Regen

[56ram2500]

DEF will have no effect on regen, but fuel may. Bio content seems to have a different effect as the higher the bio, it burns with less BTU than straight diesel. Most times getting that information from the filling station is very difficult.

I agree getting info from station is difficult, the station I just went to claims not Bio ( not sure if true but pump does not have a Bio sticker on it) where all other place around sell B-5 and few other B-20 , will keep and eye to see how it does with the non Bio fuel and hope it helps...

 

[Units]

DEF will have no effect on regen, but fuel may. Bio content seems to have a different effect as the higher the bio, it burns with less BTU than straight diesel. Most times getting that information from the filling station is very difficult.

Right, def is def. But since I’m there and have pondered using def from the pumps, might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

[flan]

Right, def is def. But since I’m there and have pondered using def from the pumps, might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.

Nothing wrong with that. It’s usually cheaper too. I have only used the jugs, that way I know when it was packaged. Cant do that with the pumps. DEF issues have been far and few between on these rigs, at least we have that going for us...

 

[mbarber84]

I have a 22’ 2500 that started off with a regen issue. Got my first regen at 300 miles and 14 hours right after I was leaving the dealership after having some sales codes programmed. Evidently they idled the truck to keep the batteries up. The regens varied from 10-14 hours as long as I wasn’t towing. Towing they were on the 24 hour schedule. I changed fuel brand in November of last year and every regen has been at +/- 24 hours since. It takes me a month or more to get 24 hours on my truck but being retired, I can plan for the regens and get a good thorough clean out when it does.
I also feel for the folks who are having issues. It’s terrible and there’s no excuse to have that much money tied up in something that doesn’t work. What is even more frustrating is not being able to find someone who has any idea what to even look for. It’s a gut wrenching situation.

The fuel being burned through the truck undoubtedly has an effect on the regeneration. Switching where I buy my fuel had a profoundly positive impact on my regeneration frequency. I was able to contact the chain where I previously purchased fuel, as well as the chain where I buy my fuel now. The previous chain (Sheetz) confirmed that their fuel can range in biodiesel content anywhere from B5 to B20, depending on fuel price, station location, and which fuel depot the fuel comes from. They also do not use additives aside from the winter anti gel in the cold season. The station I switched to (Coen BP / Amoco) confirmed that they only sell B2 at all of their Pennsylvania locations, and will not sell higher. They also said their diesel is sold with an additive to improve the fuels cleaning and lubricating qualities ( they would not disclose the specifics). I have been hugely successful in running with the fuel from the new location and won’t be switching back. Regeneration cycles have gone from 200-500 miles to 900-1000 miles, and the past 5 regeneration cycles since switching have been all 24 hour cycles, with little to no accumulated soot ever appearing on the gauge.

 

[flan]

I was out and back through PA a couple weeks ago and hit sheetz 2x, it’s actually currently in my tank. Fuel and MTO roller dogs treated me right. Fresh ground coffee a plus too!

 

[BlueOx2500]

The fuel being burned through the truck undoubtedly has an effect on the regeneration. Switching where I buy my fuel had a profoundly positive impact on my regeneration frequency. I was able to contact the chain where I previously purchased fuel, as well as the chain where I buy my fuel now. The previous chain (Sheetz) confirmed that their fuel can range in biodiesel content anywhere from B5 to B20, depending on fuel price, station location, and which fuel depot the fuel comes from. They also do not use additives aside from the winter anti gel in the cold season. The station I switched to (Coen BP / Amoco) confirmed that they only sell B2 at all of their Pennsylvania locations, and will not sell higher. They also said their diesel is sold with an additive to improve the fuels cleaning and lubricating qualities ( they would not disclose the specifics). I have been hugely successful in running with the fuel from the new location and won’t be switching back. Regeneration cycles have gone from 200-500 miles to 900-1000 miles, and the past 5 regeneration cycles since switching have been all 24 hour cycles, with little to no accumulated soot ever appearing on the gauge.

The issue of what the fuel actually consists of is getting frustrating to say the least. And the follow-on question that you have begun to answer is: what are the ramifications? I usually use Shell where the pump says 80% biomass-baed (renewable) but I don't know what the other 20% is. And lately I have been showing upwards of 30-40% on my DPF gauge when I only have 10.5% idle time and vast majority of my driving is highway 60-70 mph to/from work and most of the 20k prior miles I hardly ever showed anything on the DPF. It's a mysterious gauge, that DPF gauge, and I just wonder how much the fuel has to do with it.

 

[OLEJOE]

The fuel being burned through the truck undoubtedly has an effect on the regeneration. Switching where I buy my fuel had a profoundly positive impact on my regeneration frequency. I was able to contact the chain where I previously purchased fuel, as well as the chain where I buy my fuel now. The previous chain (Sheetz) confirmed that their fuel can range in biodiesel content anywhere from B5 to B20, depending on fuel price, station location, and which fuel depot the fuel comes from. They also do not use additives aside from the winter anti gel in the cold season. The station I switched to (Coen BP / Amoco) confirmed that they only sell B2 at all of their Pennsylvania locations, and will not sell higher. They also said their diesel is sold with an additive to improve the fuels cleaning and lubricating qualities ( they would not disclose the specifics). I have been hugely successful in running with the fuel from the new location and won’t be switching back. Regeneration cycles have gone from 200-500 miles to 900-1000 miles, and the past 5 regeneration cycles since switching have been all 24 hour cycles, with little to no accumulated soot ever appearing on the gauge.

