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Vehicle diagnostics in Shropshire

Tech Info Pages at www.autoelectrics.net

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and, Sintered Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

Much publicity has surrounded diesel vehicles recently, for example #Dieselgate.
Consequently, vehicle manufacturers have attempted to reduce diesel exhaust emissions by various means to meet exhaust particulate (soot) emissions standards such as Euro 5 and now Euro 6.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) recirculates engine exhaust gases back in to the engine combustion chambers to re-attempt burn and reduce soot output from the vehicle exhaust.

Sintered Catalytic Reduction (SCR)or alternatively named Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is a system where diesel exhaust fumes pass through a catalyst filter structure built in to the exhaust system to lessen pollutants.

A urea based Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) aftertreatment solution is sprayed at high pressure in to the exhaust gas stream produced from a diesel engine (exhaust gas aftertreatment), prior to exhaust gases entering a hot catalyst chamber to reduce emissions by breaking down Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from the engine combustion process in to Nitrogen and Water.

What is Adblue® ?

Adblue® is the commercial trade name for a (VDA German approved) high purity 32.5% Urea based purified aqueous (water based) solution used as a diesel exhaust aftertreatment fluid (DEF) to reduce pollutant exhaust emissions. Despite its tradename implying a blue colour, Adblue® is a colourless liquid.

Vehicles likely to use Urea based Exhaust Aftertreatment Systems

Exhaust aftertreatment systems are commonly fitted to vehicles fitted with medium to large diesel engines including

  • Cars
  • Vans
  • HGV Trucks
  • Tractors
  • Buses
  • Industrial diesel engines
  • Exhaust Aftertreatment System Components

  • Treatment Fluid Tank
  • Pipelines
  • Treatment fluid filter to remove particles and crystallization.
  • Fluid heater
  • Dosing System Electronic Control Module
  • DEF Dosing Module and pump
  • Pressurised air system with filter (used on commercial trucks and buses)
  • Exhaust aftertreatment DEF Injector fitted prior to SCR
  • Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) or Catalyst (SCR) as part of the Exhaust
  • NOx sensor to monitor exhaust gas composition providing feedback to engine management via Controller Area Network (CANbus) system

    Advantages of Diesel Exhaust Aftertreatment Systems

    Exhaust aftertreatment systems are designed to control diesel particulate pollution from engines burning fossil fuels to provide cleaner breathing air. Carbon soot and oxides of Nitrogen emissions (Smog) from diesel engines are reduced.

    Disadvantages and Problems with Diesel Exhaust Aftertreatment Systems

    Adblue® fluid cost increase vehicle operating costs.

    Fluid dosing systems are prone to failure which increases vehicle repair costs and may shorten vehicle lifespan when balanced against vehicle age causing premature scrappage.

    Refuelling errors can result in the wrong tank being filled with DEF. If adblue® enters the diesel fuel system it may cause expensive irreversible damage to precision fuel injection equipment resulting in breakdown and repair costs. Adblue and Fuel refilling nozzles and tank filler necks are sized differently to prevent this happening.

    Urea exhaust after treatment solutions can crystallise at low temperatures causing the dosing pump, valves, and pipework to block, for this reason a def heater sytem is fitted.

    Urea solutions can corrode copper wiring in cables causing electrical faults.

    Although exhaust aftertreatment systems are designed to protect the environment and our breathing air, in practice, many vehicle problems are caused by these systems.

    Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) / SCR blocked by carbon soot build up

    The catalyst must reach a temperature of 3-400 degrees C or higher to operate efficiently.

    Soot loading of exhaust diesel particulate filter (dpf) is monitored by an electronic control unit which may flag fault codes when a system error is detected. Comparison of signal data from NOx and pressure sensors before and after the SCR may be compared to parameter data stored in the electronic control unit. A NOx related fault code may result from exceeding parameter threshold. The logged fault code may cause the control unit to revert to a limp home mode with reduced engine power as a result. Secondary fault codes relating to intake air flow or exhaust gas recirculation faults may result.

    Excessive carbon soot can block the dpf exhaust which may prevent the engine running causing breakdown.

