DoninMarquetteMI
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Just curious is there anything we can use to clean the DPF and the rest of fuel system. Saw an add for RISLONE for DPF, Exhaust and Emissions cleaner
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Regens at alarming rate!
- Thread starter NVYCHF
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RamCares
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Hi there,
Have you tried contacting your Ram dealer to further discuss this? They would be in the best positnio to advise you on this as we social agents are not technically trained. If you do have any further concerns, please send us a private message.
Lex
Ram Cares
jasmith348
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The dealers are lost on this issue. They say Ram can’t provide any assistance as Ram doesn’t know what the problem is. They pass the buck to @RamCares and you guys tell us to talk to them.
downsc123
Active Member
As stated right above this post, the dealers won't even look at it unless there is a CEL or message displayed - to them a regen every 150 miles is perfectly ok. Unless I pull my 5th wheel, I regen between 150 and 200 miles
Yes that’s the problem. Unless P2459 sets, there’s nothing to really indicate that the regeneration cycles are too frequent. Despite the fact that your truck shouldn’t be regenerating every 150 miles while pulling a load at highway speed continuously. In that scenario, your truck should passively regenerate back to zero and if you continue using it in that manner daily or very frequently, the only active regeneration your truck should see is the scheduled 24 hour one.
I have been told by more than one experienced Ram diesel tech that their own diagnostic procedure for P2459 is lackluster, and does not necessarily follow the proper sequence of steps, nor does it “cover all the bases”
I would be cautious about pouring anything extra into your fuel system or DEF tank. Anything that has harsh chemicals, solvents, etc may cause fuel system damage, and could also harm the sensors that monitor the emissions system.
The engineering on these systems is sound, and the engines are solid. If everything is running properly there should be no need for any sort of cleaner or treatment. You have to keep in mind that the only thing that will make soot disappear is heat. Soot is basically partially combusted engine oil and fuel. You need heat in order to burn away the excess hydrocarbons. What remains is the ash, which is basically the remnants of the engine oil additive package that is not combustible. Eventually that ash will continue to fill the DPF to the point it will no longer adequately flow exhaust through it, at which point it has to be replaced.
2/7 Gunfighter
Member
Took my truck into the dealer again today. This is the 6th time in 14 months I have had to take it into the dealer for all kinds of issues. This time my check engine light was on and they pulled two stored codes.
P203F-00 Reductant Level Too Low
P2459-00 Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Frequency
The first one seems like a non-issue. They told me that code is from my DEF getting too low. If that's correct that is ridiculous that the truck would throw a code just for that.
They said the DPF code means my truck is not doing a regen frequently enough. Which is also ridiculous b/c my truck actually regens too often in my opinion. Either way, if my DPF filter gets anywhere close to 1/2 full my truck does a regen so I don't see how that means it's not doing a regen frequently enough.
I told them I'm supposed to be towing my toy hauler this weekend and one of their diesel mechanics said that he strongly recommends that I do not tow until they can look at my truck, which won't be until next week. So I can either cancel my trip or go ahead and tow with the check engine light on. With these two codes I feel like it shouldn't be an issue at all to tow but I wanted to get some opinions from some of you on this forum who are much more knowledgeable than I am regarding diesel trucks. Do you think it's fine to go ahead and tow?
P203F-00 Reductant Level Too Low
P2459-00 Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Frequency
The first one seems like a non-issue. They told me that code is from my DEF getting too low. If that's correct that is ridiculous that the truck would throw a code just for that.
They said the DPF code means my truck is not doing a regen frequently enough. Which is also ridiculous b/c my truck actually regens too often in my opinion. Either way, if my DPF filter gets anywhere close to 1/2 full my truck does a regen so I don't see how that means it's not doing a regen frequently enough.
I told them I'm supposed to be towing my toy hauler this weekend and one of their diesel mechanics said that he strongly recommends that I do not tow until they can look at my truck, which won't be until next week. So I can either cancel my trip or go ahead and tow with the check engine light on. With these two codes I feel like it shouldn't be an issue at all to tow but I wanted to get some opinions from some of you on this forum who are much more knowledgeable than I am regarding diesel trucks. Do you think it's fine to go ahead and tow?
