Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85429
severe service There's much more to DPF cleaning than a thorough vacuuming of ash because carbon deposits often harden on the ceramic surface (left). Make sure the process you use guarantees complete removal of both ash and adhered deposits. Before and after the DPF High-soot on/off-road applications can compound diesel particulate filter cleaning issues. Know when and where to clean to avoid problems. BY JOHN BAXTER AND TOM JACKSON I f you've bought a new truck since 2007, you face a new maintenance interval: servic- ing the diesel particulate filter. Cleaning the filter element removes accumulated engine oil ash, par- ticularly for heavy-to-severe-duty trucks in high-idle on/off-road applications. While ash in the DPF typically remains loose, a small amount of carbon may adhere tightly to the DPF's ceramic walls, forming gooey or even hard depos- its, especially if the engine is not operating properly. Inadequate cleaning can com- promise the filter's life and war- ranty, while thorough cleaning may result in better fuel economy and more miles. But knowing when to clean alone is not enough. Know the cleaning procedure, the ven- dors you're using and details for an effective plan. 40 OVERDRIVE APRIL 2012 WHEN TO CLEAN Ash doesn't burn, so it has to be mechanically cleaned out of the DPF when it impedes exhaust flow, indicated by a backpressure light on the dash. Most experts, however, believe you shouldn't wait for a warning light. First determine the duty cycle, recommends Bob Giguere, product support manager at Inland Power Group of the WheelTime truck ser- vice network. "Under ideal condi- tions, in over-the-road service you can go 300,000 miles, but with a lot of idling, or local service, you'll see shorter intervals," he says. He rec- ommends following manufacturers' recommended intervals for DPFs operated under favorable condi- tions. What's favorable? Amount of oil consumed and engine hours are both primary factors, says Giguere. A major reason for clogging is ash from burned oil, and idling engines use more oil because the piston rings work less effectively. Idling also means poor combustion of fuel and more soot, potentially fouling the DPF. On/off-road and heavy haul oper- ators should realize their operations put the engine in high load condi- tions more often than engines that power highway vehicles. Any con- dition that helps maintain proper airflow into the engine or opti- mizes the injection system will help extend mileage and hours between cleanings by minimizing soot in the exhaust. Pay attention to these maintenance items to help optimize DPF cleaning intervals: - heads.