F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

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dfredendall
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F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

I am experiencing an occasional towing phenom. with my '08 Ford F-350, with 149,000 miles. Under heavy, hard sustained uphill pulls in hot weather, my exhaust temp pushes 1000 degs.F. I hold back keeping in mind where my exhaust temp probe is. It is in the down pipe behind the turbo. At any rate, I have had several times where the "wrench" appears on the dash cluster, always while towing. It never has occurred solo. It does not go into "limp mode", and I detect no power change. Often it is before or right after a Regen, which invariably occurs when I need to pull a grade. It will not reset itself. To reset the light I stop, turn off engine for a couple minutes, then restart. The "wrench" is gone and off we go as normal. I have an OBDII code reader, but have not plugged it in with the wrench light on to see if a code is set. I will do that next time. In reading my owner's manual, and my Ford Shop Service manual, they say after 120,000 miles it is common to need to clean the Diesel Particulate Filter attached to the catalytic converter in the exhaust system. They say even though regens occur, after time excessive ash can build up in the DPF, causing excessive DPF pressures, setting the wrench or check engine light on the dash. It seems like the regens are coming closer together, less than 200 miles apart. Ford says at 250,000 miles the filter should be replaced. Some diesel services are offering to "bake" the filter and cook off all residue ash, to rejuvenate the filter, then reinstall it. This component is large like a catalytic converter or muffler. It will take some work to remove it. It is not a spin on filter like many of us are used to for oil and fuel.. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm hoping DieselDave04 can offer insight. Any TSBs on this? Is this process expensive?
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
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2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
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jtaylor1920

Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by jtaylor1920 »

Dana,

This may be a good one to post over on thedieselstop.com if DieselDave doesn't have any ideas. I've gotten some good information off the site as it is geared towards Ford diesels. I am also curious to see if you've got any codes popping up as well. I have heard about "baking" a DPF but mostly related to big rigs.
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

I have read lots of the dieselstop posts, and printed a good one. Our DPF is a sealed torpedo like a catalytic converter. Looks like it must be blasted with air from the ends, or washed and dried out. I watched a you-tube video of baking a DPF from a semi truck. Nice but not our type. I'll have to reproduce it or wait for it to happen to check for codes. I have a brand new code reader, better than my original one. I will try it to see if a code was stored. I can almost predict it will happen, because I have the scenario conditions figured out. Exhaust heat and air temps are factors for certain.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
Highland, California
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2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
There are great experiences and new friends everywhere we go!
jtaylor1920

Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by jtaylor1920 »

I ran across this service while doing some research. I'm not sure if they service small trucks but they do have service centers in California - http://cleandieselspecialists.com/services/

I also found new DPF filters for $1750.00 :shock:
snoking

Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by snoking »

If the wrench was turned on because of a code, the code would be set in the ECM or pcm. Turning the engine off once should not reset the code. Are there any codes set now? If so record it/them and reset it/them. Next time you get the wrench check for codes again. Chris
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

I have to plug in my reader(s) to check for codes. Wrench appeared 7/22 going up I-5 Grapevine headed home from Canyonville. We stopped in Gorman, shut it off, then restarted engine. Went home with no issues. That is normal routine. Wrench is not on now and won't come back until I repeat a hill climb in hot weather. Will let you know about any codes. I've driven it every day since then.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

Plugged in both readers to check for codes. My original/older one would not read at all. The new, more sophisticated one scanned all sorts of things and came up with no set codes or preliminary codes, and said all is OK. I shall have to wait for the light to appear and check again. That will be some time in distant future. No new trips planned real soon. My new reader allows it to be plugged in and test while the engine is running, so I can set it up before hand. That is a good thing. I will also do more research on cleaning the DPF, either with "air", "boiling" or "pickling" All terms are used for the process of eliminating excess ash. :idea:
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by jacknife »

DPF need to be cleaned periodically. if you are not running Diesel Exhaust Fluid you have a higher EGR ratio relative to an engine running DEF. You can take it off and have it baked if it is not to bad it can be blown out.If you have it done make sure the give you a before and after restriction report on paper. Big truck little trucks they both use the same systems.
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