Mine was more in line with yours before you changed fuel brands. My drive cycle only allows me to get from 800-900 miles now with the fuel change and a slight change in my driving style. I started using the interstate when ever possible, even if it means driving a little farther. But basically Im still running the same distances with the same amount of stops. The fuel change made the biggest difference in the time between regens. I went from using Murphys/Walmart to using Exxon Synergy and that’s all I use now when running around empty. Towing it doesn’t matter what I put in it. The Exxon Synergy fuel is “supposed “ to have all of the additional additive it needs added when the fuel is blended at the refinery and not just dumped in on top of the load at the fuel rack. IDK but I know it works for my truck.

 

[mbarber84]

I was out and back through PA a couple weeks ago and hit sheetz 2x, it’s actually currently in my tank. Fuel and MTO roller dogs treated me right. Fresh ground coffee a plus too!



View attachment 69958

I see that is one of the stations that does not have the little sign on the diesel pump:
Not sure why some stations have it while others don’t. Unless that indicates some stations are using straight B2? This is why it gets frustrating because companies do not clearly mark or let the consumer know what they are buying.

 

[jebruns]

So all these posts/threads about regen's has had me watching my DPF gauge a lot more. '22 2500 with 10K miles, bought new. About 300 miles ago, I came back from towing and the gauge was at zero when I parked it. I had to do some in town driving, which I don't do much of. Gauge went up to about 45% after only 150 miles. Went into an "automatic" regen (first one I've actually witnessed) when I got out on some 75mph interstate. Completed by the time I got home, gauge back to zero.

Yesterday was the first time it had been started it in a week, and the gauge was still at zero. Had to start/stop it a few times to get the trailer hooked up. By the time I hit the road, it was showing almost 25%! That by just farting around in the driveway. It gradually came back to zero on my 50 mile tow. I don't think I have any kind of issue, just surprised how quickly the DPF gets clogged up from just doing everyday things.

I wonder if this is a byproduct of Ram having a different tune on the 19+ trucks, ala the recent EPA fines. It will be interesting to see if the pre-19's that have been flashed with the EPA "fix" will start to have these same issues.

 

[flan]

I see that is one of the stations that does not have the little sign on the diesel pump:View attachment 69970
Not sure why some stations have it while others don’t. Unless that indicates some stations are using straight B2? This is why it gets frustrating because companies do not clearly mark or let the consumer know what they are buying.

That sticker was not on the pump, it would of stuck out to me.

 

[Units]

So all these posts/threads about regen's has had me watching my DPF gauge a lot more. '22 2500 with 10K miles, bought new. About 300 miles ago, I came back from towing and the gauge was at zero when I parked it. I had to do some in town driving, which I don't do much of. Gauge went up to about 45% after only 150 miles. Went into an "automatic" regen (first one I've actually witnessed) when I got out on some 75mph interstate. Completed by the time I got home, gauge back to zero.

Yesterday was the first time it had been started it in a week, and the gauge was still at zero. Had to start/stop it a few times to get the trailer hooked up. By the time I hit the road, it was showing almost 25%! That by just farting around in the driveway. It gradually came back to zero on my 50 mile tow. I don't think I have any kind of issue, just surprised how quickly the DPF gets clogged up from just doing everyday things.

I wonder if this is a byproduct of Ram having a different tune on the 19+ trucks, ala the recent EPA fines. It will be interesting to see if the pre-19's that have been flashed with the EPA "fix" will start to have these same issues.

My experience is very similar with the exception that I DD my truck. Do some hopping around town and can watch the DPF gauge jump up pretty quickly. I don’t tow often but when I do the gauge jumps down to zero and stays there.

 

[Units]

Just to add to this thread, I have noticed that on my commute to work in the morning, my DPF gauge jumps up as soon as I jump on the interstate. On my current route to hit the interstate in the morning I drive approximately 1 mile and my truck has not really warmed up yet. So this morning I took a longer route and my truck was almost fully warmed up. When I jumped on the interstate, the gauge showed no extra soot loading. Coincidence, we shall see. I’m going to continue the longer route in the mornings and will report what happens.

 

[OLEJOE]

My experience is very similar with the exception that I DD my truck. Do some hopping around town and can watch the DPF gauge jump up pretty quickly. I don’t tow often but when I do the gauge jumps down to zero and stays there.

We had 2 really cold weeks here ( atleast for us) the first part of February. My DPF gauge got up to 25% so I decided to see how much difference the towing makes. 15 miles towing at 65 mph and it dropped back to zero. Im going to start just pulling the TT for a short trip when the gauge starts getting up. It’s a lot easier to do that than trying to run 80 mph for 60-70 miles to clean it out. Keeps me in practice backing. Only have pulled a trailer for 40 years prior to retiring.