    DPF DEF SCR Fault Codes

    DPF fault codes usually cause an emmissions or engine mnagement warning light to illuminate and restriction of engine power (limp home mode).
    DPF or SCR fault codes may be caused by a detected system failure due to:

  • Empty def fluid tank
  • Incorrect def tank fluid level sensor calibration
  • Incorrect fuel injection timing, fuel pressure or flow
  • Airflow faults
  • Blocked or Partially blocked catalyst due to excessive soot loading
  • Blocked or partially blocked adblue system including pipework and valves
  • Electrical faults in wiring to def pump or control system
  • Temperature sensor fault
  • Exhaust Aftertreatment Urea fluid crystalises at low temperature causing pipes and injector to block so does not spray, for this reason a heating device may be fitted.
  • Urea is Corrosive to metals so may damage system components and especially copper cored wiring cables.
  • Diagnostic equipment may be required to read scr fault codes and clear error history after a repair has been completed.

    Typical DPF system fault codes:
    P13E400 The remaining driving distance is limited due to diesel emissions fluid dosing system defect
    P13F600 The engine cannot be started because the exhaust after treatment system is affected.
    DPF differential pressure sensor fault codes.
    Fault codes relating to diesel particulate filter soot accumulation.

    Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Regeneration

    If the electronic control unit (ecu) has detected a high carbon soot build up percentage loading of the diesel particulate filter, then a dpf regeneration may be required.
    The Ecu may automatically start dpf regeneration during a driving cycle if sufficient conditions are met such as engine and exhaust temperature and gas flow calculated from engine rpm and load.
    Forced Dpf regeneration may be activated using special funcions of vehicle diagnostic equipment.

    Dpf regeneration attempts to burn off carbon soot deposits by increasing temperature and may result in the exhaust dpf getting very hot which can introduce fire risks if flammable materials are in close proximity.

    Diesel particulate filters may be refurbished by specialist companies requiring removal of the filter and off site dedicated cleaning process.

    Legal Implications of Exhaust Aftertreatment Systems

    Strict legislation enforces vehicle manufacturers to fit exhaust aftertreatment systems to reduce smog.
    HGV and PSV Commercial vehicle operators in the road transport industry may be subject to compliance checks by DVSA to make sure that the adblue system fitted is operational.
    Warning: Heavy fines and loss of the vehicle operators licence can result where the manufacturers adblue system has been bypassed by fitting of an adblue emulator which could fool the diesel engine computer in to thinking a faulty or missing adblue system is still operational. see link to Eu regs OJ L171

    Remapping

    Powertrain control parameters are stored in vehicle computer software as a map. It is possible to rewrite the control software map to remove dpf and scr functions to render the system inactive however this may contravene legislation and also jeopardise any vehicle warranty and introduce potential manufacturers liability claims affecting vehicle insurance. Vehicles used for special purposes may be remapped to suit at operator's risk. Testing the vehicle with an engine dynamometer (dyno) or rolling road is recommended following remapping.

    Exhaust Aftertreatment Fluid Storage and Contamination

    Adblue® requires clean storage to prevent contamination which may block filters and exhaust catalyser injector system. Filling from multi use containers and drums should be avoided to prevent cross contamination. Site and field refuelling of construction, quarry, and agricultural machines can expose adblue systems to dirt and particle contaminants which could cause future reakdown.

    PPE and Risk Assessment

    Although urea based exhaust treatment fluid is described as non hazardous there are some risks assosciated with eye contact, spillage, slight ammonia gas release, and ingestion which may cause nausea. COSHH data sheets are found readily on chemical manufacturers websites.

    Safety glasses and gloves are recommended when handling treatment fluids.

    Adblue® may be contained in a pressurised system.

    Adblue® Standards for Aqueous Urea Solution AUS32

    Adblue® is a registered trademark of VDA used on this webpage for reference purposes only, no further link is expressed or implied.

    DIN 70070

    ISO 22241 International Standards Organisation (link opens in new tab)

    GB29518-13 this is a Chinese standard despite the GB prefix.

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