I have an appointment Tuesday 9/8/15 with a local diesel shop to have the DPF checked, removed, tested, "baked" and replaced. I will get before and after flow tests. Est. cost $550-$600. I'm hoping it is not something more serious. Their counter diagnosis from my descriptions is excess ash build up, requiring "baking". Seems to be a question whether a 2008 6.4 system can be baked. Will know more on Tuesday. This year does not use DEF.
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by Diesel Dave 04 »

You most likely were hitting high exh. backpressure do to the DPF not flowing enough under heavy load, But if you had a code it would help send us in the right direction. I seen wrench lites for tranny issues, bad alternators under and over boost, 1000 exhaust temp is not to high 1350 is max.
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

Took the truck in today. They diagnose that the DPF needs to be "baked" to burn off residual ash. The "bake" lasts 12-14 hours or longer if needed. They will provide me with pre- "Bake" air flow and filter weight, then post-"Bake" air flow and weight. They said EGR cooler system and everything else checked out fine, so no issues there. I will ask if any codes were present. I found none, but they have the Ford software. Should have it back tomorrow or next day.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
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2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
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jtaylor1920

Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by jtaylor1920 »

Dana, did they get the truck finished?
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

I picked up the truck today from the Diesel Shop. They removed the particulate filter from the exhaust system and sent it out to a local radiator shop who performed the flow tests and "baking". They then re-installed the filter and sent me out the door. Total cost $545. The cost of "baking" was $435. I drove it home 10 miles, and noticed the throttle seems a bit more responsive with exhaust temp in normal range. It will be some time before I have a towing trip that can reproduce the conditions where the wrench appeared. Time will tell whether the procedure is successful. I think it cannot hurt. I'm at 151,000 miles on the truck.

Test Results: Vacuum Pressure Differential: Before= 6.2 psi; After= 1.8 psi. Soot Volume: Before= 20674 grams; After= 20626 grams.

I recognize the first test is a flow test measurement, much like the force needed to suck a malt through a straw. The lower number means free flow > better performance. The second test is weight of the filter. Seems there is 48 grams (21 oz.) less after baking. Less soot/sludge I guess. By the way, I went to my local Ford dealer parts guys, who I trust, and priced a "New" Filter. The cost is $1794. plus $150 core charge. For $545 I have to think positively. :d

Addendum 9/17/15 I stopped by the shop that "Baked" the DPF. They confirmed the vacuum/airflow test is psi, and told me upwards of 6 psi toward 7 or8 psi is considered "plugged". The 48 grams (21 oz.) of residual ash is significant excess. He told me as engines wear and oil consumption increases, the filter will catch the oily residue and clog faster. Fortunately I have no oil consumption/loss between oil changes.
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2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by watkinsk »

Dana, did you look at the BG DPF cleaning products to clean up your filter? I just heard the BG product advertised this weekend and have no idea if it is a good product.
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Re: F-350 Diesel Particulate Filter

Post by dfredendall »

Keith, No I did not look at BG Products. One issue I ran into is the fact that the Ford DPF is a sealed unit much like a muffler or catalytic converter. It will be destroyed if it is opened up to get to the core. I have a good appreciation for the process after going to the shop that actually cleaned it. They use a fume hood that has air pressure and vacuum functions, and insert the DPF hooking it up to air flow.Next it is at high temps. Just passing air through it is not sufficient cleaning. I am not sure how effective solvents and washing would be. Forums I researched said that "washing" is only 50% effective.

Point of Discussion: I have not towed since having the DPF cleaned, but with normal around town driving I am seeing a big improvement. Fewer Regens have occurred, and they finish in 1/2 the time they were taking. I have better throttle response and last tank of fuel saw 16.6 mpg mostly freeway driving. Now that has been unheard of for this F-350. I usually was thrilled to see 14-15 mpg. I know, that Dodge sees 16+ normally, and I have heard Duramax drivers brag with high mileages. Fact of Life, Not so on Fords. The cleaning has made a difference.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
Highland, California
2018 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
There are great experiences and new friends everywhere we go!
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