P2459 means that your truck is running active regeneration cycles more frequently than what it should be. Not less.
If you recently changed your engine air filter, that’s the first place to start. If you’re running a stock air intake, you need a Mopar 53034051AB or a Fleetguard AF27684 air filter in there. Any other air filter in that box is a gamble and can definitely cause more frequent regenerations. If you are running one of the above filters, then you have other issues at hand. Either on the emissions side or the engine side of the system. Either something is causing the truck to run less efficiently and send more soot or contaminants downstream to the DPF, or something with the DOC / DPF is not operating or reading correctly.
P203F means that your DEF level sensor is reading low. It could have been caused by you allowing the fluid to get too low, however it can also be caused by overfilling the DEF tank.
The DEF level sensor in the tank uses an ultrasonic sensor that sends out a kind of sonar wave. The way it and the tank are designed, when the tank is at its rated capacity, there is an air gap between the top of the tank and the top of the fluid. That air gap is critical. If you fill the tank higher than it’s rate capacity, that air gap is lost. When this happens, the sonar wave doesn’t return correctly and the level sensor can’t read the level. It sometimes defaults to a “0” reading.
You can also have this code if you’ve left the fluid too low, and the fluid has crystallized and covered the level sensor. Adding fresh fluid doesn’t always remove all of the crystals. Again, causing a false reading.
It is absolutely best practice to run the tank down to no lower than 1/4, then add 2.5 gallons of fresh fluid. That will bring you back to around 3/4 full. Just repeat this process continually and you’ll avoid a whole host of DEF related issues with this system.
If the dealer doesn’t understand P2459, you need to seek assistance from a more capable service department. That code is one of the most complex issues to try and nail down, and most of these dealerships do not have quality diesel technicians. They’ll likely start throwing parts at it, and you’ll ultimately be returning the truck for the 7th, 8th, 9th, time etc.
jasmith348
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Must be. My truck threw a CEL this morning as soon as it started an active regen. The DPF went from 1/8 to 3/8 full in about a mile (at least according to the dpf screen). Guessing is P2459 again, but will run it out to the dealer to have them confirm. This is a serious PITA @RamCares
Riddick
Well-Known Member
I think you guys are onto something with the air filter selection. I changed mine last month and went with a Wix filter and I have been monitoring my DPF gauge frequently since replacing. I also just moved from OH to VA and during the trip pulling a smaller enclosed trailer my DPF gauge never moved. Now that we are settled in I have done a few smaller trips (10-20 miles trips) and I have noticed after 2 of these my gauge starts to fill up. I plan to keep monitoring it and if I start having regens every 5-10 trips I will definitely go back to a stock filter.
I remember @Firebird posted about installing a S&B ait intake kit and how it reduced his regen frequency substantially. At first I did not believe it but after reading this thread I wonder if the additional air flow helps some how. I still don't see how as the MAF should adjust fueling based on air flow but maybe someone smarter than me has an explanation.
Additionally, I wonder if fuel quality comes into play on this? I had a small bottle of Hotshots EDT laying around and on my last tank I started using it. I doubt it will make a difference but we will see how the next fuel fill ups do.
I remember @Firebird posted about installing a S&B ait intake kit and how it reduced his regen frequency substantially. At first I did not believe it but after reading this thread I wonder if the additional air flow helps some how. I still don't see how as the MAF should adjust fueling based on air flow but maybe someone smarter than me has an explanation.
Additionally, I wonder if fuel quality comes into play on this? I had a small bottle of Hotshots EDT laying around and on my last tank I started using it. I doubt it will make a difference but we will see how the next fuel fill ups do.
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joshuaeb09
Well-Known Member
I've noticed fuel quality influences it quite a bit for shorter trips or getting stuck in traffic for my truck. Being right on the cutoff line for TXLED I can easily either get non TXLED or TXLED fuel and the difference is noticeable if I don't treat the fuel (HSS EDT is my treatment of choice currently). If I've got non TXLED fuel in the tank without any HSS EDT and I get stuck in some traffic or I have to short trip the truck - I'll see the DPF start to load up watching gauges. Steady state highway isn't an issue for either fuel, but as more and more people move here I get to run steady state on the highway less and less. I toss the perf dose of EDT in every tank of non TXLED fuel and the standard dose into TXLED fuel which has made a difference for me.
