Cleaning Your DPF
#1
04-26-2008, 08:56 PM
Cleaning Your DPF
From the Cummins news letter
Operating Tips For The Diesel Particulate Filter On
Cummins 6.7-Liter Turbo Diesel.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups equipped with the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel offer more horsepower and torque than ever before. They’re also the first and only diesel pickups on the market to meet 2010 EPA emissions requirements. To achieve these unprecedented levels of cleanliness, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel incorporates a device known as a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust system.
What Is A DPF And How Does It Work?
The diesel particulate filter captures particulate matter that is a normal byproduct of the combustion process as it passes through the exhaust system.
As you run your Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel, sensors in the DPF measure the amount of particulate matter that is accumulating in the filter and send that data to the Electronic Control Module (ECM), the computer that controls the engine and aftertreatment.
Periodically the ECM will start a self-cleaning process called regeneration that raises temperatures in the DPF and oxidizes the particulate matter. This process is similar to the operation of a self-cleaning oven, releasing only harmless gases into the atmosphere.
Regeneration is virtually undetectable to the driver. Under normal driving conditions, no action is needed to start the process, and there is no impact on pulling power, acceleration or responsiveness of the engine.
What Do I Need To Do To Clean The DPF?
Under normal operating conditions, you don’t need to do anything. However, if you do a lot of in-city driving at lower speeds or extended idling, your engine may not be working hard enough for the self-cleaning process to take place (we’re talking about hours of idling, not just minutes). If this happens, particulate matter will accumulate within the filter. If it reaches an 80% level, you will see an alert in the information center of your truck’s overhead console. This is not dangerous, but it does tell you that the engine needs to be given a little more “exercise” which will correct the situation.
To start the self-cleaning process, all you have to do is drive your Dodge Ram at 50 mph or so for a short while. Typically, about 45 minutes is all it takes for the system to clean itself, and a message in the overhead console will tell you when the self-cleaning is completed.
Do I Need To Take Action Immediately?
It takes a number of days to go from 80% to entirely filling up the DPF, and it won’t affect performance of the engine or the DPF, so it’s not something that has to be done immediately.
However, if the DPF exceeds 99% of capacity before a regeneration takes place, you could cause permanent damage to the filter. Again, an alert in your truck’s information center will appear as you reach this threshold. Simultaneously, power and torque will be reduced so that you can drive your vehicle to an authorized Dodge dealer for service without causing irreparable harm to the filter. However, if you choose to ignore these warning signals and continue to drive for an extended period of time, the filter will be ruined and need to be replaced in order to restore full power and torque to your truck.
A Cleaner Tomorrow Starts Today.
Driving a Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel means you are doing something good for the environment by reducing emissions. Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you for years to come.
Operating Tips For The Diesel Particulate Filter On
Cummins 6.7-Liter Turbo Diesel.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups equipped with the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel offer more horsepower and torque than ever before. They’re also the first and only diesel pickups on the market to meet 2010 EPA emissions requirements. To achieve these unprecedented levels of cleanliness, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel incorporates a device known as a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust system.
What Is A DPF And How Does It Work?
The diesel particulate filter captures particulate matter that is a normal byproduct of the combustion process as it passes through the exhaust system.
As you run your Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel, sensors in the DPF measure the amount of particulate matter that is accumulating in the filter and send that data to the Electronic Control Module (ECM), the computer that controls the engine and aftertreatment.
Periodically the ECM will start a self-cleaning process called regeneration that raises temperatures in the DPF and oxidizes the particulate matter. This process is similar to the operation of a self-cleaning oven, releasing only harmless gases into the atmosphere.
Regeneration is virtually undetectable to the driver. Under normal driving conditions, no action is needed to start the process, and there is no impact on pulling power, acceleration or responsiveness of the engine.
What Do I Need To Do To Clean The DPF?
Under normal operating conditions, you don’t need to do anything. However, if you do a lot of in-city driving at lower speeds or extended idling, your engine may not be working hard enough for the self-cleaning process to take place (we’re talking about hours of idling, not just minutes). If this happens, particulate matter will accumulate within the filter. If it reaches an 80% level, you will see an alert in the information center of your truck’s overhead console. This is not dangerous, but it does tell you that the engine needs to be given a little more “exercise” which will correct the situation.
