Regens at alarming rate!

[mbarber84]

I snapped a pic of the last time this happened
View attachment 62550

I drove at highway speeds (75+) until completion - (less than 15 miles).

that was actually about two weeks ago - (Time flys)

It just happened again today - at 25% - I drove it until it completed - Less than 10 miles - engine brake on during long steep declines (mountains north of SLC)

Also, FWIW the exhaust brake has no effect on regeneration aside from initially helping to warm the engine and emissions system up when the truck is cold started in cold climates. Nor does running the exhaust brake down steep grades.

Regeneration is all about flow, heat, and time.
You need good positive pressure (flow) through the system, you need heat (which comes in the form of either high EGT’s from placing a load on the engine (passive regeneration) or by injecting diesel into the exhaust stream (active regeneration), and you need a length of time where these factors can be applied inside the DPF. Ideal regeneration is going to occur at normal highway speed, on long stretches of uniform road, with little to no variations in throttle, and ideally pulling a trailer or carrying a load in the truck.

 

[kanigie]

If you didn’t see any appreciable change after installing Fleetguard AF27684, your problem lies elsewhere. Mopar 53034051AB is identical to the fleetguard. Are you sure the Fleetguard you installed was a legitimate one, not an Amazon copy or imitation?

Almost positive box was even marked Fleetguard. Will compare with Mopar coming today.

When you are in regeneration are you traveling on the highway at 60mph or higher constantly?

Try my best, 65 mile commute, 90% highway minus lovely NJ traffic.
Past two regens have taken 150 miles, almost impossible to let them complete.

What model year truck and have you had it to the dealer after P2459?

2022, have an appointment for Mid-October, pushing to get in earlier.

 

[mbarber84]

Almost positive box was even marked Fleetguard. Will compare with Mopar coming today.

Try my best, 65 mile commute, 90% highway minus lovely NJ traffic.

Past two regens have taken 150 miles, almost impossible to let them complete.

2022, have an appointment for Mid-October, pushing to get in earlier.

Almost positive box was even marked Fleetguard. Will compare with Mopar coming today.

Try my best, 65 mile commute, 90% highway minus lovely NJ traffic.

Past two regens have taken 150 miles, almost impossible to let them complete.

2022, have an appointment for Mid-October, pushing to get in earlier.

150 miles for a regeneration cycle to complete is a long time.

Are these the normal regeneration cycles, or are you getting the “continue driving” message?

 

[kanigie]

150 miles for a regeneration cycle to complete is a long time.

Are these the normal regeneration cycles, or are you getting the “continue driving” message?

Normal regens, only visible from DPF monitor screen. First 2 regens when I took ownership a couple weeks back were 1000+ miles apart and those were the continue driving type. But, I was not watch the DPF screen then like I am now.

 

[mbarber84]

Normal regens, only visible from DPF monitor screen. First 2 regens when I took ownership a couple weeks back were 1000+ miles apart and those were the continue driving type. But, I was not watch the DPF screen then like I am now.

If you got the “continue driving” messages immediately after taking ownership I would have the dealer get involved and have the system checked. That is not normal, and is indicative of either improper operation by the previous owner or a malfunction in the system. I can’t remember if you said the truck was new or used. I apologize

 

[kanigie]

Pre-owned, came off the line

If you got the “continue driving” messages immediately after taking ownership I would have the dealer get involved and have the system checked. That is not normal, and is indicative of either improper operation by the previous owner or a malfunction in the system. I can’t remember if you said the truck was new or used. I apologize

Used, built June 2022. Purchased 3 weeks ago with 13,400 miles, 649 idle and 1389 driving hours. idle hours seem really high, no?

 

[ShowKiller1]

Driving around town today with the cruise set at 65 and the check engine light comes on, the truck was running fine. Just got it home and checked the codes with AlfaOBD. Throwing P203F and P2459. Cleared the codes and let it idle for a bit. They did not return. Truck details below:

2022 2500 Lonestar
5912 miles
7/8 tank of DEF
3/4 tank of fuel on a 50 gallon tank
Still on the original factory installed air filter.

If it pops up again i will take it in. They need to do the Y43 recall anyways and my newly replaced radio has started acting up again.

Mine threw the codes and the CEL again yesterday. Only 6200 miles with factory air and fuel filters.