What is TXLED and what is the difference between the two types of fuel? I am unfamiliar with that.
Jay P
Member
I found this as I wondered what it was.
Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) Program
Information relating to the TxLED program, approved alternative diesel fuel formulations, producer/importer registration forms, quarterly reporting forms, alternative emission reduction plan (AERP) forms, and regulatory guidance. The TxLED Program is implemented to reduce emissions of nitrogen...
www.tceq.texas.gov
jasmith348
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This is what I just sent @RamCares :
[T]his morning, coming in to my office, about 15 miles, low speed highway and a couple of miles of stop/go traffic, the DPF gauge went from 1/8th full to a auto regen in those few miles and thats when the CEL came on. Took it to the dealer (after driving it at highway speeds to complete the regen) and they dont have a clue, but is was P2459 (regen too frequent) code again. On the interstate at 75 mph or so, the truck doesnt have an issue. Drove it for about 60 miles today around lunch and after the dealers and the DPF gauge never moved off of 0. The dealer is trying to get a Ram engineer to come look at the truck - is there anything you can do to speed that process up?
Also, on the case manager, "Charles" I think is his name. He's never called or reached out. I've tried to call him 8-10X and it goes to VM which is always full and then I get disconnected. Its pretty clear he leaves his VM full to avoid any new messages at this point. I spoke to someone at Ram yesterday on the phone and they were supposed to have a supervisor reach out to me yesterday, but never heard a thing. Not great customer service, technical service or follow up honestly. My cell is XXX-XXX-XXXX is you have someone with some answers that wants to give me a call. This is my 4th or 5th Ram/Chrysler/Dodge vehicle and really expected better.
Heck, you you guys want to email me a list for the dealer to go thru I will take it to them myself at this point.
TI think I'm on my 6th trip to the dealer now and they want the truck back next week - though I dont really know why. I get with my daily drive I will have more regens that some/most, but it auto regens now every 20 miles. That just ain't right.
My 2019 Ram regens about every 300 miles at 40% last year had the DPF replaced under warranty last week half way thru regen check engine light came on said DPF full see dealership their doing a forced regen tomorrow after the first incident I leave on DPF gauge so I know where it’s at I haven’t tried yet but I’m still plan trying Lucas oil makes a DPF cleaner !
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joshuaeb09
Well-Known Member
The quick answer is that TxLED is closer to CARB fuel requirements while any county that isn't part of the TxLED program falls back on national baseline requirements. There are also approved alternative formulations, some of which one might consider "premium" Diesel - typically anything CARB approves, TECQ will approve. Literally in the same day I've seen a spread between Diesel at 2.99/Gallon and 4.99/Gallon here in the state of Texas (Granted I hit 3 major metros that day) and this was all in close proximity to refining or major distribution hubs. The difference in pricing is driven by a few metrics - Is it non TxLED vs TxLED, The formulation being used that complies with TxLED if TxLED, and the region/market since they'll of course charge what the market will bear.
Texas is a bit like the wild west when it comes to Diesel fuel consistency if you're on the edge of TxLED requirements. Not sure how other states are specifically, but I know on a National scale it's much of the same talking to family that used to be in the fuel industry.
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Hopefully they know what they’re doing. If code P242F is set, they’re going to have to do some work up front before they try to initiate a parked regeneration, otherwise the truck will likely not complete that cycle. There’s a few things that have to be done with a scan tool when P242F is active. It’s one of the few DTC’s that will actually override the system and inhibit an active regeneration cycle from functioning.
Scroll to the in-dash DPF capacity gauge. Keep it there. Every 24 hours of operation, or if that gauge hits about 50%, you’ll see the gauge disappear and a message that says “automatic exhaust system regeneration in process” will be in its place. That indicates an active regeneration cycle is running. It’ll go back to the gauge when it’s done. If you put the truck in park, sit idle too long, or shut it off, that cycle will be stopped and will pick back up when you start to move again.