DPF question

[james182]

Just bought my first Dodge diesel a few weeks ago. Very pleased so far, but I'm still trying to get all this DPF stuff figured out.

The overhead screen has come on indicating that the DPF is at 80% and is in need of regeneration. So I took off down the highway, the engine temp came up and it started into the regeneration. After a few minutes the screen indicated it was at 70% and then after a few more minutes it said regeneration was complete; not more than 10 minutes. Is this typical? I was expecting the regeneration cycle to take longer. Is there something wrong? I took it to a local Diesel service shop, they said they couldn't really check it, but that there was a P1451 code from the computer and they recommended adding a can of DPF cleaner (DPF Power Clean from Blue Chem www.bluechemusa.com) to my next tank of fuel to help clean the DPF. Is this typcial? Is this stuff OK for the engine?

In general, is it better to have work done by a local reputable Diesel shop or by and actual Dodge Dealer?

 

[Hoefler]

Pretty normal. Never heard of a fuel additive to clean the DPF. I have had the 80% full notice one time during a snowstorm, truck ran/idled for almost 10 hours straight while we were chaining trucks. Conditions made it impossible to do any highway speeds at all. I did find out, by driving 30 mph for 12 miles did allow it to go into regeneration and complete it. Outside temps were in the 20's with a strong wind, I had the Mopar winter front on and the truck was at operating temperature all day.

 

[Jim W]

This is what the P1451 code means; Diesel Particulate Filter System Performance.

So I would think you are having an issue with the DPF regeneration taking place. Are you doing excessive idling of the truck or a lot of start and stop driving in a city type environment? How often do you take the truck out and drive at highway speeds for a period of time to promote a passive regeneration of the DPF?

Now as far as additives for the fuel system to clean the DPF I have never heard of them either. So I would suggest that you Google them on the internet and see what others have said about this brand of DPF cleaner. Maybe Sag2, Bob4X4 or another diesel technician that is on this site could comment on this additive.

Jim W.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

James182, you did not say what truck you have, but from your question we assume a 2007.5 through 2012.

I am a newby and still learning as well, but I believe your truck behaved as it should. The type of driving is a significant factor in how the emissions system behaves. I don't use my truck as a daily driver - pretty much only on the highway, and am usually towing something. I have never gotten the warning messages. But, your experience reads right out of the owners' manual.

There is a lot to know about this, but thankfully it is all here to read, and the good folks on this forum are an amazing help. See TDR 72, pgs 32-33 to get started - you will want to read the earlier articles referenced to get a clear picture on how everything works. TDR 73 pgs 38-39 and TDR 74 pgs 42-43 provide real world experience with the emissions system.

I have never heard or seen anything about putting something in the fuel to clean the DPF. I would think if it was a good idea then it surely would be commonplace on this forum; the fact that I have not seen anything on this forum about that would make me hesitate. The current TDR has a good discussion on fuel additives. I am in the camp of not adding anything to the fuel except possibly the low temperature additives that are referenced in the Cummins publication - again, a good discussion in the current TDR. I have not been in an operating situation of continuous temperatures a good bit below zero degrees Fahrenheit and so have not used any additives.

 

[crispyboy]

It looks like Blue Chem has several products for diesel engines. I don't know anything about them but can't see any reason that it wouldn't work.
http://bluechem-canada.com/product/dpf-power-clean/

I started using some Stanadyne performance formula in the last couple of tanks just out of curiosity. I noticed the engine seems quieter when it is cold and does seem to turn over quicker both cold and warm. Mileage increase was negligible. I was hoping it would blow a little less soot towards the DPF. I used to run additive in a VW Jetta and there was considerable difference in tail pipe soot when you hit the accelerator. The company propaganda claims it helps with soot.

 

[james182]

The truck is a 2007 2500 Mega cab with a 6.7. Unfortunately, a lot of my driving is short and local; however, I have been getting 40 min of 45-55 mph at least once a week.

I guess, since the overhead display read 80% and then 70%, I was expecting to watch it come down through 60%, 50, 40... etc but it just seemed like it jumped from 70% to completed. This is the part that I am questioning (plus it has the code).

I've also been idling the truck for a few minutes in the morning, thinking I should let it warm up before a little before I drive it (especially since it's a short trip), but I'm getting a sense that I shouldn't do that. Thoughts? Of course in NW Washington, we're not really dealing with extreme cold temps either.

 

[sag2]

There isn't any "cleaner" that I know of to clean the DPF. The secret is to keep the engine from building soot so the DPF does not have to clean up more soot than necessary. First thing to do is stop by the dealer and see if there is a flash update for the ECM. The newest flashes do a good job of controlling soot. If you want to run any cleaner to clean the injectors, Mopar has a PN for CRC Diesel Fuel Therapy. It is less expensive if you get the CRC at Napa. Run the quart size in a full tank and drive it hard.

 

[xcc_rider]

Your short trips aren't allowing the dpf to complete an active regen cycle and you will slowly build up soot in the dpf until the P1451 code and 80% full message comes in. The P1451 code captures freeze frame data for the tech to diagnose the cause off the soot build up which in your case sounds like your driving style.
What you saw on the ovhd was normal for a dpf that's in active regen. The 80%, 70% will show and the ovhd clears at 60% but the regen isn't complete. You still have somewhere around 50-60% soot loading on it and need to continue driving for another 20 minutes or so at highway speed to successfully complete the active regen cycle. Just try to keep the rpm's above 1400 and stay out of stop and go traffic as you'll go in and out of regen in city traffic and the ecm will have a difficult time completing the cycle.
I do mostly in town driving and short trips but when I go into active regen (every 150-200 miles) I'll take it out on the hiway and run it for 20-25 minutes until the regen is complete. Its a pita but it keeps the dpf cleaned out and working as it should. Think of it as the price of owning a epa regulated diesel truck.
So just add alittle mileage to your once a week longer commute and you should be fine.