DPF removal

Shybride2016

Apologies for bumping an old thread but I'm trying to find out when the practice of removing these filters came about and who authorised this?

I failed my NCT last Friday due to the fact that the dpf filter had been removed (unknown to me btw). My previous
NCT in 2014 did not flag this as a fault so I had no idea this was an issue now. Feeling very aggrieved at the thoughts of having to shell out thousands to get this sorted at my own expense.

Not sure if relevant but I have an 06 Opel Zafira.

MarkR

Not a case of requiring authorization. For some it was a cheap fix, for others a performance boost, some people did it as a preventative measure. I'm no mechanic, but can you get a second hand section of exhaust with the dpf?

Special Circumstances

It never needed to be authorised, it was just left to invidual's conscience whether they should pump more or less carcinogenic fumes into other peoples lungs. Cute hoors went with more cancer.

Shybride2016

MarkR wrote: »

Not a case of requiring authorization. For some it was a cheap fix, for others a performance boost, some people did it as a preventative measure. I'm no mechanic, but can you get a second hand section of exhaust with the dpf?

I'm booked into a garage tomorrow so will see what they say about what needs to be done. Really don't have the money to be paying for something like this that wasn't my doing. Cars really are an endless money pit, wish I could just get rid of it!

Special Circumstances

I doubt the NCT test is able to distinguish between a fully working DPF and "dummy" DPF - the outside casing of a DPF with any internals removed. I'm guessing your DPF was just replaced with an ordinary bit of pipe, so it was obvious that the DPF was removed. Wasn't a big deal previously as environmental types rate Carbon Dioxide as more deadly than carcinogenic particles.

A proper replacement of the DPF could be expensive. A dummy one may just have to do to keep you on the road.

Murphys law - the next car you buy will have a dummy one fitted and then they will start testing diesel cars properly and catch you again!

Shybride2016

Special Circumstances wrote: »

I doubt the NCT test is able to distinguish between a fully working DPF and "dummy" DPF - the outside casing of a DPF with any internals removed. I'm guessing your DPF was just replaced with an ordinary bit of pipe, so it was obvious that the DPF was removed. Wasn't a big deal previously as environmental types rate Carbon Dioxide as more deadly than carcinogenic particles.

A proper replacement of the DPF could be expensive. A dummy one may just have to do to keep you on the road.

Murphys law - the next car you buy will have a dummy one fitted and then they will start testing diesel cars properly and catch you again!

I won't be getting a diesel car next time, looking forward to downsizing again and not from a cowboy garage either - lesson learnt! 😳

vectra

Was the dpf gutter and refitted or was it removed completely?
also
How was it mapped out?
Lighting in the dash makes it suspicious if they do not work as should.

Shybride2016

vectra wrote: »

Was the dpf gutter and refitted or was it removed completely?
also
How was it mapped out?
Lighting in the dash makes it suspicious if they do not work as should.

I'm not 100% sure of the details to be honest but will confirm with the garage tomorrow what the situation is and how best to sort it so I can get through the NCT.

There's not been anything flashing on the dashboard though.

Thanks to all for the replies and advice! Invaluable as always.

biko

Moved it from old thread.

Shybride2016

I've been quoted the princely worst-case scenario sum of €2,000 for the new filter to be installed and the sensors to be reset.

Time to go car shopping! If I didn't need a 7-seater for work I'd buy a bike. 😁

winnie the schtink

vectra wrote: »

Was the dpf gutter and refitted or was it removed completely?
also
How was it mapped out?
Lighting in the dash makes it suspicious if they do not work as should.

as you say if it is done correctly they have no way of telling

winnie the schtink

Shybride2016 wrote: »

I've been quoted the princely worst-case scenario sum of €2,000 for the new filter to be installed and the sensors to be reset.

Time to go car shopping! If I didn't need a 7-seater for work I'd buy a bike. 😁

those zafiras are prone to going up in smoke, just sayin like

tphase

Special Circumstances wrote: »

I doubt the NCT test is able to distinguish between a fully working DPF and "dummy" DPF

the car is plugged into a diagnostic system during the test so if the DPF has been deleted, they'll know

vectra

tphase wrote: »

the car is plugged into a diagnostic system during the test so if the DPF has been deleted, they'll know

No they wont if it is done properly.

JBokeh

I take it they just welded a bit of pipe in place of the DPF? I've had 2 of them gutted, but the actual shell of it left in place, passes the test without a bother. One is a Van the other a car, they both obviously have had the DPF removed as they blow out smoke under acceleration.

You should be able to get a shell from a crashed car, and get it welded into the system and it will look like there is a DPF in there, and it will be a lot cheaper than 2 grand

mullingar

Hold on, a DPF is not required for an NCT. The only diesel test is a opacity test (visual smoke), no gaseous or particulates contents are checked.

I would love to know under what section of the NCT manual (https://www.ncts.ie/NCT%20Manual%20Revise%20May%202012.pdf ) they failed on.

I didnt know an 06 Diesel Zafira had a DPF.

Special Circumstances

mullingar wrote: »

Hold on, a DPF is not required for an NCT. The only diesel test is a opacity test (visual smoke), no gaseous or particulates contents are checked.

I would love to know under what section of the NCT manual (https://www.ncts.ie/NCT%20Manual%20Revise%20May%202012.pdf ) they failed on.

I didnt know an 06 Diesel Zafira had a DPF.

The latest manual is July 2014. But searching that for filter or particulate doesn't give any results for DPF checks.
They should bring it in of course but I was surprised to hear some one saying that they had brought it in.