Exhaust ftlter problem or not ??

chili · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:34 AM

I havve an 08 all the latest updates .I have not had the exhaust cleaner come on for 1,400 miles it has allways come on sooner maybe 5 to 700 miles. my tail pipe is clean .I am sure the fuel is not getting better.so just wondering if I have a problem ? called ford garage thay say thay don't know thay haven"t sold that many .

Maxium4x4 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:44 AM

If the tail pipe is clean and from the techs posts I have read, fuel trim effects regens. Are you pulling a load quite often?

chili · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:58 AM

haven't been pulling lately but I do pull 5th wheel 14k and mileage hasen,t been to bad averaging about 14 15 mpg

Maxium4x4 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:14 AM

Since you are new, Welcome to FTE Chili

I am sure the guys will stop by and tell you what they experience with regens. Seems to me, though I still have the 6.0L, your truck is performing as expected when the fuel system works as it should. From the 6.4 trucks I have driven, you barely noticed the regen at all, only a light on the dash and grey in the exhaust pipe.

ruschejj · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:34 AM

Folks in your situation have black, soot coated tips on the exhaust pipes. Unfortunately, you don't fit. We have 2 clubs here, those that regen in 100-200 (or less if towing) miles and have squeeky clean pipes and those that regen 700 or more miles apart, having the sooty pipes.

You should be in the 700 mile club but the clean pipes present an unusual situation.

Do you tow often? Does the truck get driven every day? ANY other driveability concerns? Weak power/stuttering/white/grey smoke/poor mileage? Ever had any seemingly unrelated issues?

You know anybody with an OBD II scan tool? Some of us watch the exhaust gas temps, fuel injector pressures to get a feel for how the motor is running.

ruschejj · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:37 AM

BTW, nobody gets 14-15 MPG towing with the 6.4. Are you using the "lie-o-meter"

What truck do you have? F350? 3.73 rear end? 4x4? Auto or manual transmission? Year model?

richfaa · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 11:35 AM

If you have the latest updates the cleaning exahust filter msg will only come on for a few seconds. You are just not seeing it when it does. Mine does the same but I can tell when regen is taking place because I monitor the EGT and can see the increased temps for the term of the regen.

Maxium4x4 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 01:06 PM

That would explain why you did not think it was in regen, did the light stay on until finished with the original flash?

chili · #9 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 04:59 PM

OK first of all I didn.t mean15 mpg towing . towing its 9 to 10. and after the last flash when it went into regen. on display it said cleaning exhaust filter through the whole process. & I could tell when it was on .

washley1 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 09:48 AM

I have a similar problem. My 08 350 has been running the regen about every 50 miles. I put most of my miles on towing the 5th wheel at about 15K, but the regen is kicking in regardless of towing status. Pipes are clean. Locar dealer checked it out, says nothing is wrong, advised to add cetane booster. Too soon to tell if that is working. When regen light comes on it is on for several minutes. Should I take it to another dealer? My local guys probably don't have much experience with the 6.4.

senix · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:06 AM

regens are a hard animal to pin down. Fuel quality I think has as much to do with it as how your driving conditions are.

So if I think I understand you, even empty you are regening every 50 miles? Try switching to a different fuel station and adding the cetane booster and see if that helps.

Do you do alot of extending idling? That will make more soot as well.

washley1 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:35 AM

Yes, even empty. I have been getting my fuel at MOSTLY the same place when I am in town. Best price around! It is a Sunoco station, so I usually would not question the source of fuel, but I guess any station can have bad stuff. Not really much idling, just when hooking up the 5er, or for a couple of minutes to keep the AC running for my passengers. Just put my first dose of cetane booster yesterday, so I'll see how this tank does, and if no change, I'll try another station. Thanks!

richfaa · #13 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:53 AM

Most of the miles on this truck are towing a 14K 5th wheel at 62/65 MPH. With the latest update just last month we now see regens every 500 miles or so. Prior to that it was every 200 miles or so. We just did a 1100 mile trip to our winter home in Florida and we saw two regens'. The truck runs great, the tail pipes are clean( grey). They always have been. Normally we only see the msg for a very short time..before we saw it the entire time of the regen.

washley1 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 01:58 PM

What updates are you referring to? Is this something my dealer's mechanics should have been able to do? Where can I find out more about them?

senix · #15 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 02:01 PM

these updates are to the PCM. (power control module). Every so often Ford may come out with an update just like you computer at home.