diesel particulate filter working?

[jcurtis934]

So my mileage was decent in towing from florida to new mexico via I40 getting 10.8-11 mpg...but I realized at one point that I haven't noticed a message on the info center on my f350 about the truck doing any regeneration of the dpf since I had my recall work done 2900 miles ago. Guess I could have easily not seen one while towing as I scan the dash quickly to keep my focus on the road. Used to see a lot of these prior to the recall reflash on the computer. Got to call ford to make sure they know of this while the warrenty is intact. Are other ford owners not seeing messages for regens or am I on the leading edge of an issue? John

[JandC]

I tend not to notice them while towing. Every once and awhile the lie-o-meter will be showing that my mpg has slipped a little and I suspect then that the truck has just done a regeneration. It seems that I notice the message on my dash when not towing.

I am guessing it has nothing to do with our most recent recall/reset. When towing I am checking my mirrors more closely, my TPMS, my speed, and my gauges so I could easily miss it.

[pineranch]

It's a quick notification as it does it's thing. If you're not looking at the instruments you may miss it.
Mike

[BB_TX]

Mine seems somewhat erratic. Sometimes it does it fairly often. Other times it seems to go a long time between them. And even though I do not watch the display continuously, I do normally notice the message pop up in my peripheral vision since the message basically covers the whole display. I had the recall reflash done a couple months ago. But it was pretty much the same before that.

[jcurtis934]

Thanks for thr replies. I figured all was well given how it is running. Will get it documented with ford and ask if they did any changes to reporting structure. John

[DuneBuggyBuilder]

The 2011 and newer Fords improved their DPF cleaning process compared to the 2008-2010 initial implementation. There are two types of DPF regeneration: Aggressive and Passive.

Aggressive regeneration is when the DPF sensors indicate the filter needs cleaning and the system injects diesel fuel into the exhaust. This raises the temperature in the filter so the particulates will be burned up. In 2008-2010 they added diesel fuel through both exhaust side. The 2011 and newer engines only introduce fuel through one exhaust side. That along with an improved cleaning precess is part of why the new engines get better fuel economy than the 2008-2010. You receive a message for 5 seconds that a cleaning has begun.

Passive regeneration occurs automatically when the exhaust gas temperature is at a sufficient level (I forget the exact amount - around 600 degrees?) to burn the particulates without adding diesel fuel. Typically when towing a Montana, the exhaust gas temperature stays high enough to keep the DPF clean. There is no message this is occurring, it just does.

In 60,000 miles of which 28,000 have been towing with a 2011 and newer Fords, I rarely, if ever, see a regen message when towing. Not towing it happens regularly.

My earlier 2008 was terrible about regens. The Passive mode never seemed to work. The Active mode killed fuel economy plus it limited boost pressure while a regen was occurring (a 10 - 20 minute process). Not good for performance. I seemed to be in Active regen every time I towed the RV up a mountain grade.

[BB_TX]

It is clear when it begins, assuming you do see the message. But is there any way to know when it has ended other than watching the instantaneous mpg indicator and trying to guess it has ended?

[mlh]

The active and passive regen quit working on my truck about 6 years ago. Hasn't worked since. Ha Ha.
Lynwood