Diesel Particulate Filter and Diesel Emission Fluid

[midasman]

I am shopping to upgrade my almost ten year old coach. Now that the DPF and SCR have been around for awhile, between you diesel guys, there should be a LOT of experience with these newer rigs using this technology.

I very much would like to hear your experiences, the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY, with your emission systems. Almost EVERYTHING I have heard is HERESAY. Now I'd like to hear the FACTS. Have you had any trouble? Or, have you had NO trouble?

Thank-you in advance for your insight and experiences.
Pete

[Mr_Mark1]

Caterpiller could not meet the cleaner air regulations and got out of the OTR engine business. They may have only made a few DPF units in the beginning.

I give major credit to those manufacturers and their engineers who developed systems that will take us into the 21st century.... cleaner, better mileage, etc.

I have to say too, that our 500 hp Volvo with 1,750 lb. ft. of torque is loud, especially, when the giant fan kicks in. If you are standing near the fan, it will almost pull you into the coach if you are close enough! LOL!

We once pulled into a park where the leaves had started to fall and someone left an empty black garbage bag laying on the ground. We pulled into our spot, I put it in park and the big fan kicked in. The black bag was 6 ft. away and the big fan sucked it and leaves to the radiator grill. Funny to see, then I had to clean it out. Our exterior fan grill opens with a handle and swings away for this very purpose (easy cleaning).

MM.

[midasman]

Heck! That's how you can tell IT'S ALIVE!!!

[obgraham]

Fiesta wrote:
.. Now if they would just quiet the noise in back.

Nah. That's the best part, that Caterpillar "growl"!

[Fiesta]

No problems in 9200 miles on a 2014 freightliner chassis. I like the better fuel mileage and clean emmisions. Now if they would just quiet the noise in back.

[midasman]

Thanks, guys. I'm feeling better about this all the time. I guess I've taken Tiffin's Phaeton off my shopping list and am looking at 2011-2013 Entegras with tag axles(the old Travel Supreme).

[Mr_Mark1]

Regen=Regeneration... The system goes through a regeneration cycle to burn off the particulate that builds up on the filter. This seems to happen about once every 8K-10K miles. A light will come on the dash to let you know it's happening or about to happen (two different lights).

I never noticed any difference in temps or performance during the process. It's nice to have a system that works extremely well to keep the environment clean.

MM.

[bukzin]

Guys

What is 'regen' ?

[nevadanick]

very few problems considering how many arenout there. I have had a Mercedes, Dodge, GMC and now Cummins powered MH with dpf and def except the Dodge didnt use def. i would buy again in a heartbeat if i needed or wanted diesel powered vehicle.

[Horsedoc]

Like Mark we have a 2008 Freightliner Chassis/Cummins. engine with particulate filter. No problem with it. You will see the temp rise slightly and then fall back within a minute or two. I am not sure this is the 'cleaning' process or not. One time we had an icon come on the screen showing something like a puff of smoke - that may have been the cleaning.
Sometimes we will travel quite a bit on long trips, then again (health issues) the coach may sit for a few months. I understand the DEF will get stale after it has been opened and added. I don't know about the system as to how it works, but I do move an occasional diesel truck with DEF in my P/T job. Never had any problems.

[YC_1]

2008 with dpf but no def. Just had to replace the dpf at 34K miles. About a 4K job and extended warranty did not cover. Down three days. Was not fun being towed. Coach Net covered the tow and did an amazing and professional job of helping me during the extreme stress of being along a freeway in New York.

Cummins in Albany New York are outstanding folks.

[Mr_Mark1]

Our 2008 Monaco Dynasty was the second year of the Particulate Filter system (started with 2007 chassis). No trouble in 7.5 yrs. and almost 70,000 miles of driving it. It would go through a regen about every 8K-10K.

Our 2015 has the Particulate Filter system and DEF, at 18,500 miles, no problem as of yet. I've seen one Regen at about 10K.

MM.

[obgraham]

Can't speak for the big boys, but the Sprinter based vehicles are having some adventures with the DEF/DPF systems. Computers designed by MB shut down the engine when they get a code about the DEF, often a false code. Real pain in the U-No-Wat for those involved.

That said, mine hasn't been a problem (Yet!!), but I fill the DEF after every trip, rather than waiting for the signal message.