A
Anonymous
Guest
Question was asked on another Thread.
Here's a fuller answer:
"FAP stands for 'Filtre a Particule' which is French for particulate filter.
In other makes of car, it's sometimes called DPF or diesel particulate filter.
Diesel particulate filters are designed to remove harmful sooty elements from a car's exhaust, which contribute to atmospheric pollution and have been linked to respiratory problems.
Particulate filters work a bit like a self-cleaning oven. A filter traps tiny particles of soot in the exhaust gases.
As the soot particles accumulate, the pressure in the exhaust pipe increases, because the soot blocks the free passage of gas out of the pipe.
When the pressure builds to a certain point, a sensor in the filter tells the engine management system to inject more fuel into the engine.
This causes heat to build up in the front of the filter, which burns off the accumulated soot particles.
The process happens fairly quickly - within a few minutes - and, sitting in the driver's seat, you won't even know it's happening.
However, there are some problems associated with DPFs - some require the car to be driven at a minimum speed for a period specified by the manufacturer, typically 50mph for 20 minutes.
It's a process called regeneration, and it burns off a build-up of sooty particles - but if it isn't done, vehicles can go into 'limp-home' mode or even break down.
Having to run a car like this can make it unsuitable if you only use the car for very short runs.
DPFs can also built up terrific heat and there are stories of the paint on some garage's floors being scorched and grass being burnt.
For doing their job, though, they work very effectively, often removing over 99% of particulate matter."
Hope this provides a good bit of background (from a reputable Car Magazine) and some very prudent advice on whether a Diesel is in fact for you or not.
:beer:
Here's a fuller answer:
"FAP stands for 'Filtre a Particule' which is French for particulate filter.
In other makes of car, it's sometimes called DPF or diesel particulate filter.
Diesel particulate filters are designed to remove harmful sooty elements from a car's exhaust, which contribute to atmospheric pollution and have been linked to respiratory problems.
Particulate filters work a bit like a self-cleaning oven. A filter traps tiny particles of soot in the exhaust gases.
As the soot particles accumulate, the pressure in the exhaust pipe increases, because the soot blocks the free passage of gas out of the pipe.
When the pressure builds to a certain point, a sensor in the filter tells the engine management system to inject more fuel into the engine.
This causes heat to build up in the front of the filter, which burns off the accumulated soot particles.
The process happens fairly quickly - within a few minutes - and, sitting in the driver's seat, you won't even know it's happening.
However, there are some problems associated with DPFs - some require the car to be driven at a minimum speed for a period specified by the manufacturer, typically 50mph for 20 minutes.
It's a process called regeneration, and it burns off a build-up of sooty particles - but if it isn't done, vehicles can go into 'limp-home' mode or even break down.
Having to run a car like this can make it unsuitable if you only use the car for very short runs.
DPFs can also built up terrific heat and there are stories of the paint on some garage's floors being scorched and grass being burnt.
For doing their job, though, they work very effectively, often removing over 99% of particulate matter."
Hope this provides a good bit of background (from a reputable Car Magazine) and some very prudent advice on whether a Diesel is in fact for you or not.
:beer:
