DPF FAILURE

GUIDE DPF: Part 5

How can a DPF fail?
As we’ve discussed throughout this whole article, your DPF can and will fail. This is by not regenerating often enough, or regenerating too often, and too hot, and destroying the innards of the DPF. The filters in the DPF have a lifespan, so at some stage, you will need to have it replaced. Whether that’s in 12 months or 20 years’ time depends on how it’s treated and how the vehicle is driven as we talked about previously.

What does it cost to replace a DPF unit?
First off, make sure you’re sitting down. The average genuine DPF can be bought from your local dealerships spare parts department for anywhere from $7000 to $15,000. Yep, really. One third the price of a brand-spanking new HiLux.

Now that you’ve picked yourself up off the floor, you’ll be happy to know, that there are now some importers of aftermarket DPFs, which will run you between $900 and $1400 depending on model. As with many things, aftermarket is often cheaper; you’d be forgiven for going non-genuine when they want more than what your 4X4 may be worth.

Can a DPF failure cause engine failure?
For the big question; can a failed DPF cause engine failure? Not specifically, no. The amount of backpressure increases through your exhaust as the DPF gets full and puts a touch more strain on your turbo and engine components, however nothing more than an average trip out to Fraser Island.

Interestingly, if you’ve not already put two and two together and gotten 18, this is why modern vehicles have a limp mode. Sure, it’s a pain in the arse when you have an issue, and you’ve got to limp back to a mechanic, but chances are it’s saving you doing damage to your fourby.

BELOW One advantage of petrol 4WDs is no DPF to go wrong

zenith
inspire

ADVERTISEMENT

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

Is that everything you wanted to know about DPFs?
Aside from how much of an expensive pain in the bum DPFs are, we’ve got to face facts that we’re all trying to be greener, to leave the kids a better place. Not to mention that the specific particulates caught by the DPF have been shown to cause lung cancer. So we’re just going to have to live with DPFs into the future.

How can a DPF fail?
As we’ve discussed throughout this whole article, your DPF can and will fail. This is by not regenerating often enough, or regenerating too often, and too hot, and destroying the innards of the DPF. The filters in the DPF have a lifespan, so at some stage, you will need to have it replaced. Whether that’s in 12 months or 20 years’ time depends on how it’s treated and how the vehicle is driven as we talked about previously.

DPF FAILURE

GUIDE DPF: Part 5

What does it cost to replace a DPF unit?
First off, make sure you’re sitting down. The average genuine DPF can be bought from your local dealerships spare parts department for anywhere from $7000 to $15,000. Yep, really. One third the price of a brand-spanking new HiLux.

Now that you’ve picked yourself up off the floor, you’ll be happy to know, that there are now some importers of aftermarket DPFs, which will run you between $900 and $1400 depending on model. As with many things, aftermarket is often cheaper; you’d be forgiven for going non-genuine when they want more than what your 4X4 may be worth.

Can a DPF failure cause engine failure?
For the big question; can a failed DPF cause engine failure? Not specifically, no. The amount of backpressure increases through your exhaust as the DPF gets full and puts a touch more strain on your turbo and engine components, however nothing more than an average trip out to Fraser Island.

Interestingly, if you’ve not already put two and two together and gotten 18, this is why modern vehicles have a limp mode. Sure, it’s a pain in the arse when you have an issue, and you’ve got to limp back to a mechanic, but chances are it’s saving you doing damage to your fourby.

BELOW One advantage of petrol 4WDs is no DPF to go wrong

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Is that everything you wanted to know about DPFs?
Aside from how much of an expensive pain in the bum DPFs are, we’ve got to face facts that we’re all trying to be greener, to leave the kids a better place. Not to mention that the specific particulates caught by the DPF have been shown to cause lung cancer. So we’re just going to have to live with DPFs into the future.

Welcome to Unsealed 4X4

Are you hungry for the latest in 4X4 news, reviews and travel?

At Unsealed 4X4, we’ll give you up-to-date 4X4 news, reviews and how-to's to keep you in fine form.

Fullscreen