Warning Signs of a Clogged DPF in a Sprinter in Houston

The Mercedes Sprinter was built to work. Whether for business or pleasure, the Sprinter Van is designed to fit your needs, no matter what they may be. Luxury meets reliability with this versatile van. As reliable as the Sprinter can be, you will still occasionally have issues. One possible problem with a diesel vehicle is a clogged DPF Filter.

The DPF Filter

Particulate filters have been used in cars since 1985. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is installed in your Sprinter to trap diesel particulate matter, also known as soot, in the exhaust system. It prevents air pollution resulting from your exhaust polluting black fumes into the atmosphere.

A DPF retains bigger exhaust gas particles by forcing the gas to flow through the filter. As is the case with all filter’s you will need to regularly clean the DPF Filter. Blockages form after prolonged use, and these need to be cleaned out by a professional.

The DPF has an active regeneration state. It can remove soot particles and essentially clear itself to function properly. This will occur during the normal operation of the vehicle. It is done actively by introducing extremely high heat to the exhaust. This is done by taking the car to a high temperature in a short space of time. On a short trip, the vehicle must be driven at 50mph+ for a period of at least 10-15 miles, on an open road. Your exhaust and DPF will get up to full temperature and allow for regeneration to take place.

As effective as this method of cleaning the DPF, it does not work for everyone, as not all motorists can drive their vehicles at high speeds for a short time and on an open road. You may need to have the filter replaced.

Symptoms of a Blocked DPF

• DPF warning light: A clogged DPF will trigger the Diesel Particulate Filter warning light on your dashboard.
• Reduced Fuel Economy: Your DPF filter removes exhaust fumes from the car’s engine, so when it is blocked, these fumes cannot leave the engine as quickly. When this happens, you may notice reduced fuel efficiency. This will result in a buildup of fumes in your engine that can cause severe damage to its components.
• Decrease in engine performance: Poor fuel economy means poor engine performance. You will feel a noticeable decrease in acceleration power. If you try to pick up speed when going up a hill and the van feels like it lacks the power, that could be a sign of a blocked DPF filter.
• Engine Refuses to Start: If you find that you have trouble starting your van on cold days, that is an indication of a blocked filter. When the exhaust is blocked the engine has an issue starting up.
• Black Smoke: Any kind of smoke emitting from your vehicle should be a cause for concern however black smoke leaving your exhaust pipe, is an obvious indicator that your DPF filter is not working properly.
• Rough Idling: Although rough idling is a symptom of many different issues, it is safe to say when your DPF filter is clogged you will feel it in idle. A rough idle is when you feel the car vibrate or shake when the vehicle is stationary.

Preventing Clogged Filters

A clogged DPF filter does not mean that your vehicle is not drivable. However, it does mean that your vehicle is not operating at optimal performance. It is always recommended that your vehicle is regularly serviced. It is not simply to sign off your service manual, but it ensures that your vehicle operates reliably and optimally.

Keeping your engine running at its best will also reduce the likelihood of DPF issues. Regular oil changes, replacing spark plugs, and getting the filters checked will minimize soot and carbon particles emitted from the exhaust. Less emitted particles mean less chance of a blockage.

European Service Center

We are a family-owned business in operation since 1979. If you are in Texas or Georgia, visit us at any one of our 8 locations. Our professional technicians are waiting to service your vehicle at one of our full-service auto shops closest to you.

If you are in Alpharetta, Chamblee, Norcross, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, or Atlanta, GA book an appointment with us today! We look forward to helping you maintain your Sprinter so it performs at its best for you.

* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter image credit goes to: Aliaksandr Litviniuk.