Not Stag related, emmission testing , mixtures etc

[V Mad]

This is why it is often recommended to give the car a blast.

You see officer, my DPF was blocked, and so I had to clear it, I didn't want to drive so fast, really.

[aerosilver]

You see officer, my DPF was blocked, and so I had to clear it, I didn't want to drive so fast, really.

I'll have to remember that one...

[jleyton]

Hi Guys,

Chris, if you'd like to try that and let me know how you get on, it would be great

Dave, that sounds just about right for a system (such as the VAG one I believe) that doesn't utilise the fuel additive to assist the burn off.

Jeff, I don't know for sure, and I guess it will depend upon manufacturer and model, but I wouldn't have thought that would be a worry. Might be worth checking the current drain (those heater plugs do use a fair bit) and that it does stop when your light goes out.

And below, just for the hell of it , is me as 'Doctor Diesel' when we introduced the first Common Rail Diesel engine in the UK - the guy with me has the old fashioned diesel pump and I've got the common rail.

Cheers

Julian

02.jpg

[jakesmig]

Julian,

Your explanation coincides with my understanding of the systems, and your second last paragraph hints at some of the underlying problem with the system which most diesels appear to operate. The majority of diesels generally just plod about and rarely reach a high enough temperature to clear the systems effectively and the soot content within the filter element increases until the unit becomes choked. A franchised dealer won't clean them, because its 'not what they do' and local garages will attempt to clear them with limited success. My local garage is constantly dealing with cars that have choked DPF filters who have owners who were never given an explanation of the pitfalls of owning a modern diesel car.

Unless the car industry pulls their socks up and introduces a reliable DPF system then, IMO, car owners will move away from diesel fueled cars.

It does seem somewhat ironic that to cut down on particle emissions, the car industry opts for a system which burns off 'excessive' fuel in order to try to incinerate the soot within the system and in doing so the incineration deliberately increases the emission of CO2, which the greenie weenies allege is a greenhouse gas responsible for creating climate change. As if.

John

[wilf]

Not only that John, but the DPF is a major obstruction in the exhaust flow, too.

All the people I know who have had them removed (not a simple process) report far better performance and economy afterwards. Of course, a removed DPF is now a MOT fail point.

Rather than blame the motor industry, we should be blaming the Euro-wonks who legislated for them in the first place.

Anyone considering a small diesel engine car for mostly urban use should be advised to buy petrol instead.

[jleyton]

Rather than blame the motor industry, we should be blaming the Euro-wonks who legislated for them in the first place.

Anyone considering a small diesel engine car for mostly urban use should be advised to buy petrol instead.

I totally agree Wilf - and it's the same with catalysts in petrol cars - they use more fuel. Having said that, both catalysts and DPFs do make emissions significantly cleaner and, although I'm no great environmentalist, shouldn't we all be prepared to do our bit for a cleaner environment ?

I don't remember the figures exactly but something like one car 30 years ago produced a similar level of emissions to 30 or 40 of today's cars. That's some sock-pulling by the car industry isn't it ?

Julian,

Unless the car industry pulls their socks up and introduces a reliable DPF system then, IMO, car owners will move away from diesel fueled cars.

John

John,

I know I'm biased, but I honestly believe that the Citroen Peugeot system is a reliable DPF system and, because of the Eolys additive, it virtually never needs the 'blast', as described by Dave, to clear it.

Also bear in mind that many of today's cars can return 50+ mpg in daily running (and yes, I do know all about the discrepancies between real figures and the figures that manufacturers have to quote) whereas, as we know only too well, 20 odd wasn't uncommon all that long ago.

Cheers

Julian

[jakesmig]

Julian,

Yes, I believe the additive system of DPF is a superior beast but I have no experience of these so can't offer an opinion. I should have made it clearer my gripe was with the non additive systems.

John.