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News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:38 pmby Aaron Calder •
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Some of you may recall a lively debate in 'another place' during late 2012 in which potential problems with diesel particulate filters (DPF) were discussed. At the time I was looking to change my car and was trying to make up my mind whether or not to go down the diesel route and in the end, due to my low annual mileage and lack of opportunities for regular high speed motoring, I decided to stick with petrol.
Since 2009 all diesel cars sold in the EU must be fitted with a DPF. During use these filters become clogged with soot from the exhaust and usually self-regenerate without the driver having to do anything. However, if the car's engine management system cannot clear the DPF itself, it puts the car into 'limp home' mode so that it can be taken to a dealership to have a forced regeneration carried out using the manufacturer's diagnostic computer. If this doesn't solve the problem then a new DPF will be needed at a potential cost of in excess of £1,000 at a stroke negating any savings in fuel costs.
These problems led to the creation of a DPF removal industry that undertakes to remove your filter and reprogram the car's computer to enable it to be used without it. Until now, that is.
The VW/Audi Forum recently sent out a notice to members advising them that from February 2014 any car that was originally fitted with a DPF will fail the MOT if no filter is present. They gave a link to the following article on the Powerenhancer website which I pass on for interested people to read.
****************************
DPF Removal to Become an MOT Failure
by
Webmaster
Published on 12-13-2013 12:56 PM
The MOT test for diesel vehicles is changing from February 2014. All diesel cars originally fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) must have the DPF in place and operational during the MOT test. If it is missing then the vehicle will fail the test.
The current test only examines emissions but now technicians will have to check the filter is still present too. What we don’t yet know is if this includes modified units? For example, many companies just gut the internals but the original DPF remains. Our guess is that the vehicle would still pass on the visual inspection.
Some claim that removal is illegal citing that it contravenes the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulation 61 A, as it no longer meets emission standards applied to it when new. However, this is not always the case as there is growing evidence that DPF removal can lower emissions and even the hydrocarbon count. There are also many responsible owners that have chosen the have the DPF removed on their car whilst using a combustion catalyst to lower HCs further. The result is an engine that outputs less HC than when it had the original DPF fitted. Besides, have you ever been driving behind a diesel car that is going through a regeneration cycle? What is coming out the exhaust?!
Then there is the substantial power MPG increases to be had.
The Minister for roads, Robert Goodwill quoted: “I am very concerned that vehicles are being modified in a way that is clearly detrimental to people’s health and undoes the hard work car manufacturers have taken to improve emissions standards.
“This change to the MOT tests makes it clear – if you have this filter removed from your car it will fail the test.”
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport told us that anyone that has had the filter removed will now have to a new one put back on their car in order to pass their next MOT test.
Ignorance is bliss. What is our view? As a responsible company we want to see emissions reduced. We achieve this every day with specialist fuel modification technologies. Whilst we accept and agree that DPF removal can increase hydrocarbon output it is not always the case. When a customer with a blocked DPF approaches us for help we give them the options, the pros and cons of each, so that they can make an informed decision. In-tank DPF cleaner versus Professional DPF clean versus DPF removal etc. If opting for removal then we advise the use of a combustion catalyst such AR6200 to lower the emissions. The result is lower HCs that before, additional power, improved MPG and no more black smoke from regular regeneration cycles.
Unfortunately this choice has now been taken away from the consumer, which is a shame for those that modify emissions control components in a responsible way.
Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:07 amby Steamdrivenandy (deleted)
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I'm glad I've got one of the very last run of Cee'd SW 1.6 CRDi's without a DPF ('59 reg) if I'd purchased a '60 that looks the same it would've had one.
Thing is what do I do when I want to change?
All Eribas and my current van are within the towing ability of petrol cars, albeit with a lower mpg and a substantially lower initial purchase price than diesels.
Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:56 amby Deeps (deleted)
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Your post makes for interesting reading, Aaron, even though it only effects you lot over the pond. Until first being made aware of this DPF issue somewhere else I wasn't even aware there was an issue, and even if I had known, there's absolutely nothing that I could have done about it.
Quite a few years ago, whilst still owning a VW Golf without a DPF, I received a letter from the vehicle taxation office that in future years the road tax due on the Golf would increase by approximately 3€ a month. To avoid this increase it was further advised that I have the vehicle retro fitted with such a filter which led me to contact my local dealer. They of course were able to fit a DPF at a cost of some 530€. Simple maths shows that I would have had to retained the car for a further 177 Months (>14 years) just to break even. As the Golf already met the then, and now, emission standards I was already entitled to a 'green' windshield sticker allowing me full access into Germany's emission control zones. Needless to say, I shelved the idea.
My current VW Touran, like all models sold over the past few years, comes with a DPF as a standard fitting which is shown in the vehicles registration documents and is taxed accordingly. There is absolutely no question of removing the filter, legally that is, as this would effect the road tax classification so for good or bad, we're stuck with them.
