BMW & Mini DPF Filters

DPF Blocked? No Problem

BMW Diesel Particulate Filter issues are very common.
Ignoring a DPF warning on the dash is tempting, especially when it resets, but this tends to lead to a non-runner.
Dragon Automotive can help, get in touch today!

What We Can Do For You

Initial Assessment

We start with a code scan, this will identify any DPF fault codes.

DPF Diagnostics

If a fault with the system is suggested, we have a test plan to diagnose the cause

DPF Repairs


Once diagnosis is complete, we offer a variety of repair solutions
Find out more!

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What is it?

DPF Emissions Control

A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), sometimes called FAP on French vehicles, is a filter designed to collect the diesel particulate matter (carbon soot) from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine.

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What does it do?

DPF Soot Accumulation

The particulate accumulates in the filter and this needs to be emptied for the filter to continue functioning. The filter burns the particulate at very high temperatures before blasting the treated content out the exhaust.

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What else is involved?

DPF Sensors, DPF PAT Fluid

DPF Sensors monitor the accumulation of soot to calculate when regen is required, temperature is also monitored and controlled. Some DPF systems have a DPF PAT fluid system to assist with regen cycles, often by allowing the regen to occur at a lower temperature. The fluid will need renewal periodically.

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Does cleaning a DPF work?

Yes, IF it's done right

A high quality chemical properly and directly applied to the DPF filter will always work provided the filter isn't starting to collapse. We have successfully cleaned DPF filters that were so blocked that the vehicle no longer ran or started.

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Are there any pitfalls to cleaning?

Yes, unfortunately

Cleaning a DPF filter has the same pitfalls as replacing it. Whilst we guarantee to unblock a blocked DPF, we cannot guarantee to keep it unblocked. This is why we always perform an initial assessment before we agree to any DPF works.

Why do DPF filters block?

Driving Style

The way you drive your car often leads to the DPF blocking. Short journeys, switching the car off whilst its performing a regen (DPF light comes on and people switch the car off despite the handbook advising against). Normally driving style affects the earlier DPF filters more, pre 2010 cars.

Age of the Filter

At some point the filter will start to break up, this happens in about 10% of all the DPF filters that we see. Typically with over 150,000 miles on the car or where lots of short journeys with excessive regens. Basically because the filter goes through hot and cold cycles it evenautally cracks.

Upstream Problems

EGR, Pressure Sensors, Injectors, Air Leaks, MAF, Turbo and a whole host of other problems can easily cause your DPF to block. We often repair vehicles that have had a DPF filter cleaned or replaced elsewhere only for the filter to block within a matter of days or weeks due to an underlying issue upstream.

Complete DPF Solutions from Dragon Automotive

From £55 for an Initial Assessment

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