Ultimate DPF Check for BMW F36 (B47 Engine, No AdBlue)

Disclaimer:
This post is based on my personal experience and intended for informational and educational purposes only. Procedures, tools, and parts may vary depending on the vehicle and situation. Always consult your service manual or a professional before performing any maintenance.

For more information, please read the full disclaimer here.

DPF Check for BMW with B47 Engine, No AdBlue

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) health is critical for BMW diesel engines. If the filter gets clogged, you risk higher fuel consumption, loss of power, or even expensive repairs. The BMW F36 with the B47 engine (without AdBlue) relies on regular regeneration cycles to keep the DPF clean.

With the BimmerLink app, you can check the real-time condition of your DPF. This article explains which parameters to track, what normal values look like, and how to interpret your data.

Key DPF Parameters You Should Check

1. Soot Mass in DPF

• Definition: The amount of soot currently stored inside the filter.
• Normal range: 5–25 g before a regeneration cycle starts. After regeneration, it should drop to around 3–8 g.
• My Value @ 118k km: 20.51 g → This is near the upper range, meaning regeneration should happen soon.

2. Oil Ash Mass in DPF

• Definition: The permanent residue left behind after regenerations. Unlike soot, it cannot burn off.
• Normal range: At ~100,000 km you can expect 20–30 g. The DPF typically reaches its limit around 60–80 g, depending on driving conditions.
• My Value @ 118k km: 25.93 g → Normal and healthy, no concern for now.

3. Differential Pressure Across DPF

• Definition: Measures how restricted the filter is by soot buildup. Higher pressure = more clogging.
• Normal range: At idle, should be around 0.002–0.01 bar. Under acceleration, it can temporarily rise but should not exceed 0.1 bar under normal driving.
• My Value @ 118k km: 0.006 bar → Excellent, filter is flowing well.

4. Average Regeneration Interval

• Definition: How often the car performs a regeneration.
• Normal range: 300–600 km depending on driving style. Highway driving extends the interval, while short trips shorten it.
• My Value @ 118k km: 417 km → Perfectly normal for mixed driving.

5. Distance Since Last Successful Regeneration

• Definition: How far you have driven since the last regeneration finished.
• Normal range: Usually 200–500 km before the next cycle starts.
• My Value @ 118k km: 222 km → About halfway to the next regeneration.

6. Fuel Consumption Since Last Successful Regeneration

• Definition: How much fuel has been burned since the last DPF cleaning cycle.
• Normal range: 8–15 liters between regens, depending on distance and driving style.
• My Value @ 118k km: 9.61 L → In line with expectations, regeneration interval looks efficient.

7. Operating Time Since Last Successful Regeneration

• Definition: Time spent driving since the last regeneration.
• Normal range: 2–6 hours depending on driving profile.
• My Value @ 118k km: 02:36:38 → Matches well with distance and fuel consumption.

8. Remaining Distance of the DPF

• Definition: Estimated lifespan of the DPF before replacement becomes necessary.
• Normal range: Original filters often last between 200,000–300,000 km, depending on oil quality and driving conditions.
• My Value @ 118k km: 146,240 km remaining → Excellent. With proper driving, the DPF should last well beyond 250,000 km.

BMW DPF Regeneration Types (B47 Engine)

If you have access to a Launch diagnostic tool (or a similar advanced scanner), you can also check which types of regenerations are most frequently performed on your BMW. This data is extremely useful because it shows the driving style and conditions your car has been exposed to:

• Type 1 – Automatic / Active Regeneration
  Triggered by the ECU when soot mass reaches a certain threshold. This is the most common type and works during normal driving when conditions are suitable.
• Type 4 – Passive Regeneration
  Happens naturally when driving at higher speeds (usually highway driving). Exhaust temperatures stay high enough to burn soot continuously. More passive regens = car has been used on long trips.
• Type 6 – Post-Injection / Secondary Active Regeneration
  Triggered when the previous regeneration attempt was incomplete or interrupted (often during short trips or stop-and-go driving). More frequent Type 6 events may indicate a city-driven car.

By looking at the ratio between these regeneration types, you can quickly tell if the car has mostly been driven in the city or on the highway. This is very important when buying a used BMW with a diesel engine, because frequent Type 6 regenerations suggest short city trips, which lead to higher DPF stress and faster wear.

How to Check BMW DPF Regeneration Types with Launch Diagnostic

You can use a Launch diagnostic tool to read the regeneration counters on BMW diesel engines. These counters reveal how often each regeneration type has been performed. Here’s how to access the data:

• Step 1: Connect the Launch diagnostic tool to your car and start a Health Report scan.
• Step 2: From the module list, navigate to DME/DDE (Digital Diesel Electronics).
• Step 3: Open Data Stream to access live data options.
• Step 4: You will see multiple request options. Select Request 2.
• Step 5: Scroll down and select the values labeled:
  • Regeneration Counter Type 1, Regeneration Counter Type 2, Regeneration Counter Type 3, Regeneration Counter Type 4 … up to Regeneration Counter Type 8
• Step 6: Read the numbers displayed.
  • These counters show how many times each regeneration type has been performed. For example, more Type 4 regenerations suggest frequent highway driving, while many Type 6 regenerations suggest more city driving with interrupted cycles.

For more details and live data logs, see my full post here:
👉 BMW B47 DPF Regeneration Data