 

[kanigie]

If you got the “continue driving” messages immediately after taking ownership I would have the dealer get involved and have the system checked. That is not normal, and is indicative of either improper operation by the previous owner or a malfunction in the system. I can’t remember if you said the truck was new or used. I apologize

What is the difference between the 2 messages? One the 24 hour interval the other DPF 50% full ?

 

[Riddick]

Pre-owned, came off the line

Used, built June 2022. Purchased 3 weeks ago with 13,400 miles, 649 idle and 1389 driving hours. idle hours seem really high, no?

The previous owner did not do you any favors, those are extremely high hours for the amount of miles.

For comparison, my 22 has 14305 miles with 39 idle hours and 289 drive hours. Your truck has been idled excessively and driven at very low speeds. I can almost guarantee the issues you are having are related to how your truck was previously used.

13,400 miles / 1389 drive hours = Average speed of 9.6 MPH..... this is over the life of the truck. Not good

 

[mbarber84]

What is the difference between the 2 messages? One the 24 hour interval the other DPF 50% full ?

No very different.

The normal message: “automatic exhaust system regeneration in progress” is only visible if you scroll to the EVIC DPF gauge. It’ll be there in place of the gauge anytime an active regeneration starts and is running. The message disappears when the cycle completes and the gauge should return. The gauge should be at 0% when it completes successfully.

“Automatic exhaust system regeneration in progress continue driving” is different. It is a pop-up style message that will appear on screen no matter what screen you’re currently viewing. When it “pops up” it’s also accompanied by an audible “ding”. When this message appears, it is a good indicator that the normal regeneration cycles have been consistently unable to finish and the system is identifying that it needs to run a regeneration. Either a malfunction is keeping the system from completing the cycle, or the operator has repeatedly interrupted the process mid-cycle.
In either case, when that message pops up it is absolutely best to continue driving and allow it to finish. This is especially true for trucks that see light load operation and driving cycles with varying speeds. When that message pops up, it means the current parameters within the engine and the emissions system are ideal for a regeneration to run and be effective. It’s important to capitalize on that opportunity

 

[OLEJOE]

Pre-owned, came off the line

Used, built June 2022. Purchased 3 weeks ago with 13,400 miles, 649 idle and 1389 driving hours. idle hours seem really high, no?

If you divide mileage by hours your truck has only averaged 6.5 mph. That is no bueno for a diesel with the emissions system we have.

 

[mbarber84]

Pre-owned, came off the line

Used, built June 2022. Purchased 3 weeks ago with 13,400 miles, 649 idle and 1389 driving hours. idle hours seem really high, no?

2,038 total hours with 649 idle means it’s seen 32% idle time. That’s a relatively high amount of idle hours. I’ve seen worse, but it could be better. Cummins Inc considers idle hours to be excessive anytime the idle hours exceed 16% of the total hours.

Idle time can create face-plugging of the DOC and DPF inlets which reduces flow through the system and makes regenerating more difficult. Also leads to faster plugging and building of pressure in the system, which can make cycles run longer and happen more frequently. The problem is compounded if the truck is already not properly maintained or has other issues which are contaminating the downstream exhaust.

 

[kanigie]

The previous owner did not do you any favors, those are extremely high hours for the amount of miles.

For comparison, my 22 has 14305 miles with 39 idle hours and 289 drive hours. Your truck has been idled excessively and driven at very low speeds. I can almost guarantee the issues you are having are related to how your truck was previously used.

13,400 miles / 1389 drive hours = Average speed of 9.6 MPH..... this is over the life of the truck. Not good

Yes, realizing this now. Truck was showing 3MPG on the fuel efficiency screen. Did have aftermarket air bags installed so assumed it was towing heavy. Obviously though it idled more than anything.

 

[mbarber84]

Yes, realizing this now. Truck was showing 3MPG on the fuel efficiency screen. Did have aftermarket air bags installed so assumed it was towing heavy. Obviously thought it idled more than anything.

What configuration is the truck ?
Sounds like it might have been a former service truck of some type that spent much of its time going from site to site and idled a lot when there.

 

[kanigie]

What configuration is the truck ?
Sounds like it might have been a former service truck of some type that spent much of its time going from site to site and idled a lot when there.

Probably right, it was registered commercially. Crew cab short bed, Bighorn with limited options.