To start the self-cleaning process, all you have to do is drive your Dodge Ram at 50 mph or so for a short while. Typically, about 45 minutes is all it takes for the system to clean itself, and a message in the overhead console will tell you when the self-cleaning is completed.
Do I Need To Take Action Immediately?
It takes a number of days to go from 80% to entirely filling up the DPF, and it won’t affect performance of the engine or the DPF, so it’s not something that has to be done immediately.
However, if the DPF exceeds 99% of capacity before a regeneration takes place, you could cause permanent damage to the filter. Again, an alert in your truck’s information center will appear as you reach this threshold. Simultaneously, power and torque will be reduced so that you can drive your vehicle to an authorized Dodge dealer for service without causing irreparable harm to the filter. However, if you choose to ignore these warning signals and continue to drive for an extended period of time, the filter will be ruined and need to be replaced in order to restore full power and torque to your truck.
A Cleaner Tomorrow Starts Today.
Driving a Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel means you are doing something good for the environment by reducing emissions. Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you for years to come.
The following 3 users liked this post by Whit:
#3
05-20-2008, 05:25 PM
its not that big of deal i've only got 2500 miles on my truck and the 80% full warning happened twice. when i read the book i realized i just need to run the **** out of it and it will take care of the rest. oh yeah and the harder i run the truck the more my fuel milage goes up 
#4
07-07-2008, 06:19 AM
Banned
No kidding. More fuel is used for power+heat and the computer dumps less straight into the exhaust just for heat. Another reason the DPF hurts the environment more than it helps.
#5
08-18-2008, 03:34 PM
All the DPF mombo jumbo is to keep the tree huggers happy!
I have 21K on my truck now. The light has came on three times. 4 weeks ago, without light coming on, the truck sounded real bad and it was not drivable at all. As soon as I put it in drive and tried to push the accelerator, it died. And FYI, I drive hard, every day. Never let her idel. Shortest distance is 27 miles. Each day I drive to work and back which is about 80 miles. If I haul my boat, it a 5 ton boat. If I haul the trailer, it is 14000 lbs trailer. So, I am not a casual commuter.
So, I called the Dodge dealer service department and talked with the tech. He said that it has to get towed to the shop. But the problem is that under warranty, they two it to closest Dodge dealer to my house, so, that was not acceptable.
Make the long story short, I took the exhust and the damn DPF off. The damn thing was solid closed off with soot. I used my shop vaccume and cleaned it from both sides. Then placed my air hose, and used a big towel to close around it. I let high pressure air through. Put things together, and it was just fine.
Now I have to take her in for 4 TSBs. The tech said that he has to drill the turbo and install a cleaning port into the turbo. I sure do not like this idea!
It is TSB number : 11-001-08
Group Exhaust
Date May 21 2008
Subject : 6.7 Turbocharger Cleaning Procedure.
Now I have this simple question: These new DPF crap that suppose to be Environmentally super dupper; but it is using %25 more full. And the refineries have to use energy to process that %25 extra fuel that we now use to be environmentally friendly; and also the tanker trucks have to use more fuel to deliver that additional %25 fuel to us; how are we going to be environmentally friendly by using more fuel?
I have 21K on my truck now. The light has came on three times. 4 weeks ago, without light coming on, the truck sounded real bad and it was not drivable at all. As soon as I put it in drive and tried to push the accelerator, it died. And FYI, I drive hard, every day. Never let her idel. Shortest distance is 27 miles. Each day I drive to work and back which is about 80 miles. If I haul my boat, it a 5 ton boat. If I haul the trailer, it is 14000 lbs trailer. So, I am not a casual commuter.
So, I called the Dodge dealer service department and talked with the tech. He said that it has to get towed to the shop. But the problem is that under warranty, they two it to closest Dodge dealer to my house, so, that was not acceptable.
Make the long story short, I took the exhust and the damn DPF off. The damn thing was solid closed off with soot. I used my shop vaccume and cleaned it from both sides. Then placed my air hose, and used a big towel to close around it. I let high pressure air through. Put things together, and it was just fine.
