CLEANING PARTICULATE FILTERS
We have heard from different sources that the particulate filters on the new trucks can be cleaned if they get plugged. We finally received the following letter from a dealership outlining the cleaning steps they go through to do this. It could be helpful for you to know in case you hear of this issue. It has happened and could happen at some point with the higher performance tunes in the new trucks. Although all the current products are designed to work with the particulate filter and keep it clean, just in case, you may need to know what to do if one gets plugged. We have heard of the LMM being cleaned the same way and assume the Ford would work too. This below is for the new Dodge.
“Thanks again for the good technical info on the 6.7 Cummins. As we discussed the particulate filters are very costly and availability is very limited. We have had great success in cleaning a plugged particulate filter in the following way…..
The particulate filter must be removed from the vehicle and allowed to cool down ( overnight is best but use your best judgement as to not have too much of a temperature differential when you wash it out). We place a pig mat underneath the filter so as not to wash the soot down the drain and steam clean/pressure wash the inside of the particulate filter starting from the rear (non flange side) and simply wash the filter element out making sure to pressure wash the entire exposed surface pushing water through to filtering element. Then turn the assembly over and wash from the flange side. We do not use any cleaners or solvents ONLY hot water under pressure. Solvents or cleaners may create a problem due to the extremely high temperatures during regeneration. Once you have pressure washed from both sides starting from the non flange side, blow it out with air to remove excess water and re-install. This has effectively taken filters at 100% immediately down to 30% or less and will allow the vehicle to be driven to finish the cleaning via the trucks normal regeneration cycle. While there is no technical bulletin that has directed us to do this, we have done this successfully many times. It became a necessity for us to take care of our customers in a timely fashion, as I’m sure you already know, the availability of replacement filters is very limited not to mention the cost. Hope this will help, Thanks for all your technical info. Call me if you have any further questions and I will do the same.”
Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge
