My first "Catalyst Full" Message

[AHarris]

Last week I got my first one--real cold here and not riding my bike to work like normal (work is only a mile away) so lots of 1-2 mile drives w/o warming up the engine and getting the truck up to speed. After about 2 weeks of this, I got a "catalyst full--80%" message along with a chime.



After work, I took the truck out on the highway and drove for about 10 minutes and watched the bar indicator go down from 80%, to 70% and then it went off and back to "System OK. " Because of what I've read here (and in the owner's DVD and manual) about the regen process taking around 30-45 minutes, I continued driving at 70-75mph for another half hour. Lo and behold, I followed the manual and DVD and it all worked flawlessly just as it was designed to do.



My life lately has me driving this truck on a lot of short trips without getting the engine fully warmed up. This truck is paid for and has 22K on it--zero problems (and it's a 07. 5 built in May '07) and I love it, and have no desire to get a different truck unless Dodge/Cummins comes out with a 1/2 ton diesel. I'd have to get a Tacoma V-6 to equal the fuel mileage I get with this. But I know this is not the ideal duty cycle for this particular engine/emissions combination. I know it won't be forever.



I always run with the EB on to keep the turbo clean and stick to the maintenance schedules religiously and have everything done at the dealer--even oil changes. I'd love to do it all myself but I just don't have the time right now. I use the Cummins standard oil from the Dodge dealer.



I've seen my share of bashing on here about the 6. 7 and I see many have had problems. As for me, so far I have nothing but good things to say about the engine and the truck. And I love that EB!! And I never get tired of driving that stick. Now that it's broken in, it shifts just as easy and smooth as most cars!

 

[ekroman]

I normally take a motorcycle to work, but now that winter has set in, the roads aren't every motorcycle friendly, so I've been splitting the driving between my 08 Quad Cab and my car (VW Passat 4motion).



I'll have to say, I've been pretty impressed with the QC. It's been good so far, at 14,000 miles it's managed to throw it's first code this weekend. I'll have the dealer check it, I'm thinking it's something benign. It seems to run really strong, so I'm not particularly worried about it.



The biggest problems I think are caused by short trips and failure to fully warm up the motor. I've got a much longer commute: 35 miles each way. Whenever I jump in, I try to plan to run several errands at once, and I try to make sure I'm driving far enough to get up to full operating temperature.



I think they had some teething problems when they first hit the market, but the latest software updates have probably helped tremendously.



I almost bought the 6-speed stick. I've always had automatics. This time, I drove the new 6 speed auto and I found it much better than previous autos.



Eddie

 

[WRStrong]

my 07. 5 has 31K on the clock now and although I've had a few check engine lights, it has performed perfectly. I don't drive it regularly and when I do it's a 35 mile one way trip to work or towing something. I have yet to change the fuel filter! . One thing i'll say is that this one isn't any fun to work on (maintenance ops) compared to the older ones. I just resigned myself to the fact that it's restricted by the government, and drive the living crud out of it. Still holding my breath for it to really foul up based on some posts I read here. Miss my 03 some, but the 07 is a nice truck.

 

[DBithell]

I get that about every week.

80% full then it can be withing a couple of blocks up to 100%!!!

So far have been lucky enough to get to the highway in time but just waiting to go into limp mode one of these days. Always happens during rush hour or inclimate weather. Why didnt Dodge/Cummins allow the driver to decide when would be a good time for the stupid regen???? Now when I get to the highway on my drive to nowhere and get it all warmed up says "regen in progress" then 90%, 80% and 70% then system OK. So seems to stop at 70% FULL!?! REGEN FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES. Seems to me that the dvd Dodge was nice enough to send me AFTER I'd bought this thing said it would take 45 minutes... and should go to 0% IMO.



On a side note, what is the reason for so many turbos having to be cleaned & REPLACED? Really want to know. Holset site says turbo failures normally are 1) air & 2) oil related. Is it the EGR or CCV or what I don't know.



Thanks.

 

[JCarlisle]

I just asked the dealer today about this as the Company I work for just bought a bunch of them(5500's) and they will have to regen at Idle or in city traffic because they all have PTO driven aerial lifts on them. He said that they would work like the Fords and Regen at Idle like the Fords. If they don't Dodge will have to rethink the Heavy Duty Market for Trucks like these.

My 2009 has never said it was full but It is suppoed to Regen at Idle. The Dealer said that the older Trucks could be flashed with a new program and they would regen at idle also. I drive my truck like the 05 it replaced and 2000 I still have and it works I don't worry about the regen it had better take care of itself as I didn't ask for the emissions crap

 

[pwr2tow]

There is a new reflash out, just a few months old, that will allow these engines to go into regen at idle. This is to help those who idle or are back in no where's land get there soot level back to normal.

Each year truck has a different reflash number such as the 09's are now at AS. This spring they were at AJ and what they came from factory with all depends on build date.

Best thing is to take your truck back to dealership or a dependable dealership and have them check which update is in the truck. All year models should have this new update just different suffix codes to the reflash.

The dealership should do this under warranty with no charge as dodge is allowing them to do this to avoid more expensive warranty problems later. If the dealership says they will charge you either tell them about the dodge warranty thing or take it some where more reliable.

 

[WMonroe]

My dads 08 will regen at idle. Last year we had it out on a gas road probably a 35 minute drive from nearest paved road and it reached 100% full. It did its regen routine and dropped to 70% and the message disappeared and hasn't ever come back even after more of the same driving.