Any chance of cleaning a DPF ?

1968RT

Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2024
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
2013 CKRA Passat
I have a turbo that failed & I started removing things last night to install a new assembly. Evidence shows engine oil was exiting both sides of the blown turbo & upon disassembly I found it made its way into the particulate filter. I dumped over a quart out of the lower intercooler hose on the intake side, but not sure how much went out & into the exhaust. I left the DPF assembly upside down overnight & enough oil came out to make a 6" diameter puddle on the shop floor. So maybe a table spoon or so? But thats only what drained out. Most likely it was a lot more.

Anything worth trying here, or is this type of contamination require a new DPF every time? If I was to re-install it, what the biggest risk? Given the cost of the Filter, I wouldn't mind trying to run it as is & knowing I may very likely be taking it back out. Will a re-gen burn some of this away? I really have no way of knowing how much got in there but I don't see any evidence of oil in the flex joint. So either not much got in, or its trapped in the ceramic blocks.

The DPF filer removal wasn't all that difficult. But the rest of the components to get the turbo out has been more time consuming than what I was expecting. :)
 

1968RT

Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2024
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
2013 CKRA Passat
My initial thinking is to re-install the DPF, make sure the new turbo is working & allow any residual oil that made its way into the IC & intake ports, hoses etc to work its way though & then if all is well, replace the DPF after I can get some miles on the car. Given the price of a new filter, I would hate to have more oil going through a brand new DPF. So maybe see if this one is good enough for now until I know everything else is seems to be back to normal? Maybe watch the exhaust temps to make sure its not running too hot, or partially plugged? Any ideas are appreciated.
 
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