Diesel Particulate Filter (Ongoing Trend?)

[ACLdestroyer]

Hey All, my 2021 2500 threw a Diesel Particulate Filter light last week (I've observed no symptoms so far.) I called the dealer today at 11am and the service advisor said she had already fielded 7 calls this morning from different customers about the same issue.

Wondering two things:

• The weather recently turned from 60 to 30 degrees here in the PNW, perhaps that's part of the trigger?
• Diesel is scarce nationwide right now, wondering if there is some effort to dilute or otherwise modify the product in order to satisfy the need or increase revenue?

Anybody had this issue recently? How did the dealer visit pan out for you?

 

[fuchsroehre]

I have a 2021 2500, too. Mine is running fine w/o a filter light. In case you have a modified calibration, I would imagine that a tune could cause issues due to excessive soot with a too rich mixture.
Also, are you up to date on your service? Like air filter replacement? I just changed mine and I was surprised how dirty it was after 17k miles.

 

[Nick]

Dilute the fuel to increase profits ? Dilute it with what ? Any shortage of fuel you can lay at the feet of the White House . Oil and fuel are a globally traded commodity the price is set in world markets dictated by supply and demand .

 

[fuchsroehre]

Here it is diluted with Soybean oil. Up to 20%. During the winter only 5% but then the gas stations add some additives (who knows what exactly) to keep it from freezing. So diluting is maybe the wrong word and I do not believe it causes any issues but Diesel is not 100% Diesel either.

 

[Darmichar]

These systems need heat to stay operational. I deal with this on a daily basis with machinery. We always get a rash of these calls when the first cold snap hits.
Do not idle the truck any more than absolutely necessary.
Keep the DEF above freezing if at all possible.
If it does freeze, thaw it before starting the truck if possible.
Once the DEF injection system faults, it's sometimes a real pain in the ass to clear it and get it working properly again.
When the truck is running, drive it like you stole it to generate the heat in the exhaust stream so it can passive regen as much as possible.

 

[Nick]

If you have to idle turn on the cruise it will kick it up to 1000 to 1100 rpms .

 

[MEGA HO]

...
Keep the DEF above freezing if at all possible.
If it does freeze, thaw it before starting the truck if possible.
...

And how would you thaw it before starting it??
There is some sort of heating system build in that would thaw it AFTER you start it. I'm speculating here but I don't think DEF is utilized until the truck is warmed up.

 

[Darmichar]

And how would you thaw it before starting it??
There is some sort of heating system build in that would thaw it AFTER you start it. I'm speculating here but I don't think DEF is utilized until the truck is warmed up.

I've heard of heat lamps or other sources of heart being used to thaw the DEF.
There may be a heater in the tank to start thawing the DEF, but I highly doubt it is generating enough heat, especially in temperatures that would freeze the DEF, to completely thaw it when the system calls for DEF injection.

Maybe it does, I'm not that familiar with Ram's DEF tanks. I'm just speaking from experiences and conversations I've had with Technicians in the field trying to troubleshoot these systems when they fault.

 

[MEGA HO]

I've heard of heat lamps or other sources of heart being used to thaw the DEF.
There may be a heater in the tank to start thawing the DEF, but I highly doubt it is generating enough heat, especially in temperatures that would freeze the DEF, to completely thaw it when the system calls for DEF injection.

Maybe it does, I'm not that familiar with Ram's DEF tanks. I'm just speaking from experiences and conversations I've had with Technicians in the field trying to troubleshoot these systems when they fault.

FWIW I'm in Alberta Canada and so my outside temperatures are generally much colder than anywhere in the lower States. It was 0*F this morning, truck started fine without any voodoo magic and I've never had any emissions issues in 3 years I owed it. Granted I don't normally use my truck in the winter time, I did use it in -20 to -30 F and never had issues with starting or otherwise.

DEF freezing point is 12 F (-11 C).

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

FWIW I'm in Alberta Canada and so my outside temperatures are generally much colder than anywhere in the lower States. It was 0*F this morning, truck started fine without any voodoo magic and I've never had any emissions issues in 3 years I owed it. Granted I don't normally use my truck in the winter time, I did use it in -20 to -30 F and never had issues with starting or otherwise.

DEF freezing point is 12 F (-11 C).

DEF heater should fully thaw the tank in about 60 mins of driving apparently but at -40 that does not happen lol

 

[Xflight29]

Move to a warmer climate.