Let us first learn about Freightliner trucks, the Cascadia model, and the Jaltest scan tool for Freightliner before going to the various aspects of the diesel particulate filter for Freightliner trucks.
Founded in 1929, Freightliner is an American semi-truck manufacturer. Originally launched as a truck manufacturing division of Consolidated Freightways, it was changed in 1942 to the Freightliner Corporation. Owned by Daimler AG from 1981 to 2021, the company is now a part of Daimler Truck subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America.
Freightliner has a wide product portfolio ranging from vans and medium-duty trucks, to heavy-duty trucks while the Freightliner Custom Chassis subsidiary manufactures bare chassis and cutaway chassis for multiple types of vehicles. Freightliner was the company that first introduced the cabover semi-tractors and today, the Freightliner Argosy leads the field in this category in North America.
Freightliner heavy-duty Class 6-8 trucks are the most popular in this class in North America though Class 5-8 models of Freightliner trucks are not too far behind in popularity.
The fifth-generation and most advanced in the Freightliner truck range is the Cascadia model which is optimized for high performance with several cutting-edge features. It is designed to reduce drag, increase airflow, and enhance fuel economy.
The Jaltest scan tool for Freightliner helps to diagnose the chassis module, climate HVAC, and electronic control module, as well as actuate components such as fog lights, headlights, turn lights, and others. Among the most critical activities carried out is the fault code clearance of the diesel particulate filter in Freightliner semi-trucks that prevents them from going into limp mode.
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Various Facets of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in Freightliner Trucks
This section will now focus on the DPF for Freightliner and will be considered so even if the name of the truck manufacturer is not mentioned when discussing the various aspects of DPF.
Diesel engines are more popular today than their gasoline counterparts as they are more sustainable and fuel-efficient. They are perfect for heavy-duty applications and are also widely used in light vehicles and passenger cars. However, over time, while diesel engine usage has skyrocketed, efforts have also been made to control emissions and reduce the environmental impact by developing after-treatment technology.
This is where the Diesel Particulate Filter enters the picture.
What is the Diesel Particulate Filter in Freightliner
The Freightliner DPF is a critical after-treatment device that catches and stores exhaust ash particles and other contaminants to reduce particulate matter emissions from diesel engines.
The Functioning of DPF Filter in Freightliner
There are several varieties of DPFs available with the most common being the cellular ceramic honeycomb filters. This is because ceramic materials offer the best thermal resistance and stability. The ceramic honeycomb DPF has channels that are blocked at either end. The exhaust gas is forced through the DPF filter of Freightliner while the dangerous soot remains trapped in the filter.
This is true for any model of the truck, whether it is the Freightliner M2 DPF filter or the DPF filter for Freightliner Cascadia. Since a DPF has limited capacity, soot builds up that needs to be removed, not only to ensure that the filter is working properly but in extreme cases to prevent the vehicle from going into limp mode.
This soot removal process or Freightliner DPF cleaning is called forced regens, one of the vital activities that can be carried out with the scan tool for Freightliner.
The Reasons For the Failure of DPF Filter Freightliner
DPF filter regeneration occurs only when certain conditions are met. These are conditions that typically impact engine temperature, vehicle speed, vehicle RPM, and exhaust gas temperature. The optimal temperature of the engine should be 250°C but for that, the vehicle should be in peak performance mode.
In a nutshell, then, any mechanical problem prevents DPF regeneration and causes soot accumulation and clogging. Hence, it is always wise to use the Jaltest scan tool for Freightliner to carry out a “full system scan” of the truck to check for any underlying fault codes that might be the cause of the soot buildup.
Indications of a Blocked Diesel Particulate Filter for Freightliner
We have seen the functioning of the Freightliner DPF, its functioning, and the reasons for a DPF failure. Let us learn about how to recognize the systems of such a failure.
Warning Lights
The most common indication is warning lights on the display of the onboard computer in Freightliner trucks. Fault code in alpha-numeric format will show the nature of the malfunction. You must now connect the Jaltest diagnostic laptop to the onboard computer and navigate through the software to carry out force regens to bring your truck back on the road.
Increased fuel consumption
There is a possibility of failure of the DPF filter in Freightliner if you find an increase in fuel consumption. This is because the purpose of the DPF is the removal of exhaust fumes from the engine while trapping the soot particles. If the DPF is clogged, the exhaust gasses cannot escape the engine as quickly and efficiently as they should.
