Black Soot - How Much is Normal?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
If the DPF is cracked it will have an effect on the pressure sensors. There are safety's in place to protect the engine which is the big problem with trying to remove the DPF entirely. If the pressure sensors send false signals to the ECM it will eventually have ill effects on some other part of the truck.
I guess my thought is that its not working as intended so I want it fixed. In my personal situation I had a DPF replaced when the truck was just a few months old. I had clean pipes for a while but now they are black again. No way did I luck in to 2 separate DPF's that were both defective. So there is something else causing these DPF's to crack and THAT is what I want the dealer to find. Im in no mood to get a new DPF every 6k miles or feel like I should just learn to live with black pipes. I could care less about black pipes, Im not a neat freak and I am not allergic to soot. But the black pipes are an indicator of something not working properly and I learned a long time ago that broken parts tend to get worse, not better.
I guess my thought is that its not working as intended so I want it fixed. In my personal situation I had a DPF replaced when the truck was just a few months old. I had clean pipes for a while but now they are black again. No way did I luck in to 2 separate DPF's that were both defective. So there is something else causing these DPF's to crack and THAT is what I want the dealer to find. Im in no mood to get a new DPF every 6k miles or feel like I should just learn to live with black pipes. I could care less about black pipes, Im not a neat freak and I am not allergic to soot. But the black pipes are an indicator of something not working properly and I learned a long time ago that broken parts tend to get worse, not better.
Lead Foot User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
^^^^ I fully agree. If you are one of the guys that has made the decision to leave that hunk of crap on then they should at least be able to make it work right. Maybe if enough DPF's get replaced on trucks without tuners, Ford will realize that the guys with the tuners and DPF deletes are actually saving them money, haha. But that being said if Ford insists that you have a DPF on your truck then let them have the headache of trying to make it work properly. It is a serious inconvenience on our end though because the dealer needs to keep the truck each time and not many of us can live without our trucks for very long. Luckily I made sure that my dealer would provide a loaner truck if mine ever had to go in for service but I know lots of guys that aren't as fortunate.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Has NOTHING to do with Ford!!!
Has EVERYTHING to do with the government! Not sure what the Canadian government has to say about it, but our tree-hugging EPA forced this down our throats!
Lead Foot User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Sorry but if it has nothing to do with Ford then why is there a sticker on the DPF from FORD that states they will void the warranty if it's removed?? If Ford realizes that it's the fault of the tree huggers then why would they care if we removed it after we bought the truck, it's not like they would get in trouble if someone ever failed an emissions test?? I never said that the DPF was Fords choice but I clearly stated that they insist we keep it on the truck and unless I'm missing something there is no denying that. I'm just saying that it might be the fault of the tree huggers but Ford is definately making it hard on all of us that remove it and they are using it as an excuse to void warranty on lots of issues, most not even related to the DPF removal. SO (sorry for rambling) if Ford wants to make it difficult on us then we can return the favor and make them fix it when it leaks or cracks. Just my 2 cents.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 4
From: waynesville, mo.
This is not a popular reply, but look at your manual and any related information. It says "reduces soot" not stops it. Now, that being said, an excessive amount of soot buildup isn't normal. If the pipes are stained black, its probably normal. If it goes past staining, and you have a visual buildup of fluffy material, its got a problem.
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Crazy001,
A cracked DPF will not throw a trouble code i.e. check eng. The dealer has equipment to test the DPF. You and I paid a h......ll of a lot of hard earned money for that piece of s..... DPF. The damn thing better work as designed!!!!! If the exhaust tip is black with soot chances are it's not working. If you're in a state that requires emission testing a black exhaust tip might cause your truck to fail inspection.
A cracked DPF will not throw a trouble code i.e. check eng. The dealer has equipment to test the DPF. You and I paid a h......ll of a lot of hard earned money for that piece of s..... DPF. The damn thing better work as designed!!!!! If the exhaust tip is black with soot chances are it's not working. If you're in a state that requires emission testing a black exhaust tip might cause your truck to fail inspection.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
There are many posts on DPF's, with a lot of technical info. I would try searching for them if you want to get into the details.
The DPF is a ceramic wall flow filter. It traps soot down to a micron level that is not detectable with human eyesight. So, it "reduces" but does not eliminate soot. If you see black soot on your exhaust tip, it has cracked.
Removing the DPF voids the warranty for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the emissions certification of the vehicle.
The DPF can crack and not throw a code, because the back pressure drop can be off set by partial clogging of the rest of the filter. There is lot more to this than you might think, the DPF is part of a very complex emissions control system....and again I would urge you to search for details if you are really into it.
And-Just to make myself even more popular-I like the fact that my truck doesn't chuck out clouds of black soot when I give it throttle. I like clean air--sorry!
The DPF is a ceramic wall flow filter. It traps soot down to a micron level that is not detectable with human eyesight. So, it "reduces" but does not eliminate soot. If you see black soot on your exhaust tip, it has cracked.
Removing the DPF voids the warranty for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the emissions certification of the vehicle.
The DPF can crack and not throw a code, because the back pressure drop can be off set by partial clogging of the rest of the filter. There is lot more to this than you might think, the DPF is part of a very complex emissions control system....and again I would urge you to search for details if you are really into it.
And-Just to make myself even more popular-I like the fact that my truck doesn't chuck out clouds of black soot when I give it throttle. I like clean air--sorry!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Brandon, what would the effect be if you were to remove the DPF without reprogramming the PCM for this? I believe that Bad Things would happen as the PCM would not know what to do with the confusing data it would receive from the sensors.
If you do reprogram the PCM, wouldn't it stand to reason that it would affect your warranty? I mean, if you change the tune how can Ford have any responsibility for what happens after that?
Also, as stated above, it does affect the emissions certification. If Ford were to make a policy of "looking the other way" when it came to these things, it could pave the way to a lawsuit or other regulations against them for "condoning" people disabling their emissions systems.
If you do reprogram the PCM, wouldn't it stand to reason that it would affect your warranty? I mean, if you change the tune how can Ford have any responsibility for what happens after that?
Also, as stated above, it does affect the emissions certification. If Ford were to make a policy of "looking the other way" when it came to these things, it could pave the way to a lawsuit or other regulations against them for "condoning" people disabling their emissions systems.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Foot User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Crazy you basically made my point for me. I never once claimed that you could remove the DPF without having any issues, all I said was Ford has a lot to do with that DPF staying on the truck. And if they make it stay on the truck then guys should get it fixed and have it working right, that was the only point I was trying to make. And I am sorry but no car company is going to start being blamed for what their customers do to their vehicles after purchase, I don't care where you live. Are gun manufacturers being sued for people comitting murder with the products they sell, not a chance. I can see this turning into an argument that will lead no where, we might already be there, so I will just drop it now.
