It would be interesting to hear from Dodge & Ford owners how frequent regens are. In the meantime there is a company in my area that can clean them apparently. They also sell replacement ones that can be cleaned easily.
http://reflowsolutions.com/Same one is also available at
http://www.bcdiesel.ca/en/dpf-service-kitsThey run about $1500 Can or $1200 US. A lot cheaper than $5000 and cleanable. Once you've purchased the unit from Canada, it looks like CDS is their authorized US agent to clean them
http://cleandieselspecialists.com/Ed it may be worth phoning these guys and talking to them. They can probably confirm a lot of your info.
Here is what they say on their website:
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) Service Kit gives Light Duty Diesel owners the option to clean their DPF instead of replacing it with a pricey OEM dealer unit. Most light duty Diesel Particulate Filters are not designed to be serviced like the more common heavy-duty diesel industry cartridge style DPFs. With the sealed light duty DPFs once the problematic onboard self-cleaning system (regen) is unable to thoroughly self-clean a clogged filter it quickly becomes the primary source of poor fuel economy, costly breakdowns and diesel engine failure.
Re-Flow Solutions unique flanged DPF design offers a long-term solution to reoccurring regeneration and problematic plugged DPFs. Installing serviceable DPF will allow easy removal of the DPF's core which can then be cleaned and serviced. Using Re-flow's latest industry cleaning technologies and equipment we are able to restore a DPF to like new condition potentially saving the consumer thousands of dollars in factory replacement costs, repairs and downtime. Read More about DPF Cleaning at www.ReFlowSolutions.com
Diesel engines left to idle for long periods of time or driven for only short distances will quickly plug a Diesel Particulate Filter. Poor maintenance, bad fuel, oil or coolant in the exhaust are also common causes of increasing regeneration cycles and clogged DPF’s.
Due to the high cost of the precious metals required to manufacture Diesel Particulate Filters a non-serviceable plugged DPF becomes high value scrap metal and the reason a factory replacement costs on averages $2000-$5000. Don’t scrap your precious metals... clean them with Re-Flow Solutions!
Initial Purchase is Half The Cost of Factory Replacements
Improved Reliability & Fuel Economy
Reduced Regeneration Cycles
Environmentally Friendly Waste Disposal
Wide Steal Flange Design
Easy Bolt-in Installation, No Fabrication Required
Utilizes Factory Sensor Locations
Manufactured Parts Stay on Vehicle
DPF Can Now Be Serviced For Life of The Vehicle