Now I have to take her in for 4 TSBs. The tech said that he has to drill the turbo and install a cleaning port into the turbo. I sure do not like this idea!
It is TSB number : 11-001-08
Group Exhaust
Date May 21 2008
Subject : 6.7 Turbocharger Cleaning Procedure.
Now I have this simple question: These new DPF crap that suppose to be Environmentally super dupper; but it is using %25 more full. And the refineries have to use energy to process that %25 extra fuel that we now use to be environmentally friendly; and also the tanker trucks have to use more fuel to deliver that additional %25 fuel to us; how are we going to be environmentally friendly by using more fuel?
#6
08-18-2008, 04:26 PM
tell us more bout this TSB when you learn eh
"Now I have to take her in for 4 TSBs. The tech said that he has to drill the turbo and install a cleaning port into the turbo. I sure do not like this idea!"
"Now I have to take her in for 4 TSBs. The tech said that he has to drill the turbo and install a cleaning port into the turbo. I sure do not like this idea!"
#7
08-19-2008, 07:40 AM
Here are the codes for the TSbs
P1451 - Diesel Particulate Filter System Performance.
P2463 - Diesel Particulate Filter - Soot Accumulation.
P242F - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Ash Accumulation.
Next tSB,
P0101 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Rationality
P0128 - Thermostat Rationality
P061A - ETC Level 2 Torque Performance.
U1421 - Impausible Ignition Key Off Time Received
Next tSB's Code might be P2262 which is Turbochrger Boost Pressure Not Detected - Mechanical.
This happens when soot covers turbo fins and inside the housing.
All new turbos already come with the cleaning port. The cleaning process is done after engine is warmed up to 1250 F and then, shot down, the cleaning flouid can get attached to the port unside down, start engine, rev up, squize the juice inside the turbo. This process has to get done 4 times. After that, it should be clean.
The last TSB is the one that requires an Update Kit 10138-UPD.
P1451 - Diesel Particulate Filter System Performance.
P2463 - Diesel Particulate Filter - Soot Accumulation.
P242F - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Ash Accumulation.
Next tSB,
P0101 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Rationality
P0128 - Thermostat Rationality
P061A - ETC Level 2 Torque Performance.
U1421 - Impausible Ignition Key Off Time Received
Next tSB's Code might be P2262 which is Turbochrger Boost Pressure Not Detected - Mechanical.
This happens when soot covers turbo fins and inside the housing.
All new turbos already come with the cleaning port. The cleaning process is done after engine is warmed up to 1250 F and then, shot down, the cleaning flouid can get attached to the port unside down, start engine, rev up, squize the juice inside the turbo. This process has to get done 4 times. After that, it should be clean.
The last TSB is the one that requires an Update Kit 10138-UPD.
The following users liked this post:
DB Admin (08-19-2008)
#8
08-19-2008, 06:50 PM
Banned
#10
08-25-2008, 02:08 AM
Banned
Their mentality is "If it LOOKS clean it must BE clean." They don't see the total impact that development/testing, manufacture, maintenance, higher fuel consumption, shorter engine life, cost of replacement and disposal the DPF really has.
The visible soot is why Diesels have always been perceived as dirty when the g@ssers have always (and still do) spew far more and far worse pollutants, they can't see the g@ssers emissions.
The problem is the USA is anti-diesel. They are trying to force diesels to be near-zero emissions in the two categories they know cannot be easily met due to their natural soot emissions, hot combustion and lean a/f ratios.
The best thing for anyone with a DPF/NOX cat to do is remove it entirely and program out the regeneration/post-injection cycle. Its better for the environment, better for the engine and better for the owner.
The visible soot is why Diesels have always been perceived as dirty when the g@ssers have always (and still do) spew far more and far worse pollutants, they can't see the g@ssers emissions.
The problem is the USA is anti-diesel. They are trying to force diesels to be near-zero emissions in the two categories they know cannot be easily met due to their natural soot emissions, hot combustion and lean a/f ratios.
The best thing for anyone with a DPF/NOX cat to do is remove it entirely and program out the regeneration/post-injection cycle. Its better for the environment, better for the engine and better for the owner.
