Interesting Ford Diesel Option

[jgillott]

I was talking to a fellow Jayco owner yesterday who just put in an order for a new 2018 F450 Superduty pickup. Anyway, when we were discussing the options that he chose, he mentioned that he ordered the optional manual driver regeneration control. Not having really followed Ford diesel development over the last couple of years, I frankly didn't believe him that Ford offered such an option. Well, low and behold, I just looked it up on the Ford site and they do in fact offer what they call "Operator Commanded Regeneration". I cut and paste the description from the Ford Build and Price site below.

Operator Commanded Regeneration

The available 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel periodically injects extra fuel to burn off soot that accumulates in the diesel particulate filter (DPF). Some operating conditions, such as idling for long periods, don’t generate enough heat and thus won’t allow for this normal automatic regeneration to occur. That’s why Operator-Commanded Regeneration is optional on Super Duty® XL and XLT models. When the light on the instrument panel comes on to indicate the need for manual regeneration, pushing the activation button raises the exhaust temperature to burn off the soot. No need to have to drive to get the engine temperature high enough for regeneration. After the burn-off is completed, the exhaust temperature reverts to normal level. Recommended for commercial applications. See your dealer for details.

So my question for Wayne or anyone else that has experience with these 6.7L Fords, is this a common option on the Ford commercial trucks? Has the ability to manually force a regeneration helped in the reliability or their emissions system? Seems like such a simple solution to allow that feature. I wonder why the other manufacturers are not offering the same capability. I certainly wish my Sprinter offered that capability. ​

 

[Bob4x4]

You can bet it is a medium duty + type thing.I know at one time it was a thing on big rigs as well.It will never happen on light duties to the epa does not want consumers to have any control over emission controls

 

[jgillott]

You can bet it is a medium duty + type thing.I know at one time it was a thing on big rigs as well.It will never happen on light duties to the epa does not want consumers to have any control over emission controls

That makes sense. Can you imagine the number of service appointments that could be eliminated with such an easy fix for a problem. Assuming that it works as advertised and owners would actually use it of course.

 

[SnoKing]

"Super Duty® XL and XLT models"

This appears to be a key to the issue. Most consumers would be ordering higher trim levels and not setting around idling all day.

I kind a wish my RAM would at least tell me that it is in regen. After 2 years and 36K, I have never been aware of a regen occurring. SnoKing

 

[mwilson]

You can force medium and heavy duty stuff into a Regen at will. Switch right on the dash.

 

[jgillott]

I kind a wish my RAM would at least tell me that it is in regen. After 2 years and 36K, I have never been aware of a regen occurring. SnoKing

I feel the same way with my Sprinter. 2+ years and I couldn't tell you when it has done a regen. In a way it is great that it is so seamless. On the other hand, if it would give you a little notification of a regen in progress, it would allow you to be more aware of your driving pattern, vehicle duty cycle, etc.

 

[n7gxz]

I kind a wish my RAM would at least tell me that it is in regen. After 2 years and 36K, I have never been aware of a regen occurring. SnoKing

On my 2011 you can tell when it goes into regen by watching the current MPG graph, I will drop and hold at about 8 to 10 MPG when it should be up around 15 MPG. When done it jumps back up to normal.

Kevin

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes it is an option on F550's at least, as well as timed shutdown and PTO speeds. You can monitor soot load, and at a certain point (I think it's 80%) you can regenerate through the center dash/ steering wheel arrows. We have one '17 F250 as a rig. I'm going to have to check that one.

 

[jgillott]

I found this Ford Tech Talk video on the option.

I hope I've linked this correct

https://youtu.be/Z-cTL4sbmmQ

 

[jgillott]

I just took a look at the Ford build and price site and it is available for order on the F250 and up XL and XLT.