 

[HighlandRidge]

"The RAM dealer lied directly to my face - tried to sell me $400 worth of air + fuel filters I do NOT need. "
I get you are angry about your truck not working correctly. I would be also. As mbarber84 stated, the dealer was just going through a process of elimination which includes the air filter. I agree the fuel filters are irrelevant as far as your DPF code. Just saying if the dealer did not know you changed the fuel filters, then they would have thought they were due and may not have been trying to sell you stuff you did not need.

There is a gauge on the dash which tracks the fuel filters - it currently reads 68% life left.

The RAM service technicians are well aware of this feature and they acknowledged that fact - their position was since they didn't change the fuel filters - I need to pay them $400 to continue..,

They refused to tell me what the check engine light code was.

The local auto parts store provided a receipt indicating the Diesel Particulate filter is faulty. To continue bashing the fuel filters and NOT acknowledge the faulty DPF is quite strange.

 

[PRS]

There is a gauge on the dash which tracks the fuel filters - it currently reads 68% life left.

The RAM service technicians are well aware of this feature and they acknowledged that fact - their position was since they didn't change the fuel filters - I need to pay them $400 to continue..,

They refused to tell me what the check engine light code was.

The local auto parts store provided a receipt indicating the Diesel Particulate filter is faulty. To continue bashing the fuel filters and NOT acknowledge the faulty DPF is quite strange.

The DTC P2459 indicates the DPF Regeneration happens too often. It does not necessarily indicate the DPF is faulty.

 

[Riddick]

There is a gauge on the dash which tracks the fuel filters - it currently reads 68% life left.

The RAM service technicians are well aware of this feature and they acknowledged that fact - their position was since they didn't change the fuel filters - I need to pay them $400 to continue..,

They refused to tell me what the check engine light code was.

The local auto parts store provided a receipt indicating the Diesel Particulate filter is faulty. To continue bashing the fuel filters and NOT acknowledge the faulty DPF is quite strange.

I believe you are not fully understanding what P2459 means. This is simply alerting you that your truck is performing more regens than it should be, does not mean your DPF is faulty. The issue is your DPF is loading up faster than it should causing excessive regens, the question is what's causing it to load up so fast.? The first area to start would be the air filter which they did. There are several members on here who have experienced this issue and it was attributed to the wrong air filter. It was mentioned above its not always the air filter but this is a great place to start.

Even though your fuel filter gauge is showing 68% life left they have no idea on what fuel filters are installed or if they were changed at all. For this code there is no smoking gun on what the root cause is so they have to eliminate all of the small things. I agree with their recommendation of doing the fuel filters second, have to rule out general maintenance items prior to tearing the truck apart. Our trucks are extremely sensitive to air and fuel, plain and simple. I would check for boost leaks if the general maintenance items did not fix the issue, any vacuum leak can cause excessive fueling. For the person with the high idle and drive hours his DPF indeed might be cooked but for low mileage trucks its usually not the DPF.

 

[HighlandRidge]

I believe you are not fully understanding what P2459 means. This is simply alerting you that your truck is performing more regens than it should be, does not mean your DPF is faulty. The issue is your DPF is loading up faster than it should causing excessive regens, the question is what's causing it to load up so fast.? The first area to start would be the air filter which they did. There are several members on here who have experienced this issue and it was attributed to the wrong air filter. It was mentioned above its not always the air filter but this is a great place to start.

Even though your fuel filter gauge is showing 68% life left they have no idea on what fuel filters are installed or if they were changed at all. For this code there is no smoking gun on what the root cause is so they have to eliminate all of the small things. I agree with their recommendation of doing the fuel filters second, have to rule out general maintenance items prior to tearing the truck apart. Our trucks are extremely sensitive to air and fuel, plain and simple. I would check for boost leaks if the general maintenance items did not fix the issue, any vacuum leak can cause excessive fueling. For the person with the high idle and drive hours his DPF indeed might be cooked but for low mileage trucks its usually not the DPF.

I personally changed the fuel filters - It's NOT rocket science and to charge $400 is absurd. I'm not a mechanic, never did it before and it only took me about 90 minutes after watching a single you tube video - No leaks / no problems 6,000 miles later. I'm sure a "mechanic" could complete the task in about 20 minutes.

The fact the RAM service representative refused to tell me what the error code was without paying them $400 is extremely suspect - certainly does NOT instill confidence. I'll find another service tech who's got a shred of integrity.

 

[HighlandRidge]

The DTC P2459 indicates the DPF Regeneration happens too often. It does not necessarily indicate the DPF is faulty.

Most likely solution:

"Replace Diesel Particulate Filter..,"