The following questions and answers session was conducted by AutoTechnician and Launch's Richard Collyer
Why would Launch UK recommend that a garage offer DPF repairs, or even market themselves as DPF specialists?
Tighter legislation surrounding reducing emissions is forcing motorists to be more environmentally aware. They now also face stricter MOT regulations, which were introduced in May 2018 to prevent vehicles producing excessive emissions, and which no doubt correlates to the significant rise in vehicle failures, with diesel vehicles experiencing by far the biggest surge.
This means there is a clear demand for DPF cleaning / repair servicing, and by offering this specialist solution, garages are able to add more value to the customer.
There is a connection between diagnostics and a clean DPF. Often, the diagnosis cannot take place, as the device cannot read the system once blocked. All good DPF repair specialists use a diagnostic to read faults and force the vehicle into Regeneration when necessary.
Due to using a German Company for our ATF Flushing Fluids, it was a natural progression to bring over a range of high-quality chemical solutions.
2. Under which customer complaints/DPF faults can Launch's on-car DPF cleaner be suitable? Under which faults is the on-car cleaner not appropriate?
With the Launch UK DPF cleaning tool, you have a service ready to offer those customers who fall foul of the conditions, and need their car serviced in the shortest possible time.
The Launch DPF tool has many benefits including increased engine performance, reduction of smoke from the exhaust, increased fuel economy, a reduction in exhaust noise and, a free flowing DPF, which decreases warning light instances.
The Launch DPF Cleaning System can be used for partially blocked and mostly blocked DPFs. It saves a lot of time for the technician, as the DPF is cleaned in situ without removal. The DPF is cleaned with the vehicle ticking over with Launch DPF Gun Fluid.
3. What advantages does Launch's DPF cleaner offer, over and above similar products from competitors?
The Launch DPF cleaning tool will treat a vehicle’s DPF with a unique cleaning liquid, actively dissolving the soot and carbon content inside the filter. It is a quick and easy process and allows for direct application into the fuel system or DPF itself via the pressure sensor or vacuum hole.
The gun is simply filled with Launch DPF cleaning fluid and connected to a compressed air line, enabling you to spray at pressure into the DPF.
Once applied, the fluid will start dissolving soot inside the filter without the need to remove the unit, saving time and effort. You can apply the fluid without removal or other unnecessary work.
The Launch DPF Gun Fluid is applied with the vehicle ticking over. This saves time over similar products that need time to “soak” in before they are able to clear contamination. Also, as the Launch product is going through with the exhaust gases, it cleans more of the DPF because “soak” type cleaners tend to clear the areas that they sit in better than the higher areas.
4. How has lockdown during Autumn and Winter has affected demand for your DPF cleaner?
Launch UK’s DPF gun is the perfect addition to workshop tools at a time when drivers are using their cars more following periods of inactivity.
A DPF is crucial in helping to reduce emissions as it absorbs harmful diesel particulate matter or soot and burns them off during the regeneration cycle. However, it’s important that it has sufficient time to complete the process and therefore it works best when the vehicle in question is ran for a longer period of time.
With this in mind, periods of inactivity, such as when cars were not in operation as often as usual in lockdown, could result in a build-up of soot.
The DPF is a complex component and one that is costly to replace. Launch UK is keen to offer a cost-effective solution for drivers, helping them to reduce vehicle emissions and keep their car running and reliable, while keeping repair and maintenance bills low – important decision factors in the current climate.
The Launch DPF Gun System is inexpensive in comparison to other means of DPF cleaning. It cleans most DPFs and works in situ. Every garage in the UK could have this reliable tool in their workshop, solving many issues quickly and cheaply for the garage and customer. Our quality fluid and treatments are priced very competitively.
5. What advice does Launch have for technicians, regarding DPF cleaning for the rest of this year?
We recommended garages encourage using our DPF solution regularly as a form of preventative maintenance. However, as everyone’s driving pattern is different, carbon build-up will vary. For example, if the car has low mileage from short journeys, it may be worth cleaning the DPF at a lower mileage than usual. But if the driver regularly drives at a faster pace on the motorway, less carbon may have built up and the vehicle may be brought in with a slightly higher mileage.
The DPF is a complex component and one that is costly to replace. Launch UK is keen to offer a cost-effective solution for drivers, helping them to reduce vehicle emissions and keep their car running and reliable, while keeping repair and maintenance bills low – important decision factors in the current climate.
Blanking EGR and removing DPFs is illegal and not environmentally friendly. Instances of this happening is reducing, and more and more garages are looking for appropriate quality solutions. Many DPF specialists are turning to Launch products as the best in effectiveness and price.
You can purchase a DPF Gun from launch here: /https://www.launchtech.co.uk/dpf-tools/dpf-cleaning-gun/
