Resetting th SOOT LEVEL

Only way to reset the soot level is by VCADS. If you dpf delta p registers high enough it may and I stress may, require a parked regen. The regen process will reset the soot level once complete. However if you had the dpf cleaned the shop should have done a service regen or a crystal sub if a 10 emissions or newer upon install to check the dpf for leaks and any other issues that may arise. Just out of curiosity what did the local shop do? Bake it just blow it out with shop air? Did they flow test it? Why did you take it to them in the first place? Did it have face plugging? Any black holes? Etc.

 

What year is your truck

 

Run your truck. 80% isn't a reason to yank the dpf and clean it. If the aftertreatment system is functioning properly passive regens will happen and you might not even know it unless the high exhaust temp light comes on. If the soot level gets high enough it should call for a parked regen. As long as you don't have a leaking exh system, no boost leaks, the vgt is working and the 7th inj is working regens should be fine. If you get a lot of passive or excess requests for a parked regen then a trip to a dealer might be in order. Were you throwing any codes for the aftertreatment system before yanking it? Did you happen to check up inside the flex pipe when you had it apart? Was there any fibers or thick soot on the dpf inlet face?

 

No actually you won't throw a code for high soot until 200%. Unless the dpf delta p registers a pressure issue. I don't know why but Volvo thought it would be great to show 200% as actually being 100% face plugged. Think of it like alcohol, where 100 proof is actually 50%. It will throw codes in progression, soot level high least severe level, soot level high moderate level, soot level high critically high most severe. Then you get a 120 minute derate message, if not addressed you get a 30 minute derate message with torque reduction then a 5 mph derate. You can get derate for NOx sensors, the 4094 code, which is pretty much an immediate derate. The only anomaly I see is when we get flex pipe failures in the shop. Result is usually complete face plugged dpf with fibers from flex pipe but soot level registers between 42-46%, always. I don't understand it but that's a true story.

 

DPF's need to be backed every 200 to 250k Miles according to manufacture spec's. My old company was doing them between 210 and 220k. Some drivers dont know to have it baked and continue on until the filter fully clog's. So yes it is good preventive maint if you were around that mileage rage.

 

Actually baking is a level 2 cleaning. What is required is a level one cleaning which is compressed air and then flow test. Level 2 required if flow test fails. Baking is bringing up temp to 1500° F in 8 hours bake at that temp for 10 hours and then cool down for 6. Then flow test again. Maintenance interval for dpf cleaning on 2011 and newer Volvo's is 400,000 miles. Attached is the service at a glance sheet Volvo provides.