JLM offers the following tips for diagnosing, fixing and preventing a blocked Diesel Particulate Filter

Diesel Particulate Filters perform an important function in modern diesel-powered cars, capturing and storing exhaust soot and ash in a honeycomb-shaped substrate made from a special, ceramic material. Those particulates are then burned off as the filter regenerates.
However, when a DPF does not reach the temperature required to burn off the soot and ash trapped inside the ceramic honeycomb filter, these particulates will build up and eventually prevent the DPF from working properly.
What follows is a loss of performance, lack of power and torque, and harmful pollutants being released into the atmosphere and, quite often, into the cabin.
In the most severe cases, a DPF needs to be replaced or removed and professionally cleaned in a high-temperature, high-pressure DPF cleaning machine. However, if diagnosed early, a blocked DPF can be successfully treated without having to remove it from the vehicle.

Diagnosis
The common signs of a blocked DPF are increased fuel and oil consumption, poor engine performance, reduced turbo performance, increased idle speed and finally a “Check Engine” or a “DPF” warning light.
JLM says the easiest way to diagnose the severity of your DPF blockage is using a back-pressure test tool, like the JLM Manometer.
It explains this compact, digital instrument is “one of the most useful diagnostic tools in an automotive professional’s arsenal” and can be used to check any automotive pressure sensor.

On-car solutions for small blockages
For blockages up to 30mbar, JLM recommends the use of JLM Diesel DPF Cleaner.
It explains this solution is effective at targeted and preventative cleaning of the entire exhaust path of diesel engines with a particulate filter.
As well as cleaning the soot filter, it also reduces air-polluting particulate matter hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and soot emissions. To use, simply pour the JLM DPF cleaner into your diesel fuel tank.
If the blockage is at, or slightly over 30mbar, JLM says you should step up to JLM Diesel DPF Cleaner Heavy Duty.
This solution contains a higher concentration of active additives and is recommended for trucks and commercial fleets.
The JLM DPF Cleaner Heavy Duty also conditions the engine and diesel particulate filter resulting in better performance and lower fuel consumption, says JLM, which states it should be added to the diesel fuel tank after refilling.

On-car solutions for medium blockages
DPFs with blockages up to 80mbar can fail official emissions tests.
JLM explains its JLM Diesel DPF Spray comes in a handy aerosol can and contains a high concentration of active ingredients.
It cleans and regenerates dirty and blocked diesel particulate filters by reducing the combustion temperature of particulate, making it combust earlier and faster at a lower engine temperature.
To use, simply spray JLM Diesel DPF Spray into the particulate filter, prior to forced regeneration (by means of a test drive or OBD) to clean the filter.

On-car solutions for heavy blockages
When encountered with a blockage of over 80mbar, JLM says it is time to reach for the big guns.
It recommends the JLM Diesel DPF Cleaning Toolkit, stating it is “the most potent, on-car, DPF cleaning option available to workshops.”
In combination with the JLM Diesel DPF Cleaning and Flush Fluid Pack, it employs a two-step method of loosening and then removing the soot trapped in the ceramic filter.
The first fluid is a strong pre-soaking cleaner that pre-treats and loosens the soot and grease. After loosening the particulate matter, the flush or rinsing fluid flushes the filter until it is thoroughly clean.
This disperses ash from the soot particles throughout the diesel particulate filter, pulling them apart from each other. The soot is then effectively burnt off during the forced regeneration.

Prevention
To prevent a diesel particulate filter from becoming blocked, JLM says you should use a DPF additive like the JLM Diesel DPF ReGen Plus.
This solution supports the regeneration process resulting in a more complete oxidation of soot and an overall improvement of DPF performance.
The high concentration of active ingredients in DPF ReGen Plus ensures soot in the filter burns at a lower temperature and therefore burns sooner and better.
It is particularly suitable for commercial vehicles or passenger cars that primarily make short journeys, or frequently operate at low speeds.
Based in The Netherlands, JLM Lubricants explains it is one Europe’s leading manufacturers of fuel additives.

For more information, contact JLM Lubricants Australia on 02 9133 3855 or visit JLM Lubricants at the Australian Aftermarket Auto Expo on Stand Q23.