scheid will be able to offer replacements to get customers back on the road in a timely manner.  Jolly continued, “With new technologies come new obstacles. However, this means there are opportunities for businesses to help improve on customer experience and longevity of products to help keep the air clean and your diesel emissions compliant.”

For further information on DPF maintenance, you can check out the Scheid Diesel website or give them a call. For more information on tech write-ups and new services from our industry, stay tuned to Diesel Army.