Diesel exhaust particulate matter (DPM) is known to cause cancer, and while much blame has been put on aging truck and bus fleets, Brisbane based firm, Cost Effective Maintenance has concluded that the single biggest contribution to diesel smoke is due to the compounding effects of city driving cycles.

General manager, Brid Walker said, “Put simply,the more city driving a truck or bus does, the more smoke it puts out. Prolonged stop-start type operation, with excessive idling in traffic is typical of congested city driving. Diesel engines are designed to run at a decent load and steady temperature for best fuel efficiency and lowest emissions. This just doesn’t happen with city driving, and it increases engine deposits. Visible smoke can increase after just a few days of continuous city driving.”

“We have repeatedly demonstrated that by removing accumulated crankcase and combustion chamber deposits, and introducing keep clean technology, DPMs can be kept at acceptable levels, even under congested city type work.”

“While lack of maintenance will undoubtedly make things worse, it is not directly to blame here. The city duty cycle itself is the single most important factor in diesel particulate emissions.” says Walker. “We are continually presented with engines that are well serviced and in good sound condition, but are smoking excessively or failing emissions tests. In many cases, the owners have been advised to have their engines rebuilt, at considerable cost, to restore emission control. In reality, most of these rebuilds can be avoided.”

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