Due to quite a lot of regens during the last week or so, even after long motorway journeys, my thoughts are now cosidering the strong possiblity that my dpf is just about done for. I could book it in the garage and try a forced regen. But if this doesn't help the options are replace or remove. Or the sell the car!! So, in Feb 14 we found out about new supposed stringent tests for the m.o.t to check for the presence of factory fitted dpf's. Is there anyone who's removed it had a car fail for no dpf? It's over a year now since that statement so you would think any measures would be starting to see results.

I've not found any removed DPFs yet, however it is something that the DVSA is taking seriously as any MOT garages that offer a removal service will get their testing license revoked.

I belive the DPF " Is it there " test is only a visual one.  If it has to have a DPF the filter must be fitted, nothing to say there has to be anything in it.

 

As for removal, that could be a different story

I belive the DPF " Is it there " test is only a visual one.  If it has to have a DPF the filter must be fitted, nothing to say there has to be anything in it.

 

The same is here. Those inspectors take a look under the bonnet (or maybe from below the car) and DPF bundle must be there. Mostly it is and it's fine for them. They cannot look inside in it where in most cases is nothing

Sorry guys by 'removal' i did mean the filter itself removed with housing still there. I have read a few threads on this and knew about the visual check if it looks like it's still there presume it is. What i was getting at was over the last 12-15 months since that statement, has any new testing equipment started being introduced to check more thoroughly for the dpf's presence?

It is still a visual check, but there will no doubt be further legislation coming at some point in the future - the million dollar question is when!

 

In my (limited) experience significant changes to the MOT guidance is a long and drawn-out process that often takes a long time.

 

It is very easy for an MOT tester to tell if the DPF has been gutted no matter how good the DPF has been welded back up as the car won't register '0' on the soot test. However it still can't be failed as it isn't possible to prove for sure that the DPF isn't present. Nothing to stop them listing it as an advisory though.

 

I'd be enjoying a life without the DPF now and enjoying it for as long as you can (I had a PD170 with a failing DPF - it makes life hell!).

 

Remember that aftermarket DPF's are becoming more and more popular and prices are gradually coming down as a result. If and when the MOT changes (lots of scaremongering and few facts so far) you'll be able to stick a new DPF in for a few hundred quid and move the car on.

When I had the DPF gutted on my 07 plate PD TDi Vrs the DPF was split bulk head side so the weld couldn't be seen.

 

Made a hell of an improvement to the though..........

It is still a visual check, but there will no doubt be further legislation coming at some point in the future - the million dollar question is when!

In my (limited) experience significant changes to the MOT guidance is a long and drawn-out process that often takes a long time.

It is very easy for an MOT tester to tell if the DPF has been gutted no matter how good the DPF has been welded back up as the car won't register '0' on the soot test. However it still can't be failed as it isn't possible to prove for sure that the DPF isn't present. Nothing to stop them listing it as an advisory though.

I'd be enjoying a life without the DPF now and enjoying it for as long as you can (I had a PD170 with a failing DPF - it makes life hell!).

Remember that aftermarket DPF's are becoming more and more popular and prices are gradually coming down as a result. If and when the MOT changes (lots of scaremongering and few facts so far) you'll be able to stick a new DPF in for a few hundred quid and move the car on.

Ah so in effect what your saying is the removal process can be reversed? I thought once it was out that was it. And the sensors stay as well just mapped out? It has a Shark map on the car already so it might not cost much to do.

It is still a visual check, but there will no doubt be further legislation coming at some point in the future - the million dollar question is when!

In my (limited) experience significant changes to the MOT guidance is a long and drawn-out process that often takes a long time.

It is very easy for an MOT tester to tell if the DPF has been gutted no matter how good the DPF has been welded back up as the car won't register '0' on the soot test. However it still can't be failed as it isn't possible to prove for sure that the DPF isn't present. Nothing to stop them listing it as an advisory though.

I'd be enjoying a life without the DPF now and enjoying it for as long as you can (I had a PD170 with a failing DPF - it makes life hell!).

Remember that aftermarket DPF's are becoming more and more popular and prices are gradually coming down as a result. If and when the MOT changes (lots of scaremongering and few facts so far) you'll be able to stick a new DPF in for a few hundred quid and move the car on.

Ah so what your saying is the removal process can be reversed? I thought once it was taken out that was it. And the sensors stay put just mapped out?

When I had the DPF gutted on my 07 plate PD TDi Vrs the DPF was split bulk head side so the weld couldn't be seen.

Made a hell of an improvement to the though..........

I can imagine it improves it a lot. I love the car it goes well especially after the Shark map but the dpf is actually spoiling the ownership a bit........... a lot...............loads!!!

I can imagine it improves it a lot. I love the car it goes well especially after the Shark map but the dpf is actually spoiling the ownership a bit........... a lot...............loads!!!

