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After months of clearing the DPF code, I finally got to purge it. Part of the problem was that my scanner has no option for forcing regeneration, while friend with such computer was occupy and could not come to my place.
So I did the purge in the morning and take the car to ski resort 50 miles away. DPF pressure did show lower, but it is variable number and I did not keep specific records.
So coming to the job >> tools needed.
- 6 mm socket
- 22 mm flare wrench (did not have such, so used 7/8" worked for me, but it is a risk)
- DPF cleaner
- DPF purge
- garden sprayer.
651 engine has sensor on very top, so straight garden sprayer worked on this one. Other engines have top sensor side-mounted, so you might need angle tip.
-remove top cover
-remove front air duct
-loosen hose clamps on turbo U-hose and pull the top of the hose out
-pull the air filter box up. It is hold only on rubber pegs. Front pulls up, the rear need to be pulled toward the front.
Start with the cleaner and follow the instruction. The principal is to soak the filter, even the pressure is washing dirt out. Most of the loose dirt is going to be blown during regeneration later on.
So stick the sprayer tip into the hole, rotate it during spraying and per instruction give it 5-10 seconds spray, with 5-10 seconds breaks for soaking.
I have construction snake camera with its B&W monitor, so I took a pictures of monitor. So excuse poor picture quality.
Here are the pictures of inside before and after the purge. I don't think the mesh showing on top is actual cleaning media, but it did show some particles before, while they were gone after.
If you can't see it on pictures - you have to trust me on this one
Right after the purge I had several sensor codes showing up, but they cleared easily.
Then I took 50+ miles drive to the mountain and 50 miles back.
So far so good, will report progress later.
Follow up - the purge helped, but the code about bad DPF pressure come back after some time.
Locally we usually drive 10 miles one way, so not really good for regeneration.
This weekend we plan 550 drive to California, so see how that goes.
After having the DPF efficiency codes coming for about 10,000 miles the filter got plug to the degree where it puts car into limited performance.
I send the DPF to professional shop for cleaning, but they call me back saying that filter shows some mechanical deterioration and suggest replacement.
Local dealer quoted me $3700, when Husker has them for $2600. Both cases are reman filters and new ones are not available. Might be another case where MB USA is selling new parts as reman to get old stuff from black market?
Anyway, I have records and the DPF was replaced 60k miles ago, when MB recommend replacement every 90k.
So it is premature failure, but basically for wearable item.
At this point I will give cleaning shop a chance, but after avoiding SBC and Airmatic, I got another car with high-priced wearable
Bad news, the shop called back that my DPF is having internal damages and even they did clean it, it is not holding the spec. Good part Las Vegas/Boulder City shop did not charge me for it.
Than good news, my native Poland has several DPF shops and they actually manufacture new ones for about $700 or regenerate yours for $200. Add shipping charges, but that is for top-priced DPF for E250, where DPF for older models can be bought much cheaper.
I am negotiating with Polish sellers right now, but it is weekend so it will take few days.
03-25-2018, 03:14 PM
