What do you do when your exhaust filter is full?
None of the other dealers said that, they always just said it was the DEF system. Haven’t had any issues on the CEL since. So if you’re experiencing CEL, filter regeneration problems, drive at a maximum of 15 mph problems, it could be your catalytic converter.
This filter traps and burns off the soot that is produced during the diesel combustion process. If the soot in the DPF accumulates too much, then this message will be displayed telling you that you need to take action. Normally the system will burn off this soot while driving.
Your 6.7L Cummins engine has a sophisticated emission system (so does Ford ands GM diesels). This includer a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that is mounted towards the rear of the exhaust system. This filter traps and burns off the soot that is produced during the diesel combustion process.
The vehicle operator has to drive the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) for at least 20 minutes to clean the DPF. This will continue to be displayed until an adequate drive cycle is completed. This message is NORMAL.
Drive to Clean Exhaust System or Drive to Clean Exhaust Filter is a message that will pop up on your dashboard, informing you that your DPF is blocked up and requires cleaning, as soon as possible.
Here is the specific fine from the EPA if you are caught with DPF delete: Violators are subject to civil penalties up to $45,268 per non-compliant vehicle or engine, $4,527 per tampering event or sale of the defeat device, and $45,268 per day for reporting and recordkeeping violations.
The DPF requires periodic soot removal cycles, termed “regeneration” or “regen” for short. These regens burn the accumulated soot out of the DPF at extremely high temperatures. While the filter burns off soot at speed, soot will accumulate during idling or slow traffic.
Initiate the manual regeneration by pressing and holding the DPF Regen Force switch a minimum of 6 seconds. This switch location varies by model (see left). – Once the manual regeneration is initiated, the engine speed will increase, and turbocharger noise will increase.
Can you ignore the DPF light and carry on driving? Technically yes, but we would not recommend it. If you ignore the DPF light and continue driving, the build-up of soot will soon reach a point whereby your car has to enter ‘limp-home’ mode in order to prevent any damage to the engine.
This can take up to 30 minutes. If you keep idling your vehicle or start and stop often while this warning message is on, and your vehicle can’t clean the exhaust filter, your malfunction indicator lamp will light up and you’ll see an ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message.
On-road usage is mandatory; a vehicle caught on the road without a filter will get the driver fined heavily. However, off-road and track performance (racing) is allowed without a DPF.
Exhaust filter is filling up and requires it to go through a regenerate process to clean the filter. We recommend at lease a 25 minutes drive at speed of 50+ mph to clean the filter. If not possible, then a forced regenerate service is required.
