As a recap from our prior shutdown the previous day, our brand new motorhome required an emergency DPF regen, which necessitated an expensive mobile technician call to accomplish. After that we figured we had a clean diesel particulate filter and that we were good to go. 90 miles later, just as we crested Slumgullion Pass (11,530 ft) on RT 149, south of Lake City, Colorado, guess what alert I see in the control panel? Yep, DPF regen is needed immediately. This time I pulled over on the spot, essentially in the middle road, not wanting another $1500 mobile tech bill.
We immediately pulled off as much as possible with no real shoulder to prevent another expensive mobile tech bill, basically just the RV passenger tires were off the road
Without the dreaded STOP ENGINE message being present, the procedure to initiate a parked DPF regen worked. The RPMs increase to a little over 1000 and the additional heat burns off particulate matter. The manual states this process should take between 20-60 minutes. Ours took 75. To repeat, just 90 miles after we went through a 70 minute parked regen we needed a 75 minute parked regen. A call to Freightliner confirmed something’s wrong and that they will “probably cover it” under warranty.
Our dash during the regen process, note 1000 RPM’s
I think what tipped Freightliner over to admitting this is a real problem is that the DPF light is supposed to illuminate steady, indicating a regen is needed soon, giving the driver time to find a pullout. Ours twice skipped that stage and went directly to blinking, indicating a regen is needed immediately, regardless of ability to safely pull over.
At least we had beautiful scenery while waiting the 75 minutes for the regen to complete
We have an appointment at the Freightliner dealer near Colorado Springs, 233 miles away. The question is, do we attempt to drive there, risking a shutdown(s) or do we have Freightliner tow us, knowing they may not cover a very expensive tow bill? We’re going to attempt the former given the terrain is significantly less mountainous, hopefully meaning passive regen will occur. If not, you may see a 2020 Newmar New Aire along US160 or I-25 off the side of the road burning yet more diesel to meet federal emissions requirements 🙂
Update: Read about our trip to the Freightliner service center in Diesel Particulate Filter Shutdown Part 3: Resolution?
