DPF & Aftertreatment: Regens, Cleaning Windows, Red Flags

Aftertreatment issues snowball fast - derates, fuel burn, and parked regens kill productivity. Use these checkpoints to decide when to regen, when to clean, and when to book service before you get sidelined. Our engine diagnostics service can pinpoint aftertreatment faults and get your truck back on the road.

1. Regen Frequency & Soot Load

   More than one parked regen per week or soot load rising faster than normal means the DPF is filling or doser is weak. Schedule a forced regen with data log to confirm.

2. Dash Lights: Check Engine + DEF/DPF Icons

   Combo lights often mean NOx sensor failure, DEF quality/frozen, or DPF delta-P sensor issues. We scan, validate pressures, and swap failed sensors with OEM parts.

3. Excessive Idle or Short Trips

   Stop-and-go routes load soot quickly. Plan a weekly highway run or schedule shop regens; consider an earlier DPF cleaning interval (120k–150k mi).

4. DEF Crystals at the Doser

   White crust indicates leaking or over-dosing. We clean, inspect injector seals, and run a doser quantity test; left unchecked it will clog the decomposition tube.

5. Fuel Economy Drop & High EGTs

   Backpressure from a loaded DPF increases exhaust temps and fuel use. A cleaned DPF restores flow and protects the turbo from added strain.

6. When to Bake & Clean vs Replace

   Clean: normal ash load, no melted substrate, <400k mi since last. Replace: cracks, melted bricks, heavy face plugging, or repeated 5246/4364 codes after cleaning.

Our Aftertreatment Service

- Forced regens with delta-P and NOx monitoring.
- Off-truck DPF baking and flow testing with reports.
- DEF system tests (quality, dosing, line heaters, pumps).
- Exhaust leak and flex inspection to stop false readings.
- Calibration updates when OEM releases fixes for nuisance codes.

Book DPF/SCR Service

Call 610-419-1247 or schedule a visit. We’ll inspect, regen, and clean so you pass your next DOT and keep regen counts low.