 

[OLEJOE]

Just to add to this thread, I have noticed that on my commute to work in the morning, my DPF gauge jumps up as soon as I jump on the interstate. On my current route to hit the interstate in the morning I drive approximately 1 mile and my truck has not really warmed up yet. So this morning I took a longer route and my truck was almost fully warmed up. When I jumped on the interstate, the gauge showed no extra soot loading. Coincidence, we shall see. I’m going to continue the longer route in the mornings and will report what happens.

I’ve noticed the same phenomenon. I try to take it really easy getting to the interstate and not have to get down on it to heavy getting up to interstate speeds. I don’t use the exhaust brake either until it’s warmed up and don’t run it continuously. I do use it every time I drive it but only for a short distance before I get home. I don’t know if that helps or not but I don’t think it hurts anything.

 

[Units]

We had 2 really cold weeks here ( atleast for us) the first part of February. My DPF gauge got up to 25% so I decided to see how much difference the towing makes. 15 miles towing at 65 mph and it dropped back to zero. Im going to start just pulling the TT for a short trip when the gauge starts getting up. It’s a lot easier to do that than trying to run 80 mph for 60-70 miles to clean it out. Keeps me in practice backing. Only have pulled a trailer for 40 years prior to retiring.

After I try changing fuel stations and see if that changes anything, towing my TT is the very same thing I’m going to do as soon as I notice the frequency of regenerations get closer together.

 

[OLEJOE]

After I try changing fuel stations and see if that changes anything, towing my TT is the very same thing I’m going to do as soon as I notice the frequency of regenerations get closer together.

I couldn’t believe how fast it dropped in such a short distance. West of me, there are several pretty long hills (for La.) and I set the cruise on 65 so the egt’s would get up and get as much boost as I could without the truck downshifting. Running in 6th gear. I pulled the trailer 50 miles total so I had a little over an hour invested for some peace of mind.

 

[Pearce]

I can't say that I have a frequent regen problem. It is frequent because I am mostly in town driving. I'll research what blend of fuel the place I go has, but work pays for it at a particular station. I like free. But my question is if I want to data log what's going on what are the options? Just Banks and Edge? I've got the Torque app set up with some PID's someone made for prior year trucks that are not dialed in for current years. Allows me to watch a trend but numbers are off. Anyone know how to edit PIDs in Torque? Or just get one of the others? I'd like to track what's going on. I love my truck and have no intention of getting rid of it. But I also don't want to get a commuter just yet. (I'll end up spending money on it to, it will be a fun for me DD)

 

[Units]

I can't say that I have a frequent regen problem. It is frequent because I am mostly in town driving. I'll research what blend of fuel the place I go has, but work pays for it at a particular station. I like free. But my question is if I want to data log what's going on what are the options? Just Banks and Edge? I've got the Torque app set up with some PID's someone made for prior year trucks that are not dialed in for current years. Allows me to watch a trend but numbers are off. Anyone know how to edit PIDs in Torque? Or just get one of the others? I'd like to track what's going on. I love my truck and have no intention of getting rid of it. But I also don't want to get a commuter just yet. (I'll end up spending money on it to, it will be a fun for me DD)

My tracking is kinda rudimentary. I use my trip meter to track regens, I reset after each one. I then have SIRI leave a note on my phone with the date, mileage and hours of the regen. SIRI is great .

 

[mbarber84]

Another thing to keep in mind is evaporative cooling on the DPF due to rain.
After some more seat of the pants testing this week, I can absolutely tell you that if you’re driving through pretty decent rainfall, passive regeneration is harder to achieve. The water splashing on the DOC - DPF seems to cool it off some. I have been monitoring my truck like a hawk for months. Have noticed that I build soot more quickly / do not passively regenerate as efficiently whenever the truck is driving in heavy rain. Earlier this week we had a very severe thunderstorm with heavy continuous rain. I was driving my truck in the same duty cycles it always sees, and for the first time in 4,000 miles, I actual saw the soot gauge increase to 25% while cruising at 75mph. Fast forward two days, same drive cycle, and the truck has now passively regenerated itself back down to 0%. Since passive regeneration is much slower, and happens at lower temperatures than active regeneration, it seems that any significant external evaporative cooling on the emissions system can definitely have a negative impact on the process. I’ve had multiple discussions with @AH64ID regarding this phenomenon and he has seen similar results with his truck. He is also able to monitor more parameters with his aftermarket monitor.

 

[nyfireman22]

My '22 has 15k on it, roughly half of those miles towing our 10k lb travel trailer and a few hundred hauling a gooseneck at 15k lbs. I couldn't say when or how often it has gone into regen. It's just not something I monitor. All my fuel and DEF has come from various truck stops during our travels and my local Love's when I've needed to fuel locally. My DPF gauge has never read anything other than 0% the few times I've glanced at it, although I haven't had the recent recall done to install the missing sensor so that's likely why. I just haven't seen a need to worry about it since this truck seems to burn DEF at pretty much the same rate as my 2017 did and to be honest I'm getting tired of making trips to the dealer for these silly recalls. Now if they could come up with a actual fix for my cluster/radio preset issues I might reconsider.