Exhaust brake service

[mountainsam]

Does anyone besides me run the exhaust brake most of the time except on the open highway when not towing? DW says the salesman said only use it in the mountains or when using tow/haul. Does it create heat or wear? My after market EB on my old 05 didn't work nearly as smoothly as the new one with the 6 speed.

[Bedlam]

We have short trip this week that may not test the EB function, but you have me curious now.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Bedlam:

the way the two exhaust brakes were explained to me at Dave Smith were the auto will hold a speed while the full WILL slow you down.

Tried both breaking in the vehicle on the way back to the midwest. Oh, so very, very nice to have!

Oh yes. Regarding the DEF, just didn't know for sure how that affected the carbon build up situation compared to the non-DEF equipped models from prior years.

But, I can always learn. :B

[Bedlam]

The Mad Norsky wrote:
Sounds like good advice, but there is a question remaining here.

Mind you, above noted advice was good for the pre-DEF equipped Ram 6.7L diesel.

Now what about our DEF equipped versions??????? Supposed to be a LOT less of the carbon build up to begin with because of DEF.

I still gotta get to that CD disk I mentioned, as well as browse my owners manual again. Maybe with luck I could spot something to help me and the OP here.

Isn't the DEF treatment post turbo? If so, the turbo is subject to the same build up if the newer engine does not run any cleaner out of the header.

I never had trouble with my VGT on the PowerStroke, but it was never a mall crawler or heavy traffic commuter where most of these issues were reported.

[Bedlam]

larry barnhart wrote:
Just wondering if anybody is having early brakes problems on any truck brand ?

I usually hear of many miles of no brake problems from rv guys that I have talked to.

chevman

Pulling a trailer with electric brakes, I did not see any appreciable brake wear due to towing. Once I started to haul around a truck camper, the brakes wore quicker due to no additional braking assistance with the additional hauled weight.

[Bedlam]

On the Ram, the exhaust brake has two modes. I use the auto mode all the time and full EB if in varying speed traffic, rolling hills or mountain passes. The difference between the two modes is that auto mode does not engage until you touch the brakes which allows you coast when you let off the throttle.

I use the tow/haul mode any time I have more than 3000 lbs of trailer or cargo (which is most of the time). This is an arbitrary weight I chose since trailers in my state under this weight do not require their own brakes.

The only exception to the above is in slick conditions where I will turn off the EB and tow/haul to allow for smoother power delivery to the wheels without any sudden or quick changes.

[wilber1]

I leave the EB on all the time but don't use TH when not towing. Nothing wrong with using TH but you will spend more time driving around in 5th when you would be in 6th without it. When I want the EB, I shift down manually. Just personal preference,

[larry_barnhart]

Just wondering if anybody is having early brakes problems on any truck brand ?

I usually hear of many miles of no brake problems from rv guys that I have talked to.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

mountainsam wrote:
Does anyone besides me run the exhaust brake most of the time except on the open highway when not towing? DW says the salesman said only use it in the mountains or when using tow/haul. Does it create heat or wear? My after market EB on my old 05 didn't work nearly as smoothly as the new one with the 6 speed.

Your salesman is an uninformed idiot!

Run the EB and TH at all times!

Turbo will like it and the exhaust brake really does not work without the TH on.

TH will keep the line pressures up in the transmission and keep the truck in the proper gear for the speed. Also your brakes will last well over 100K using EB and TH all the time.

Only positives to run both all the time!

[P_Kennedy]

So what is the downside to turning it on and leaving it on? The unit works continuously preventing sticking, the unit works all the time reducing brake wear, the unit allows the driver more control by the throttle, the operator is more aware of what is happening with his vehicle? There are thousands of posts pertaining to this on the TDR, DTR, Cummins Forums, Ram Chat. Unless it becomes extremely slippery their is no good reason not to have the unit operating and unlike a "Jake Brake" on a big truck it WON'T kill your engine stopping the wheels completely. OEM vehicle manuals are generic information does not make them 100% correct for all situations.

[ScottG]

There is less carbon/smoke out the tail pipe with a DEF system but not in the exhaust system where the DEF works. To say there is a lot less less carbon build up to begin with isn't really right. It still makes it but it's treated in the exhaust system with DEF. (DEF never goes near the engine itself).
Long story short, it is still best to follow eHoeflor's guidelines.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

eHoefler wrote:
It is recommended to use the exhaust brake anytime the engine is running. In the Ram's Cummins engine, it will send the sliding ring in the turbo from stop to stop, keeping it loose and clear of any carbon build up. I am on my 3rd 6.7 VGT turbo equipped Cummins engine. Never had an issue with carbon build up on any of them. I start it, engage the exhaust brake and the tow/haul every time, regardless of where I am going or towing. This is what was recommended to me by my certified diesel at my dealer back in 2008.

Sounds like good advice, but there is a question remaining here.

Mind you, above noted advice was good for the pre-DEF equipped Ram 6.7L diesel.

Now what about our DEF equipped versions??????? Supposed to be a LOT less of the carbon build up to begin with because of DEF.

I still gotta get to that CD disk I mentioned, as well as browse my owners manual again. Maybe with luck I could spot something to help me and the OP here.

[eHoefler]

It is recommended to use the exhaust brake anytime the engine is running. In the Ram's Cummins engine, it will send the sliding ring in the turbo from stop to stop, keeping it loose and clear of any carbon build up. I am on my 3rd 6.7 VGT turbo equipped Cummins engine. Never had an issue with carbon build up on any of them. I start it, engage the exhaust brake and the tow/haul every time, regardless of where I am going or towing. This is what was recommended to me by my certified diesel at my dealer back in 2008.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

mountainsam wrote:

mountainsam wrote:
Does anyone besides me run the exhaust brake most of the time except on the open highway when not towing?

Does it create heat or wear?

Actually the manual doesn't answer either question.

I've got the 2014 with exhaust brake also.

Does the CD disk that also comes with the manual have anything on it???

I'll have to go browse through my manual also, but surely do not recall seeing anything on it from previous reading.

[Jaxom]

I've been told to turn it on every time I start the truck. That's what I do, even when not towing or hauling anything. Except in bad driving conditions of course. The EB is a set a variable vanes that move open and closed. Since dirty exhaust and soot is going through those vanes I can see how that might cause the vanes to stick if not used all the time.

[mountainsam]

mountainsam wrote:
Does anyone besides me run the exhaust brake most of the time except on the open highway when not towing?

Does it create heat or wear?

Actually the manual doesn't answer either question.