This position weakens the engine as the exhaust gasses cannot escape as cleanly as required. It is the natural inclination of drivers at this point to step on the gas to increase the power of the engine. However, this has a negative effect as the engine consumes more power to eliminate the gasses, leaving less energy for acceleration, and thereby consuming more fuel.
The engine will not start
The pressure of accumulated gasses in the DPF filter Freightliner M2 or any other model will prevent the engine from starting until the pressure is lowered. This is a blessing in disguise in a way as it stops the engine from starting and prevents damage to it.
Problems with the Turbocharger
A blocked DPF filter in Freightliner M2, Cascadia, or others leads to various malfunctions such as gas or oil leaks since the accumulated exhaust gasses have nowhere to go. That is why it starts leaking directly from the turbocharger, resulting in more oil leaks and decreasing the overall efficiency of the turbocharger.
Freightliner DPF Filter Cleaning – Maintenance Tips
The most critical part involving maintenance of the Diesel Particulate Filter and increasing its life cycle is to ensure that it can regenerate itself when soot builds up in it. There are three types of Freightliner DPF cleaning – passive, active, and forced regeneration.
Let us check them out individually.
Passive DPF Regeneration
Passive regeneration is a process that occurs when the temperature of the engine is higher than 350°C. When the vehicle is driven normally, this temperature burns away the excess soot from the Diesel Particulate Filter.
Passive regeneration of the DPF filter Freightliner is a fully automated process and the driver will not even notice when it is going on. The only pre-condition is that the engine’s temperature must reach 350°C for it to happen and the vehicle must be driven at high speeds for long periods.
Active DPF Regeneration
Just like passive regeneration, active regeneration too is an automated process and starts when the soot levels in the DPF reach the limit of 45%. The pressure sensors in the engine management system now trigger the injection of raw fuel to the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), thereby increasing the exhaust temperatures and creating the conditions required for active regeneration. As in passive regeneration, active regeneration occurs when the vehicle is driven for extended periods at high speeds.
Forced DPF Regeneration
In this process where Freightliner Cascadia DPF filter cleaning, or for that matter in any other model, takes place, it is necessary to use optimized scan tools such as the Jaltest Diesel Particulate Filter Freightliner diagnostic software. You will be guided by our scan tool for Freightliner on how to regenerate the filter.
This process can be carried out when the Freightliner truck is stationary in some models and the engine is revved up to high speeds to increase the temperature of the exhaust gasses. In others, on-road driving is required.
However, there are several reasons why it is advisable to carry out forced regeneration when the truck is stationary. Self-clean of the DPF may be hampered by low fuel levels or system and component failure. If forced regeneration is required, the cause of the soot buildup must be traced and the system restored to working order first. It is essential to check the working of the pressure sensor when taking up Freightliner DPF cleaning.
The DPF typically gets clogged in stop-go-stop operations generally seen in local urban cycle driving and in operations of construction equipment such as excavators and dozers.
When soot accumulation in the DPF increases, a warning light appears on the onboard computer display. At this point, connect the Jaltest scan tool for Freightliner to the onboard computer port, select the model from the menu, and select the procedure to be followed for forced regeneration.
The software will guide you on the engine rev to be deployed for forced regeneration. Generally, the vehicle must be driven at above 70km/h for about 10 minutes or at high rev for 40 minutes if stationary. The rise in temperature of the exhaust gasses burns away the soot accumulation. The Freightliner DPF filter cleaning must be done manually when the extent of soot accumulation is more than 75%.
Summing Up
The Diesel Particulate Filter for Freightliner is a crucial component and when maintained well and kept clean, it increases the engine performance and reduces fuel consumption. Use our Jaltest scan tool for Freightliner to carry out Freightliner DPF cleaning and keep your fleet and the DPF in peak operating mode.
What makes our diagnostic software a cut above the others is the ease with which it can be configured and set up. Unlike other diagnostic tools in this niche, there are no elaborate configuration and setup processes, simply download the software onto the laptop, plug it into the onboard computer for scanning the health of your fleet, and you are good to go.
Finally, we provide three updates to our software every year so that it can be in tune with technical innovations made to Freightliner trucks.
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