cleaning exhaust filter?

horse sense · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 09:06 AM

I just purchased an 08 250 diesel with the 6.4. It seems to be doing great. Just over 22k miles. I have an appointment with the dealer nexte week for routine service since I don't know when it was last serviced. The "cleaning exahust filter" warning came on in the dash display. I dont know if this a big deal or not. I got no books with it, but a CD in the glove box has nothing about this. Any help would be appreciated. I upgraded from a '99 7.3 with 330k miles so I have limited diesel experience.

Keith

**rdc** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 09:13 AM

This is normal. The 6.4 has a diesel particulate filter in the exhaust that
reduces particle emissions (soot). It needs to be cleaned periodically, and
the 6.4 does this by greatly elevating the exhaust gas temperature and
burning the soot out of the filter.

WVStroker · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 09:14 AM

I am new to these trucks too, but I can at least give you an idea of some stuff to research. The cleaning exhaust filter is referring to the regen. process of cleaning the DPF. This is normal and happens whenever the truck senses that the DPF is needing cleaned. The DPF (diesel particulate filter) is in your exhaust system and is there to reduce emissions (Thanks a lot EPA!!) Others will be along to give more detail, but there's you a starting point for research at least!

azkcr · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 09:18 AM

Alright, yal say it's normal (And I know all about the system and it sucks) but is it normal for
the truck to do it 60% of the time it's driving??

strivingfirst · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azkcr

Alright, yal say it's normal (And I know all about the system and it sucks) but is it normal for
the truck to do it 60% of the time it's driving??

No its not normal; however i know driving habits become a contributing factor. So if you are driving on the open roads for lets say an hour, your cleaning exhaust system light stays on for 40min? if thats the case, I would say something might be up with your DPF.

Dom

**michigan37** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 11:24 AM

I put about 1k miles a week on mine (4 - 180 mile trips and daily driving). It would regen everytime I was in the middle of one of the 180 mile trips. It would stay on for about 10-15 minutes and the boost would not get over 10psi, the power was horrible, and I could almost watch the fuel gauge drop. And all of this was considered normal. Hope this helps.

horse sense · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the replys. I wont worry too much until I can get to the dealer for the service next week.

Keith

**rdc** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azkcr

Alright, yal say it's normal (And I know all about the system and it sucks) but is it normal for
the truck to do it 60% of the time it's driving??

It's definitely not normal if YOUR truck is doing it!

(Assuming you're still driving a 6.0)

BlueF350 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 02:54 PM

In my experience, you need to DRIVE your truck when you get this message versus starting/stopping it. At some point if you don't finish the complete regen cycle the next message will be "Drive to Clean Exhaust Filter". My regens last 10-13 minutes at highway speed. Hope that this helps.