All that said, probably a good 90% of my annual mileage could be called 'low'. There are times that I only use the car one day in the week and that is for the local tip run of roughly 4km there and back. At other times, when I have need of visiting the dentist in the neighbouring town some 10km away, the temperature gauge has only just began to lift off the zero mark. In all the time that I've owned the Touran I have yet to experience any performance issues as a result of the DPF or the car itself having gone into limp home mode and neither have I observed black smoke issuing from my, or any other vehicles exhaust, for that matter.
I am in no way being sceptical of the issues that I read about but I cannot help wondering if there are other factors involved and not simply the fact of having a DPF fitted - for example, congestion with the resultant slow crawling traffic.
2013 Triton 430, VW Touran TDI BM and a Yellow Submarine of course.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:23 amby Steamdrivenandy (deleted)
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The other DPF issue that wasn't mentioned is the situation that can occur where high fuelling to burn off gunk on the filter can cause unburned fuel to find its way into the sump oil. If the level of lubricant reaches a critical point the oil/derv mixture starts burning and the engine won't switch off, leading to eventual self destruction and the cost of a new engine. These issues tend only to happen in isolated circumstances but if you habitually drive in slow moving traffic for very short trips then a petrol driven car is advisable.
If also using it to tow, then you'd best get a bigger engine than 'normal' for the extra oomph. The lower mpg and lower purchase price will probably balance out anyway compared to a diesel. Mind you don't all have to go as far as Piccolo with his BMW760
Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:28 amby Randa france •
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Quote: Deeps wrote in post #4
As the Golf already met the then, and now, emission standards I was already entitled to a 'green' windshield sticker allowing me full access into Germany's emission control zones. .
Having no technical knowledge of the workings of the modern car engine, I have nothing much to bring to this thread apart from the following:-
For those wishing to purchase the "German Emission Control Badge" this is the cheapest place and they are also very efficient. You'll need to scan a copy of your vehicle log book to Email to them and your badge arrives within a matter of days. https://www.berlin.de/labo/kfz/dienstlei...tte.shop.en.php
This was my experience of the DPF warning light winking at me on a recent trip:-
blog-e6930-THE-DREADED-AARON-CALDER-S.html
Randa
1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:42 amby Deeps (deleted)
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In the link that, Randa, posted you'll notice there are 3 different coloured stickers - Red, Yellow and Green. The first one, Red, has now been removed from most, if not all, German cities. In other words, if the emission classification of your vehicles exhaust only qualifies for a Red sticker you will not be allowed (legally) to enter a so-called Umwelt Zones that ring German towns and villages.
Yellow is now well on the way to being removed also leaving only Green and most vehicles built in the last 5 or so years will qualify for a Green sticker. Don't count on it though - I regularly see Mercedes parked up outside of zones due to only having a Yellow sticker.
2013 Triton 430, VW Touran TDI BM and a Yellow Submarine of course.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:18 pmby ellen (deleted)
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We expect to be changing our zafira in the near future probably for the same only we did think of getting a diesel so that we would have more umph tugging uphill. Reading all this about new diesels I'm thinking maybe we should get a petrol. Our car only travels about 3 miles round trip to work daily so the only long journeys are when we go away with doo dah. Looks like we have to rethink our new car. Ellen
Proud owners of Doo-Dah our Familia 310
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:50 pmby Pop540 (deleted)
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remember the catalytic converter (fitted to the petrol engines about k reg 1991 1992?) my point is that when this was added to the MOT test, it caused some who ha, new cats prices were through the roof ect..
now prices are much lower the feared issue has reduce over the years.
(we can all enjoy listening to the lamba again)
Reading the info above, it sounds like the test method is about the same as the catalytic converter i.e make sure its there by visual inspection, and the smoke emissions test..
Eriba troll 540 likes constant hugs, and buffs and the odd cuppa.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:07 pmby Piccolo (deleted)
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There's just no substitute for petrol and for as many litres as you can squeeze under the bonnet.
Grace, space and pace - who needs diesel.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:33 pmby Aaron Calder •
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:08 pmby Piccolo (deleted)
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Because the last V12 Jaguar I had only had single overhead camshafts per bank and the current 760 has two. I know that I pinched their strap-line but, because it is so good and so in accord with what I require from a car, I thought that was permissable.
I know I'm a bit of an engine-freak and the BM certainly delivers in that regard. However, I much prefer the personality of a Jag. Soon, however, all these will be but a distant memory because I shall be seriously downsizing in the not too distant future . . .watch this space.
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:10 pmby crow (deleted)
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Ellen, I use the expensive diesel and it seems to burn more completely.
In fact the emissions on my 1.8 TDCi have come down at the M.O.T test for
the last 4-5 M.O.T's. Its the cetane's that make the difference.
I really only use the car to tow nowadays, with the occasional 15 mile run to
and from Bath or Bristol You do need to get up around 60mph for at least
half an hour regularly, say a run to a different supermarket for the weekly shop .
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RE: News about diesel particulate filters and the MOT
in Anything that's not Eriba-related. Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:23 pmby Piccolo (deleted)
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Morgan . . . yes!
+4 . . . no!
Has to be the +8 - and, the largest variety there is!
Citroen Pallas also v. good!
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