A diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps the soot your engine makes so it doesn't leave the tailpipe. Regeneration burns most of that soot off, but it leaves ash behind. Ash only comes out when the filter is removed and cleaned.
Here's what a professional DPF cleaning does for your truck or equipment, and how to get a filter to our South Bend cleaning plant.
It Removes the Ash That Regens Can't
Every DPF fills with two kinds of buildup:
- Soot burns off during passive and active regeneration.
- Ash is left mostly by additives in engine oil. It doesn't burn, so it stays in the filter.
As ash builds up, the filter has less room to hold soot. Regens come more often, backpressure climbs and the warning light returns sooner. An off-vehicle cleaning removes the ash and gives the filter its capacity back.
It Lowers Backpressure
A loaded filter makes the engine push harder to move exhaust out. That extra backpressure shows up as slower acceleration, trouble holding speed under load, higher exhaust temperatures and, eventually, a derate. Restoring airflow through the filter takes that load off the engine.
It Cuts Down on Regens and Wasted Fuel
Active regens use extra fuel to heat the filter. When a filter is full of ash, the engine regenerates more often and gets less out of each regen. A clean filter can go longer between regens, which saves fuel and reduces downtime from parked regens.
It Keeps Your Emissions System Working
The DPF is a key part of meeting EPA emissions standards for diesel engines. A filter that's working properly keeps particulate matter out of the air. Keeping the filter clean also protects the parts around it, including the DOC, sensors and turbo, from the heat and pressure a restricted filter can cause.
It Extends the Life of the Filter
Replacement DPFs are expensive. Regular cleaning on your engine maker's schedule helps a healthy filter last, so you're not buying a new one before you need to. If a filter does need replacing, see DPF cleaning vs. replacement.
What Our Cleaning Includes
Diesel DPF Cleaning is a Cummins-approved cleaning center and a Clean Diesel Specialists licensee. Our process is Cummins-approved because we follow the Clean Diesel Specialists 8-step procedure on Cummins-approved aqueous cleaning equipment from EnviroMotive. Every DPF goes through these steps:
- Initial inspection: We check the filter for external damage, contamination and wear.
- Record and document: We record the filter's airflow, weight and condition as a baseline.
- Blast cleaning: Compressed air knocks loose the larger soot and ash particles.
- Aqueous cleaning: A high-pressure water flush reaches deep into the filter to remove fine particles that air alone can miss.
- Drying: All moisture is removed before heat treatment.
- Thermal regeneration: The filter is heat-treated at controlled temperatures to burn off any remaining fine particulates.
- Cooling and final check: After cooling, we run a final airflow test and structural check.
- Package and document: The filter is sealed, labeled and returned with documentation of the cleaning results.
If the inspection finds a crack, melting or contamination, we'll contact you before going further. See our full cleaning process.
Pricing and Turnaround
- DPF cleaning: $300, with 24-hour turnaround once your filter arrives
- DOC cleaning: $80 when cleaned with a DPF, or $300 on its own
- EGR cooler cleaning: $300, with 48-hour turnaround
- Save $25 per item when you drop off and pick up at our cleaning plant
Getting Your Filter to Us
- Drop off and pick up at our cleaning plant: 215 Ullery St, Unit 2, South Bend, IN 46637.
- Free pickup and delivery for DPF cleaning within 90 miles of our cleaning plant. See our pickup area and drop-off guide.
- Ship it in: call first and we'll help you get it here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a DPF need cleaning?
Follow your engine manufacturer's service schedule for DPF ash cleaning. Clean sooner if regens become frequent, the DPF light keeps coming back or you lose power. See signs your DPF needs cleaning.
Will cleaning fix a DPF warning light?
If the light is caused by soot and ash, cleaning usually solves it. If it's caused by a failed sensor, a cracked sensor line or a damaged filter, cleaning won't fix it, so check those first.
Do you clean DPFs for pickups as well as semis?
Yes. We clean filters for heavy-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, pickups, farm equipment and other diesel equipment, including Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Ford, Duramax, Volvo and Isuzu engines.
Schedule Your DPF Cleaning
Call 574-213-8691 or email dieseldpfcleaning@gmail.com, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern. Have your engine make and model, filter part number and any fault codes ready.