 

[JR]

It's been an option on the QSB 6.7 and QSC 8.3 in all of our Grove cranes (RT765, GRT100, RT9130E and RT9150E). All but one of these cranes which we just took delivery of have several thousand hours on them the 9130 having the most time with over 10,000 hrs. The vast majority of these hours are idle - medium RPM/load. Very seldom does an engine in a crane see what I would consider heavy duty/load cycles. I've yet to have a situation where I've needed to force a manual Regen. I suppose the option would be nice but yet to see it needed on these engines.

 

[Wayne M.]

We've had QSB 6.7's in Johnston sweepers. Had a Cummins total aftertreatment package back in '08 when other trucks had troublesome mish mosh integrated systems. Those Cummins were never ever down and regen'd without anyone knowing it. There was a rocker switch to initiate when a light comes on. I think I did it once or twice.
The F250 I mentioned earlier does not have soot load reading or a choice to do a regen. I guess the option is turned off.

 

[NIsaacs]

Another interesting feature on the 6.7 diesel/auto combo, is they appear to use the same medium duty SAE style bellhousing for F-250 up to the F-750. If Ram would do that, it would be easy to upgrade the manual transmission to a medium duty 7 spd, at least on the 4x2 trucks

Nick

 

[jgillott]

That is interesting. I also like the fact that they offer a supplemental cab heat system. On my Sprinter, I have a factory installed fuel fired heater (Mercedes rebranded Espar) and it is amazing. Now I believe that the Ford unit may be electric, but would be another great option for the other manufacturers to offer.

 

[Bob4x4]

That is interesting. I also like the fact that they offer a supplemental cab heat system. On my Sprinter, I have a factory installed fuel fired heater (Mercedes rebranded Espar) and it is amazing. Now I believe that the Ford unit may be electric, but would be another great option for the other manufacturers to offer.

The cabin heaters are std in non us model FCA vehicles

 

[jgillott]

The cabin heaters are std in non us model FCA vehicles

I'd love to know why they are not available here.

 

[NIsaacs]

I'd love to know why they are not available here.

EPA?

When I was a kid we had about a 1956 Chrysler 300 with the the small hemi 361? with a gas burner heater like the VW used, sucked gas tho. Wished I still had it along with about 20 other cars and pickups of the 50's and 60's that I used up and parked.

Nick

 

[Wayne M.]

I was talking to a fellow Jayco owner yesterday who just put in an order for a new 2018 F450 Superduty pickup. Anyway, when we were discussing the options that he chose, he mentioned that he ordered the optional manual driver regeneration control. Not having really followed Ford diesel development over the last couple of years, I frankly didn't believe him that Ford offered such an option. Well, low and behold, I just looked it up on the Ford site and they do in fact offer what they call "Operator Commanded Regeneration". I cut and paste the description from the Ford Build and Price site below.

Operator Commanded Regeneration

The available 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel periodically injects extra fuel to burn off soot that accumulates in the diesel particulate filter (DPF). Some operating conditions, such as idling for long periods, don’t generate enough heat and thus won’t allow for this normal automatic regeneration to occur. That’s why Operator-Commanded Regeneration is optional on Super Duty® XL and XLT models. When the light on the instrument panel comes on to indicate the need for manual regeneration, pushing the activation button raises the exhaust temperature to burn off the soot. No need to have to drive to get the engine temperature high enough for regeneration. After the burn-off is completed, the exhaust temperature reverts to normal level. Recommended for commercial applications. See your dealer for details.

So my question for Wayne or anyone else that has experience with these 6.7L Fords, is this a common option on the Ford commercial trucks? Has the ability to manually force a regeneration helped in the reliability or their emissions system? Seems like such a simple solution to allow that feature. I wonder why the other manufacturers are not offering the same capability. I certainly wish my Sprinter offered that capability. ​

I had to dig to dredge this one up, but I finally came across a window sticker for one of the 550's. Manual regen option is $250.

 

[jgillott]

Thanks Wayne. That's the first window sticker that I've seen with that option listed.