Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/42794
TRUCKING OPPORTUNITIES Cleaning is done at Detroit's network of remanufacturing centers, which are outfitted to do liquid and air cleaning. Williamson recommends simply utilizing the reman exchange program to swap a dirty DPF for a newly cleaned one. Detroit Diesel's website reveals its DPF is constructed of a material designed to tolerate the water-based cleaning process. It also says that its reman units are covered by a one-year warranty with no limit on miles, and that the change interval for a DPF cleaned with their process has the same recommended service interval as a new one. Volvo also encourages owner-operators to exchange with a factory-reman filter. "Cleaning a DPF involves more than just using an industrial vacuum cleaner to remove soot," says Saxman. "Remanufactured filters customers receive through the Volvo exchange program have been ultrasonically inspected to detect any anomalies before undergoing our thorough cleaning process." Another reason to be aware of manufacturer recommendations: Maintaining your warranty. "If you have the unit cleaned using an unapproved method, it could alter your warranty," says Pacific Power Products Emissions Business Unit Manager Gary Parsons. In choosing a shop to do the work, says Parsons, look for a cleaning process "that is documented step by step. They should be keeping records that will verify that each step of the process was completed on each filter you send in for cleaning. There should be a check sheet." Ehlers stresses the value of a shop's experience doing the job. "International partnered with FSX to develop its cleaning process. It gives by far the most thorough cleaning, from data I've seen. The filter is baked first for 4 to 24 hours, depending on the design, to loosen the carbon. It works like a self-cleaning oven, and this turns gooey stuff that is hard to clean off into a powder. We also have the ability to flow-test the unit after cleaning to make sure it has been thoroughly restored to original condition. Ask the facility whether or not, if the unit clogs after six months, they will stand behind it." Paccar also utilizes the FSX cleaning process, says White. "We recommend the use of a machine that employs a visual cleaning process over one that uses a pulse cleaning process. Pulse cleaning assumes that all cells are plugged equally and results in inconsistent and incomplete cleaning. A DPF's outside cells tend to gather more ash buildup than the cells near the center of the filter." He adds that any shop should have testing capability as well. Without it, "it's impossible for the technician to know how clean the filter is after cleaning." FSX utilizes an airflow tester called the TrapTester7. 866.783.5137 NextTruckOnline co TruckOnline.com follow us. follow us. OCTOBER 2011 OVERDRIVE 75 DPF cleaning