20swrt

A lot of modern diesel vehicles nowadays (mostly trucks) have DPF light /indicator on the dashboard. I dont know why Mercedes diesels do not have this useful indicator (Well, i havent been to the showroom lately) on my 2007 ML CDI. I do have a ELM327 OBD2 connector. I am using DashCommand currently. Has anyone here tried using the DPF functionalities of another iPad app called NovaScan ? It claims it can "Request to Initiate DPF Regen".

Plutoe

All the driver needs to know about the DPF is included within the manual!!Plus I doubt very seriously that any OBD2 scannar can read the MB DPF!!

What's the issue anyway, the DPF by design will go into regen mode once certain delta P's are sensed---------or is this just a putzing around thing!!!

The standard factory software DAS Xentry won't do that you need developer authority to accomplish a manual DPF regen!!

N_Jay

Interesting question.


If the "Request to Initiate DPF Regen" is in the standard, I wonder if MB has the option of ignoring it.


Although, since it is a "request" maybe that makes it optional.


Standards are all about the meaning of words.

20swrt

There are already 3 DPF PIDs identified in the OBD2 standard (SAE J1979).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs

7A Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
7B Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
7C Diesel Particulate filter (DPF) temperature

My guess is the first 2 is for DPF pressure (before/after DPF). Yes, perhaps the "initiate regeneration" functionality maybe a proprietary function of MB. But I want to "see" the current status of my DPF so I know when it is due for a regen or not. Why? same reason why there is a DPF light on trucks and other modern diesels.

Plutoe

You really don't need to know when it's do for a regen---that all happens seamlessly with the MB DPF system----what knowing about brake pad wear or oxygen sensor or transmission fluid condition or tire pressure monitor cabin air condition or a lambda meter or injection quantity meter or differential fluid condition----all with 3D graphics and a frame by frame combustion picture

Carsy

I would, so it does not complete one in my garage.

How long are the DPF's lasting ? .

Does the longevity depend on how the car is driven ?

Thanks.

Plutoe

The MB docs I have seen refer to 100000 miles of longevity, but as we all know everything is based on statistics ---the devil is in the detail which the public will never see.

I am sure that loads of city miles vs loads of highway miles makes a difference---what that difference is I doubt the public will never learn.

We all know that MB diesels with DPF have a different engine oil speced for that purpose and it is very important to follow the spec.


One interesting point to watch will be the MB diesels with DPF coming on to the used market---there will always be a homie that thinks he really got a deal on a used MB with DPF----just wait for all the whining when he finds he has to spend thousands for a new system!!

Micah / AF1 Rac

Or hundreds of $$$ on tubing and welding supplies and a reflash to kill off that non functional DPF system, and a lot of downtime and custom work in the garage. DPF is such a waste of fuel, from the exducer turbine restriction to the process of lighting off the regen cycle, as dumb as egr but even more nefarious in my mind. I spent close to a thousand in custom pipes work and flashing just to kill off egr on my inline six W211, of course every time it get over 40 mpg average on a trip it seems worth every penny.

N_Jay

Or you have these guys clean it up for you for about $500.
http://www.dpfregeneration.com/

N_Jay

It does it when running at higher speeds for a period of time, it is not done when idling.


From what I have read the way to keep your DPF healthy is to;
Avoid short trips.
Avoid unnecessary excessive idling.
Use good fuel and always use proper oil.
Pay attention to other issues that trip the "Check Engine" light. (Don't just keep driving for a long time because it "feels" OK)

There have a been a few people here mentioning they needed a replacement, but far more well over 100K and doing OK. (Of course OK is relative because we don't know how much time/miles we have left)

MB likes to replace parts with new at the highest possible cost. (It does help keep the car "Like New"), but the trucking and heavy diesel world is moving to off-vehicle regeneration when normal regeneration fails.
With the number of Sprinters in commercial service, getting our MB DPFs regenerated is going to get easier.

cocoh

If you want play with DPF, just use Vediamo!! Its the best!

Carsy

Interesting Info. Thanks NJ.

N_Jay

I am not sure I want to "play" with the DPF.
I just want it to work as well as possible for as long as possible.


If someone confirmed that extra regen cycles helped (without wasting too much fuel, or being hard on other systems like EGR) I would be interested.

20swrt

On the VW/Audi TDI forums - they say their radiators run and the RPMs are unusually higher during a regen cycle. I never really experienced anything like that on my CDI. All other truck based diesels have RPMs up to 2K idle speed during regen.

I want to monitor the differential pressure now when my DPF is healthy so I can compare the numbers years later. I also want to know when a regen is approaching/happening so I dont interrupt it when it is happening. During winter, it is very hard for the exhaust to reach optimum temps for a complete and effective regen (>600F). Its even harder if folks take short drives in the winter. We know the DPF will not last forever, I think everyone will agree that DPF deterioration does not happen overnight....this is a slow progressive failure that nobody can "see" unless you have the proper OBD tools. Also, it helps used buyers determine how much life is left on the DPF.

Micah / AF1 Rac

Look into PLX Kiwi Wifi, it's an OBDII streamer via a small wifi network to your phone or tablet, the cool thing is you can add expansion modules like EGT and Exhaust manifold pressure or even pairs, one set upstream of the DPF and one downstream. Since regen cycle requires literally injection ing fuel into the exhaust manifold durum ing oxygen rich running, very light throttle or idle speeds if you only want to know when its on I'm sure a very simple diy led circuit could be made for way less money, lower tech, but if you only want to know when it's active...seems easy enough?

ImInPA

If you want the DPF to work as long as possible and as well as possible. DON"T PLAY WITH IT!!!!!

Micah / AF1 Rac

Personally, I don't. I want it gone off any diesel that ends up in my driveway, the only reason my Sprinter still has any of its emissions BS on it is warranty. I think my inline 6 W211 is far cleaner now in terms of co2/mile or soot/mile at 40 mpg than it was at the stock 27 mpg, it didn't have DPF though, just cat and egr from new. I am thinking of adding a TDI Cup, 6 speed manual to the fleet, all that BS will be gone within days of buying the right one, I think 50+ mpg would be sort of cool for a daily driver.

N_Jay

Unfortunately, as the engines get more efficient, the soot becomes finer, and it moves from being a visible annoyance to a toxic pollutant capable if being inhaled deep into the lungs where it is a shown carcinogen.
So, while I agree the current gen of DPF are sub-optimal, I think they are necessary for any significant adoption of diesel for light vehicles.

GregMN

So, to monitor you DPF, all you have to do is look over at the shelf in the garage that it is sitting on.

That is where I am headed.

Micah / AF1 Rac

For me...yes, I have a whole box of stock "take off" parts for each car and truck in the fleet out of warranty.

isstay

This is from my 2014 Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel - it tells you when starts and when finished.

N_Jay

Them Italians!

isstay

Bosch made the fuel delivery system and the ECU software, it is probably up to the car maker to ask what to be programmed.

N_Jay

A bit off topic, but wondering how you like it.


I tried to take my brother into the diesel, but he went with the gasser.

isstay

Absolutely love the powertrain but finding myself overlooking the interior fit and finish, I guess I'm expecting higher quality I'm used to with MB. Overall it is very capable vehicle with tons of options for lot less than the ML. Plus the powertrain looks more customer friendly for service.