How long for the DPF?

[andyffc]

Does any one know how long a DPF filter is supposed to last and how often you are supposed to change it?

Thanks.

 

[foxy367]

Does any one know how long a DPF filter is supposed to last and how often you are supposed to change it?

Thanks.

I don't think they need changing unless they become totally bunged up with soot, which would take thousands of city miles I would suspect. The regen process is meant to keep the capacity clear.

 

[Nath.]

The regen process is meant to keep the capacity clear.

Yep, it collects all the shite in the DPF when you are driving round town and then spits it out when you drive on faster roads in the countryside or on the motorway.

 

[Michael B]

^^ I think you boys are missing the point. What andy is maybe asking is how long the DPF unit lasts? I mean say my FR TDI reaches 120,000miles, is it going to pack in? Nothing is designed to last for ever.

 

[InfernalBadger]

It seems more like he's assuming it's a consumable part, I'm not saying it should last the life of the car but there is no presentation-defined replacement schedule afaik. Should last a lot longer than brakes or tyres for example.

 

[alx_chung]

It seems more like he's assuming it's a consumable part, I'm not saying it should last the life of the car but there is no presentation-defined replacement schedule afaik. Should last a lot longer than brakes or tyres for example.

I have to agree with the above. It seems like the OP is assuming that the DPF is a consumable like the air or pollen filter.
The DPF should last the lifespan of the car and should definitely last a lot longer than the usual consumables like the brakes, tyres and clutch.
Alex

 

[Michael B]

I do know that if it goes and I still have the car, and its outside the warranty period, a straight through pipe will be going on hehe

 

[Chan_P1_TDi_FR]

I'm probably gonna get rid of my DPF before it requires changing. in fact i hope to get rid of it within a yr when the dpf-off remaps become available. the regeneration cycle is more hassle than good. you use more fuel, plus to clear it properly u need to uses more fuel than necessary. all-in-all the DPF is a heep of poo.

 

[phil3012]

It's a very good question, but unfortunately don't know the answer.

Catalytic converters were always supposed to last the life of the car when they were originally designed however this wasn't the case under real use and they normally need changing once.

 

[andyffc]

Yes I was assuming the DPF is a consumable part. This is because when I took the lease out on this car I was told they would know if I had exceeded my milage allowance because apparantly acording to the sales pleb the DFP clogs up and needs replacing after 20000 miles.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

My plan was clock the car back when it needs it's first service, and service it myself. Then when it hits 10000 miles again I was gonna take it to the dealers to get it "serviced" and get the stamp in the book.
If it is the case that the DPF needs to be changed at 20k then I am gonna have to think of palming this car off onto one of my staff and ordering a petrol FR.

 

[/dev/null]

Yes I was assuming the DPF is a consumable part. This is because when I took the lease out on this car I was told they would know if I had exceeded my milage allowance because apparantly acording to the sales pleb the DFP clogs up and needs replacing after 20000 miles.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

No it doesn't. I'm on 40K and it's still fine - others on here will be on here with far more and still fine.


Also, you'll struggle to get it replaced under warranty - SEAT apparently see it as a consumable, albeit one that lasts a long time! Probably because they're so touch-and-go!

 

[andyffc]

No it doesn't. I'm on 40K and it's still fine - others on here will be on here with far more and still fine.


Also, you'll struggle to get it replaced under warranty - SEAT apparently see it as a consumable, albeit one that lasts a long time! Probably because they're so touch-and-go!

Is it normal for DPF to come on about twice a week or do you think I got probs?

 

[Wolves73]

The DPF fills with soot , when on the motorway at a steady speed the ecu changes the timing to heat the exhaust gasses to around 500 degrees to burn of the particles. There is an additional tank which holds fluid called Eolys based on cerium,a small amount is mixed with your fuel when you fill up the car. The Eolys helps with the burning process but also has a clogging effect on the DPF so if you are lucky you may do 80K without the unit having to be removed and cleaned.
Problems occur if the car is only used for urban driving only as the car does not get a chance to burn of the particles. Also the cerine tank needs to be refilled at some pont. Typicaly the tank holds 5 litres and Eolys costs around £25 per litre. I had one on my 2.2hdi citroen briefly before I removed it as it blocks to quickly when your car is chipped.