 

It's a 1000% improvement, seemed to pull better. It was like the car had breathing problems then got a lung transplant. It's sounded a bit different also, bit like a slight growl, I think it was because the DPF cannister was empty. MPG went up slightly

 

Sensors kept in place just mapped out. Very little smoke out the back

1) about welding. I've heard that DPF removing professionals can do it like it's done in the factory and only expert can find out if it's genuine or not.

2) about possible computer checking. After coming of such thing soon there will be a cure for this problem. If existing DPF gives some certain codes to a tester then it's not hard to put a thing in it to do the same. I've heard that Toyotas can't be mapped the easy way. Some kind of emulator has to be installed to make computer think that everything is fine.

It's a 1000% improvement, seemed to pull better. It was like the car had breathing problems then got a lung transplant. It's sounded a bit different also, bit like a slight growl, I think it was because the DPF cannister was empty. MPG went up slightly

Sensors kept in place just mapped out. Very little smoke out the back

I'm not after the owl sound or anything but a nicer sounding car would also be quite nice. However, my main issue is the regens. I've noticed the oil level creeping up too. So, can it be removed at home or is it best left to professionals?

It's a 1000% improvement, seemed to pull better. It was like the car had breathing problems then got a lung transplant. It's sounded a bit different also, bit like a slight growl, I think it was because the DPF cannister was empty. MPG went up slightly

Sensors kept in place just mapped out. Very little smoke out the back

Pm'd buddy.

MOT testers will know from the soot in the exhaust pipe, the smoke test result and the sound of hollowness that an empty DPF casing makes when it is tapped.  The only thing preventing failure is the visual inspection aspect, though there is nothing to stop them noting their concerns through an advisory.

 

This is all set to change over the next few years when there will be an electronic check on fitted emissions equipment.

An electronic check as in the obd?

New or remanufactured DPF's now available outside of the dealer network...

 

http://www.vegeuk.com/uk_en/diesel_partical_filter.html

 

In the same way catalytic converters have come dowm in price over the years DPF's will follow suit.

 

DPF for the 2.0 TDi for less than £400 plus VAT...

 

http://www.cats2u.co.uk/Catalytic-Converters/SKODA+OCTAVIA+2.0+Diesel+Diesel+Particulate+Filter

New or remanufactured DPF's now available outside of the dealer network...

http://www.vegeuk.com/uk_en/diesel_partical_filter.html

In the same way catalytic converters have come dowm in price over the years DPF's will follow suit.

DPF for the 2.0 TDi for less than £400 plus VAT...

http://www.cats2u.co.uk/Catalytic-Converters/SKODA+OCTAVIA+2.0+Diesel+Diesel+Particulate+Filter

They have tumbled in price definately. But there would be labour charges on top of those prices.

True, it is worth noting that I was quoted £1,200 (fitted) for a new DPF from Skoda for my PD170 vRS, although this was a few years ago now.

True, it is worth noting that I was quoted £1,200 (fitted) for a new DPF from Skoda for my PD170 vRS, although this was a few years ago now.

Looking at where it is it doesn't look a nice job. I will have a go at most things but lying on my back on my driveway to do that i won't be!! £1200 is ridiculous really. Maybe now the prices have come down it'll probably be around half that. It could be 3-4 hours labour.

Looking at where it is it doesn't look a nice job. I will have a go at most things but lying on my back on my driveway to do that i won't be!! £1200 is ridiculous really. Maybe now the prices have come down it'll probably be around half that. It could be 3-4 hours labour.

 

You'll still have to get the sensors Mapped out as they will be looking for the DPF.  It may cause more problems with the running of the car if you don't

You'll still have to get the sensors Mapped out as they will be looking for the DPF. It may cause more problems with the running of the car if you don't

Yeah I've spoke to the fella who Shark mapped it and apparently it's gonna cost the same again as its basically another remap but with no dpf. So by the time i pay someone to remove the dpf, then pay to map it again, or buy a new dpf and pay someone to fit it, the cost is probably around the same. One way no more issues but possible m.o.t failure in the future, or no chance of failing its m.o.t but possibly more dpf problems in the future!! Rock and a hard place or what!!

MOT testers will know from the soot in the exhaust pipe, the smoke test result and the sound of hollowness that an empty DPF casing makes when it is tapped.  The only thing preventing failure is the visual inspection aspect, though there is nothing to stop them noting their concerns through an advisory.

 

Do you think that these MOT testers are superhumans that know how every car should sound with/without DPF? I wouldn't bet on that.

About soot in the exhaust pipe - somehow I think that longer drive (maybe on higher revs) could burn everything out. At least many people did such thing for older cars that were used mostly in the city/town. Some used to clean exhaust pipes with pressure washers.