DPF pressure pipes

Published: 01 November, 2017

BM Catalysts’ DPF pressure pipe range currently covers in excess of over 600 vehicle fitments. 48% of its DPF range now have the associated pressure pipes available for order.

A DPF pressure pipe is a metal tube which connects the DPF unit to the DPF pressure sensor. This allows the sensors to accurately measure the inlet and outlet pressures of the DPF.

There are two variants of a Pressure Pipe – fixed (welded into and supplied with the DPF unit) and detachable (screw in and supplied separately).

The entire pressure pipes range at BM Catalysts is made from high-quality 304 grade stainless steel to ensure optimum durability.

www.bmcatalysts.co.uk

Don’t follow the fault code – follow the smoke signals
When this 2010 Vauxhall Insignia arrived at our workshop recently, we were asked the common question: “How much to clean my DPF?” As always, we informed the customer the first thing we needed to do was to undertake an assessment, so we could determine why the car was having DPF problems and what was required to fix it. This assessment is much more than a fault code read, often perceived as a ‘diagnostic check’ and this highlights the difference. The fault codes present on the car were ‘P2453 DPF Pressure Sensor A Circuit Range Performance’ and ‘P2458 Mass Air Flow Sensor Performance’.

Opening the bonnet, we were not surprised to see a new MAF sensor and a new DPF pressure sensor. This is frustrating as the owner has paid for these unnecessary parts to be fitted on the basis that ‘the computer said they were faulty’.

Looking at the DPF pressure sensor fault first, the ECU was reporting a circuit range fault. This may look like a faulty sensor but is in fact caused by excessive DPF pressure. The pressure is measured by the sensor. The signal is sent back to the ECU as a voltage so the excess pressure causes an excess voltage signal and in turn the ECU reports what it can see. The DPF back pressure was in excess of 150MB at idle indicating we must clean the DPF after addressing the cause of the problem.

Moving on to the MAF performance fault. Again, the ECU only reports what it sees as incorrect; in this case incorrect air flow. This is obvious when analysing live serial data so our next step was testing the intake system for leaks to confirm our suspicions. As you can see there was a significant leak from an intercooler pipe. We found a cause for both issues. The split pipe would have initially caused the MAF fault but in turn would lead to the DPF pressure sensor fault due to the excessive soot being produced with the major boost leak.

After consulting the customer, we repaired the car, replacing the intercooler pipe. Root cause now taken care of we had the easy part – cleaning the DPF. Our weapon of choice for DPF cleaning is always the JLM Lubricants’ Clean & Flush. With the step one chemical we left it to soak for a few minutes. After running the engine for a few minutes, we flushed the DPF out with the step two JLM DPF flush.

After the clean we had a healthy 6MB of back pressure in the DPF and the pressure sensor fault was cleared. An extended road test confirmed the fix.
DPF gun particulate filter cleaning fluid
Launch UK recently introduced its diesel particulate filter (DPF) gun to its range of diagnostic equipment. This is complemented by the DPF gun particulate filter cleaning fluid.
Variohm EPT2105
Variohm EuroSensor has expanded its range of pressure sensors with the new low-cost EPT2105 series for a 0.5-4.5 V ratiometric output in two measurement range options of 10 and 12 bar. With its silicon pressure cell design based on Variohm’s EPT2100 series, the new sensor replaces the 2100’s stainless steel casing with a moulded glass fibre reinforced Polyamide housing. With IP66 sealing, this sensor integrates an M18 x 1.5 pressure port and a Packard connector for installation convenience. Life expectancy is more than 10 million operations.
www.variohm.com
Exact Fit - TRICO launches new display
TRICO has unveiled its new planogram design with signage, which allows retailers to display its entire Exact Fit range to customers – using just a single two-metre bay. The Exact Fit programme is a comprehensive range of direct fit, OE replacement blades, with almost 150 references giving 99% front and rear wiper coverage.
First Line: Oil sumps
First Line offers a range of more than 20 oil sumps that cater for the most popular applications. The range is manufactured using aluminium or steel depending on the OE fitment, with all steel sumps having a powder coating to ensure longevity and extra resistance against corrosion. All sumps include a pre-fitted plug and are gasket free. Alongside this is a range of 11 sump plugs, which are available to buy separately, including the plastic sump plug for VAG Golf, A3 and A4. These plugs are usually supplied in five-packs.

www.firstline.co.uk