Regen Question

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by dodgeram440rt, Dec 24, 2010.

  1. dodgeram440rt

    dodgeram440rt Heavy Load Member

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    First of all, let me say that I really know nothing at all about diesel engines. I was an auto mechanic in a past life, but always steered clear of any type of diesel service beyond changing the oil on someones 1 ton pick up.

    Now on to my problem. I drive a 2009 Freightliner Columbia with a Detroit Diesel engine. I've been driving the truck for about 6 months now with absolutely no serious issues up to now. The problem is that, as I'm driving along, suddenly the check engine light will come on. Now being a former auto mechanic, I understand that sensors in the engine have detected some kind of fault that needs to be checked out, but I'm still ok to drive so far.

    As I continue driving, after a while, a regen light will come on steady, then a short time later that light will start flashing. It is my understanding that when this light starts flashing, it indicates that I need to perform a parked, manual regen.

    My issue here is that, after 6 months of trouble free driving, in the last two weeks I've had to do 3 parked regens and the lights have come on more times then that, but have gone out on their own.

    I have taken the truck in to our company shop when this first started and they showed me how to do the regen. I spoke with another person at the same shop today and he seemed to have a better idea of what was going on with it.

    He told me there is an injector in the regen chamber that will develope some carbon and thus causing the lights. He also said that colder temps may have some effect on this, which I wondered about as most of my problems have occurred with temps down in the teens, although it did happen today and temps were in the 30's.

    At this point, I'm just trying to educate myself about this system so I can understand better what I need to have done. The person I talked to today indicated that I need to have that injector replaced and it may need to go to the dealer for that.

    Does anyone here have any opinions?
     
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  3. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    I'm eager to see the responses here, too. A friend of mine has a 2008 (maybe 2009?) Freightliner Century Class with a Detroit Series 60 in it. His fuel mileage had been in the 7 mpgs and higher fully loaded, but has been slipping lately and now he can't even get 7 mpg bobtail. The engine bucks and has even stalled on him.

    The one significant change he's noticed is that the truck used to regen about every other day. Now it's going through the regen cycle about twice a day. (On his last run of a bit over 400 miles, it cycled twice.)

    He's thinking that the filter needs to be cleaned (replaced?) and is hoping to get to a terminal to have it done. Does anything have any other suggestions? And would a dirty/clogged filter affect the power?
     
  4. slick50

    slick50 Light Load Member

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    I have a 2011 Coronado with DD15, dpf and scr, so my response is limited but hopefully useful.
    Your DPF needs to be manually cleaned. It has to be taken off the truck by a shop and appropriately cleaned out. Yes, a dirty DPF will affect power, milage, etc.
     
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  5. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    Take it to a mechanic that can remove and clean the DPF filter. If it is too clogged then it needs to be replaced along with any sensors that happen to break while they are trying to get the stupid thing apart.

    Been there, have the t-shirt taken off my back to pay for it.
     
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  6. dodgeram440rt

    dodgeram440rt Heavy Load Member

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    So what you are saying is I have a dirty DPF? What exactly does that mean? My problem has not seemed to affect my power at all and I really don't know about my milage. Really the truck doesn't run an differently, I guess I just need to know right now if it will do any harm if I continue driving it as is?
     
  7. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    A DPF filter cartridge will clog up over time. Doing regens or not. They need to be removed and cleaned by a shop. If it gets too clogged the ECU will shut the truck down and you'll get to have a tow to a shop to do the work for you.

    What is the mileage on the truck and has the DPF ever been cleaned yet?
     
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  8. dodgeram440rt

    dodgeram440rt Heavy Load Member

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    My truck currently has about 238,000 and hasn't had anything like that in the 6 months that I've been in it. I doubt that it has had anything like this before. How long does something like what you are saying usually take? And does it have to be done at a dealership or can a company shop take care of it. The guy at our shop mentioned something about another of our trucks currently at the dealer for a simlar problem. But he was also talking about an injector that gets clogged up with carbon. is this the sasme as what you are refering too?
     
  9. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    It is due for a DPF cleaning then at that mileage. Some dealerships have the specialized equipment. There are other shops that are specializing in cleaning and servicing them. If it becomes completely clogged then it MUST be replaced and the cost goes up A LOT!
     
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  10. dodgeram440rt

    dodgeram440rt Heavy Load Member

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    Do all trucks have a dpf? What exactly is it?

    And another stupid question...what is this DEF fluid/exhaust fuel(?) i see at truckstops and does my truck need it?

    Again, I've had my truck for 6 months and have never had to do anything to it other than a couple b-services. I've never even had to add any oil or coolant to it as nothing leaks. The truck is like brand new.
     
  11. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    DPF = Diesel Particular Filter

    All trucks built 2007 and later have it. Some '07's will not as they were built early on or late in '06. The factories had to use up existing engines and setups before building new setups.

    Only 2010 and later use DEF fluid. Your company should have informed you of this. If you haven't had to buy any in over 6 months you do not need it. It goes in a separate tank by one of the fuel tanks. There would also be a separate gauge right by your fuel gauge telling you when DEF fluid is low.
     
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