Temporarily driving with dpf filter removed

Yes they are as far as parts go. Told Dave while he was working the computer i can't pay an extra thousand for the filter. I have to defend Dave and the shop though. They've generally been good to me and helped me where they can. It's still dadgum expensive getting in and out of the shop but he gives me a break and has run the computer as a courtesy for me. That means a lot to this poor operator

 

Ordered the new filter today after Kenworth confirmed the soot level was stage 4 and he told me it cannot be cleaned at this point. I know I've cleaned it before and the truck is at 22.5k hours/ 640k miles. Figure it's due for replacement regardless. New filter should arrive Friday

Fortunately today the stop engine light decided to go away and the dadgum thing even allowed me to perform the stationary Regen. All lights are out and driving full speed again. Had to drive it a little longer then a full day with the stop engine light on and severe derate, only allowing enough engine torque to provide about 10psi boost. Really had a hard time with the halliburton flashbacks...

At least if it holds i should be able to run full speed until New filter gets here and i can get time to swap them.

 

After i had to replace the dpf filter it ran well until around March i believe. Got to having problems again. Truck was telling me low def and flashing the red light in the gauge even though the level was high, about 3/4. I ended up having to replace dosing injector, def fluid pump, hoses for def and that little dadgum screen in the bottom of the def tank. (Ended up having to pull the tank off because i dropped the stupid dadgum tiny oring and the way the tank sits under the sleeper have very little room to work with). First replacement Def pump must have been bad, Kenworth did warranty it though.

Truck has been running well after all that, for the most part anyways. Wasn't able to work whatsoever from April 1 to June 8 though. Corona and the oil war removed all work.

Since i live and generally work only in Wyoming now I've taken a hard look at delete, technically it can be done here if the truck stays here. Main thing that keeps me from doing it is i would absolutely have to have my own computer and be able to commit to doing any and all work to the truck myself for the most part. No dealership and the majority of truck shops cannot risk touching a deleted truck. Fines are outrageous. Would have to work with a good shade tree mechanic who happens to have davie (there aren't many trees in Wyoming after all). Delete would solve all after treatment problems but if you need to replace am injector you're screwed without the computer. I tried hunting down computers for a while and pretty well came up with i really just need to get the #### davie programs and pay the subscription for it. Paccar did a real good job locking down it's software. There are other programs you can get by with but you won't be able to do everything with them.

All in all i really have to say that it's actually a pretty good engine. At least the engine itself has been relatively complaint free, couple fuel injectors is really about all it's needed besides the after treatment woes. Like goody snap is saying, have to know the preventative maintenance and take care of it. Really can be said for any engine. Seems like I've seen everyone fight numerous problems with after treatment systems, old and new. Think it's designed that way myself.

Probably would be better to trade truck off for a glider rather then pay for the delete and deal with the risk of fines after being caught...