Senix I have seen you respond to another post about 6.4 tail pipes should be clean to grayish I have a 2008 6.4 owned about a month and my pipes are sooty not major build up like my dads 6.0 but just a little concerned. Should I be? Truck runs great no cel. Donot see any smoke when pulling.

 

The pipes should be clean, no black or hardly gray actually more of a beige. If you are showing anything other , then you have an issue. I had a Cracked DPF, did not smoke, it was under warranty and replaced. I did not have any CELs either, but the Ford dealership found the crack and did the right thing. This was just 3 months ago and I have a Job 1 08.
Do a little search as Steve has posted pics of his pipes and is a classic example of how they "are suppose to look."

 

I've read lots of threads of people asking the same thing. They invariably end up going to the dealer and having them check it out. Some have their DPF replaced, only to find that the pipes start turning black again.

I don't think a bit of soot on the inside of the pipes is a symptom of a problem with the system. Obviously if you're seeing black smoke or having other concerns it should get looked at, but I wouldn't worry much about this.

 

I will post a pic from 48K miles that I had taken on mine. With a truck just purchased it can be harder to say you have a problem vs one that you have owned for several thousands miles and then something changes.

Sooty pipes could be the cause of a few different issues. I tend to think in this case I would just clean them and monitor and see if there is a trend.

If you notice wetness/white or black smoke then I would certainly react a little quicker.

 

Finally found the post I was looking for. Read below:

 

Something else I just though of as well. Keep track of your regens if you can. While this has no real bearing on this per Ford it can be an indicator of things going south.

So if your pipes are a little blackish but regens are 300 miles apart then I would say all is ok. (as an example)

 

I have to be honest I have never seen a regent never seen it on the message screen have driven about 1200 miles in a month I know it has latest sw

 

Ford has a 6.4 DFP manual regen video that among other things clearly states that if there is soot in the tailpipe the DPF is cracked and should be replaced. That video also shows holding a clean paper towel over the tailpipes while someone revs the engine and if the paper towel has soot spots it's considered a problem.

 

Any idea how to reference this video, or possibly find out if a copy exists outside of Ford (doubt it )? I have had sooty pipes, had the DPF replaced at 15,000 after several heated arguments with dealer service manager. They said it was cracked.

After the replacement it still has sooty pipes, and when accelerating, especially at night when someone is behind you with lights on, when you look in side mirror you definitely see the soot and smoke pouring out, although during the day it is not that noticeable.

I would love to be able to reference this video, and I think it would go a long way in helping others here with this problem that has plagued so many of us.

 

Here is an article with pic from the DTS website.
DTS Articles - Diesel Particulate Filters

 

Sennix, I thought about you last week and went out and took a picture of my tail pipe without any mud or snow on it. I was gonna post it for you but it's on my home computer and I'm on the road. When I get home I'll put it on here. just tired of seeing that mud and snow packed pipe, LOL.

 

I will take another for you ok? I am actully off of I95 myself. Point south KOA, headed to see the last shuttle launch and then off to disneyworld.

Today my regens were 150-180 miles apart towing my 5er.

Well, here is another pic at 52K. I think this one is just as dirty though..

 

There's one of those things I'm going to regret putting off, and now won't ever get a chance to see.don't forget the video camera.

You going to stay at the disney campground? Really nice place but like all things Disney, they're proud of it and price it accordingly.

Mine never saw more than 130 miles between, unloaded, and went way down from ther when towing hard. Thank god all that crap is over. Sounds better too.

 

We are actually staying in Mims. Close to the space center. At the KOA and then driving into Orlando from there.

For us I think it will be better as kids are 14, 15, 16.

 

I work at a dealership, we have been unindated with 6.4 issues. Im big on lookin for similaritys, what I have noticed are they for the most part are clean, no soot. Ones that did were in the middle of a issue begining, two i remember the most was a fuel pressure issue. ( both had h.p. pump issues) HOWEVER one had a problem with the exhaust componit called the "filter assembly" or the OCC part #9C3Z-5H221-A ($1754.05 BEFORE TAX) AND THAT WAS DEALER COST. as our field enginer says if there is ANY SMOKE from the tail pipe it is bad. Now I know you said you dont have any smoke, but you need to be sure. Cause many of what i see are maint deprived and they are still clean. What I am saying is get to the dealer and let them look for any codes. Also preferably look for a shop that does alot of truck work... I will add that most of what I have to do to these trucks is NOT CHEAP! one last thing, I am not sure but i thought you had bought this truck used, many shops dont know or disregaurd the fact if there was a major problem like a blown egr cooler or any other liquid that had gone thru the exhaust at one time MANDATES that the cat and the filter BOTH be replaced to a rather substantial cost, but they operate out of ignorance rather than from knowing. Good luck
P.S. the cat 9C3Z-5H267-A (cost $1293.85) always be aware with your 6.4