What Happens If A DPF Is Blocked?
by FTE Published on Monday, February 2nd, 2026
If your vehicle suddenly feels like it’s struggling to breathe, it could be a DPF issue.
I’ve seen this countless times at Fuel Tech Experts, where a blocked Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is often the culprit.
When a DPF is blocked, exhaust gases can’t escape efficiently, leading to increased back pressure.
This can cause poor performance and can even trigger a warning light.
The first thing to try is getting the engine up to full operating temperature, driving at higher RPMs to see if a forced regeneration occurs.
If that doesn’t work, then try a high-quality DPF cleaner.
If the conditions for regeneration aren’t met, such as consistent short trips, the soot continues to build, worsening the blockage.
If this sounds familiar, give it a go and let me know how you get on.


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