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Thread: Diesel Particulate Filter
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06-01-2023, 12:18 PM #1
Diesel Particulate Filter
Question for all the diesel enthusiasts out there: has anyone had a problem with their Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)? I had to take my 2014 Ram 3500 Dually to a dealership for an EGR service, an oil change, a fuel filter change, and a crank case vent (CCV) filter change. After that work, I got a "Perform Service" error and on my way back to the check engine light came on, then in short order I got a "Exhaust system 90% full" - "Exhaust system 100% full" - then the DPF caught on fire, leaving my insurance company with a $15K bill. I assume that one or more of the "repairs" is to blame, but I'd love a second opinion.
Ussuri Bruin (and his owners)
2014 Ram Laramie Mega Cab 3500 DRW
24K Pull-Rite SuperGlide Hitch
2015 Momentum 380TH
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06-01-2023, 01:40 PM #2
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Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
Current Coach: 2021 Grand Design Reflection 320MKS
Current Rig: 2019 Ford F350 SD Crew Cab, w/8' box, Lariat, SRW, 6.7l Diesel
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06-01-2023, 01:49 PM #3
Still hoping for thoughts, but:
My advice to everyone with a diesel is to spend time getting smart about your emissions system - because while it is great for air quality, it is also extremely complex and extremely fragile. If anything is wrong (small crack in an air line that gives the computer a false reading, sensor out of calibration, etc) it can go VERY wrong VERY quickly.Ussuri Bruin (and his owners)
2014 Ram Laramie Mega Cab 3500 DRW
24K Pull-Rite SuperGlide Hitch
2015 Momentum 380TH
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06-01-2023, 04:17 PM #4
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I drive a diesel. Chevy Colorado 4 banger with all the emission control stuff. (GM sold a 4 banger turbo disel in the US. Guys always ask "they make a diesel in that truck?". Yes, but GM stopped making them again.)
Your DPF caught fire?
I guess it could happen. I've had DFP/SCR issues and went poking around for details and, man, you're right that modern diesel emissions is complex stuff. The regen process evidently sprays fuel into an exhaust chamber to do a "controlled" burn of the exhaust cruft. It sounds like your truck's burn became "UNcontrolled".
I've never heard of a diesel exhaust catching fire. Runaway diesel engine -- sure. I once saw a puff of smoke during a regen cycle out my exhaust on a long road trip. But not a fire. My Colorado's DPF issue was the ammonia fluid (so the blue stuff) would freeze up and the built-in DPF tank heaters were faulty, so then a DPF cycle was missed, and the computer would start counting down to limp mode. I don't think diesels are being targetted for limp mode. Gas and electric vehicles are going into limp mode for all sorts of reasons these days. Just search any car forum. It's total crap that computers are hobbling the vehicles we drive.
This new diesel emissions stuff does mean you can't run just any engine oil. Evidently the DPF will get clogged from running oils that aren't low ash. A lot of old gear heads want to use good ol' straight weights don't like to hear that. I only put in Dexos2 stamped stuff. Mobil1 ESP or Pennzoil Platinum Euro L. The stuff ain't at Wally World. Some guys buy the AC Delco version from their dealer to make sure a tech doesn't put in just any oil.
Hopefully the dealer is being held responsible. It's just a bit too concicidental that right after the dealer serviced your truck, it caught fire.Last edited by vap0rtranz; 06-01-2023 at 04:18 PM. Reason: always
'21 Imagine XLS 17KME
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06-01-2023, 05:21 PM #5
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You would need to do the troubleshooting yourself or hire a third party to investigate. EGR or PCV wires disconnected. Disassemble the EGR and PCV to see if anything was installed wrong. If its at the dealership for repair, I doubt they will own up to the fault. Best bet is to discuss the details with the insurance company and let them fight it out with the dealership.
Issue should be reported to NHTSA. They have a like on their website https://www.nhtsa.gov/
Look at the bright side. You, and no loved ones, were hurt. It could have been much worse.Ken & Tammy
Union Valley, TX
2021 GD Reflection 303RLS 5th Wheel
2019 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 4x4
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06-01-2023, 09:55 PM #6
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OP--do you know what actually burned?
Wild guess is that the DPF is not the root cause of the problem but when it got to its normally very high temperature during regen it started something else external to DPF to overheat. Improper assembly of fuel filter near the fuel tank (not far from DPF) is a reasonable possibility. Inspection for fuel leaks after filter change is a must.Last edited by TimtheToolMan; 06-01-2023 at 10:03 PM.
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06-03-2023, 03:57 PM #7
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I don't think the dealership is going to fess up to real cause. They don't want to be liable for the repairs.
Here is a good scenario:
Dealership way over filled the crankcase with oil. Running the engine caused atomization of the oil which overwhelmed the PCV (hmm, that was worked on as well). This lead to motor oil being introduced into the combustion cycle which will clog a DPF rapidly. Then the emission controls started a regen cycle to clean the DPF which introduced fuel oil into the DPF. With all that fuel in the DPF (motor oil + fuel oil) I can easily see how the DPF would catch fire internally.Ken & Tammy
Union Valley, TX
2021 GD Reflection 303RLS 5th Wheel
2019 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 4x4
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06-03-2023, 09:06 PM #8"Look at the bright side. You, and no loved ones, were hurt. It could have been much worse."
"OP--do you know what actually burned?"
"Wild guess is that the DPF is not the root cause of the problem"
"Here is a good scenario:
- Thank you, that's exactly the kind of 'what could have happened' that helps me (altho given what all burned, I'm not sure that anyone will ever have definitive proof of what actually happened."Ussuri Bruin (and his owners)
2014 Ram Laramie Mega Cab 3500 DRW
24K Pull-Rite SuperGlide Hitch
2015 Momentum 380TH
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06-03-2023, 09:57 PM #9
The SCR theory makes no sense. All that entails is DEF being injected into the SCR (selective catalyst reduction) This lowers NOX emissions. Since DEF is basically UREA which is pretty close to piss... It cannot increase the exhaust temp. It cools it. Now the DPF injects diesel into the exhaust to burn off the soot that clogs the DPF.(Think: burning off a grill)
Last edited by huntindog; 06-04-2023 at 04:00 AM.
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06-03-2023, 10:34 PM #10
I agree, it seemed odd to me as well. Could a screaming hot DPF have perhaps managed the heat, but something just past it couldn't? That is, the heat came from the DPF but hit the burning point on a connecter?
Ussuri Bruin (and his owners)
2014 Ram Laramie Mega Cab 3500 DRW
24K Pull-Rite SuperGlide Hitch
2015 Momentum 380TH
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