Hi guys! I'm hoping somebody would be able to advise on removal of DPF on Nissan Pathfinder, 2.4L TDi, 2008 make.
We moved to Armenia with work and brought the car with us from Europe. The local diesel fuel does not conform to Euro4 standards, so our DPF has to regenerate few times a day...
The local mechanics do not have much of experience with DPFs. They can remove the filter itself, but what should it be replaced with? Just a tube? Also, they have no idea how would the computer behave after DPF's removal?
I do have access to a guy in Nissan Service centre, who'd be able to connect to the system and update firmware / change codes if need be, but he doesn't know what exactly has to be changed.
Guys, we are really stuck. I somebody knows anything or has any experience on this matter or knows a mechanic who could consult us (not free of charge of course;-), please, let me know.
Operating a vehicle without DPF filter installed is not illegal in Armenia, thus we should have no legal problems...
Thank you! -

If I was in your shoes, I would first remove the DPF and install some sort of test pipe. Cut a piece of pipe to fit within about 1/4" or less on each end and put reusable exhaust band clamps on it.

Drive it for a while and see how it behaves. If all heck breaks loose, you can put the DPF back on and commence with another plan.

If it seems to run fine...save the DPF in a corner of your garage or storage shed "just in case" and enjoy life with one less emission control device in the way.

Hope this helps,

Dan -

Mr. Miyagi's Sig:

You can have it cheap, right, or Tuesday. Pick two.

Hi Dan, thanks a mil! Could try this... Someone from a German forum suggested to drill a hole on the filter's body:
"The diesel partikel system is control by
an differential pressure sensor. So if the pressure difference between front
and back of the filter is to high the ECU starts the regeneration.

If you don't need the filter: I would just make hole into the filter
structure and all would work."

What do you think? -

If it was me again, I would hesitate to drill any holes directly in the filter, just in my opinion. I don't really know how they're designed internally and wouldn't know the best place to start drilling. Plus, You would have an annoying exhaust leak noise that could drive you bonkers....

If all they use is a pressure differential you could, in theory, eliminate the filter entirely and the computer control system would never be the wiser.

Here in the 'states we do 'test pipes' all the time on catalytic converters for petrol engines...some just stay on longer than a mile or two. hehe -