 

[NickP]

Is it normal for DPF to come on about twice a week or do you think I got probs?

I've had mine for 14 months and have covered just over 20k - I've not had the light on once yet

 

[/dev/null]

Is it normal for DPF to come on about twice a week or do you think I got probs?

Depends what kind of driving you do. If you do a lot of driving through town then could you change your route slightly and go say around the town on a dual carriageway/motorway instead?

 

[andyffc]

Depends what kind of driving you do. If you do a lot of driving through town then could you change your route slightly and go say around the town on a dual carriageway/motorway instead?

Living and working where I do, I'm 9 times out of 10 either sitting in slow traffic or on A roads driving like a loon.

The DPF light only seems to come on after sitting in traffic for stupid amounts of time. So I guess thats why I get it about twice a week.

I think Seat are taking the fookin wii by trying to dodge replacing it under warranty due to "driving style."
I suppose it all boils down to where you live and work. Looks like anyone in a large city is gonna be constantly fighting with the dam DPF.

 

[Michael B]

The DPF fills with soot , when on the motorway at a steady speed the ecu changes the timing to heat the exhaust gasses to around 500 degrees to burn of the particles. There is an additional tank which holds fluid called Eolys based on cerium,a small amount is mixed with your fuel when you fill up the car. The Eolys helps with the burning process but also has a clogging effect on the DPF so if you are lucky you may do 80K without the unit having to be removed and cleaned.
Problems occur if the car is only used for urban driving only as the car does not get a chance to burn of the particles. Also the cerine tank needs to be refilled at some pont. Typicaly the tank holds 5 litres and Eolys costs around £25 per litre. I had one on my 2.2hdi citroen briefly before I removed it as it blocks to quickly when your car is chipped.

Wrong about the addition of the fluid, there are two haphazard ways to meet emission standards - by putting in a physical filter (ie the DPF) or using an additive with the fuel (like that your are talking about, essentialy watered down Urea IIRC). Seat use the former, not a combination of the both !

 

[/dev/null]

Living and working where I do, I'm 9 times out of 10 either sitting in slow traffic or on A roads driving like a loon.

The DPF light only seems to come on after sitting in traffic for stupid amounts of time. So I guess thats why I get it about twice a week.

I think Seat are taking the fookin wii by trying to dodge replacing it under warranty due to "driving style."
I suppose it all boils down to where you live and work. Looks like anyone in a large city is gonna be constantly fighting with the dam DPF.

Yep, that's exactly what causes the problems. Luckily I drive about 20 miles on the motorway to work each way every day so it gets time to burn off. I've had the light on a couple of times over weekends when I've done a lot of town driving but I found that a quick run down the bypass (luckily we have one nearby!) sorts it out.

It certainly is cheeky of them because when you buy a car you expect to be able to drive it where you want, not be unable to drive it through town!

 

[andyffc]

Yep, that's exactly what causes the problems. Luckily I drive about 20 miles on the motorway to work each way every day so it gets time to burn off. I've had the light on a couple of times over weekends when I've done a lot of town driving but I found that a quick run down the bypass (luckily we have one nearby!) sorts it out.

It certainly is cheeky of them because when you buy a car you expect to be able to drive it where you want, not be unable to drive it through town!

So basically if you live and work in London there is no point getting any car with a DPF.

Wish the manafacturers would tell you about it befoe hand

 

[/dev/null]

They should give you a leaflet at the time, explaining the DPF. Someone posted a scan of it on here a while back. I certainly wouldn't fancy having to put up with the DPF if I lived in London, lol!