BULLETIN NUMBER:
IB10-X-001E

IMPORTANT SERVICE
INFORMATION FOR:
 SERVICE MANAGER
 SERVICE ADVISOR
 TECHNICIAN
 PARTS DEPARTMENT
 WARRANTY PERSONNEL

ISSUE DATE:
JANUARY 2018
GROUP:
MISCELLANEOUS

INFORMATION ON DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
CLEANER SYSTEM AVAILABILITY
AFFECTED VEHICLES
 2012-2018MY NPR Stripped Chassis
 2007-2019MY Isuzu N-Series
 2007-2010MY GMC and Chevrolet W-Series
 2007-2009MY Isuzu F-Series
 2007-2009MY GMC and Chevrolet T/C-Series
Equipped with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
 2018MY-Current Isuzu FTR
This bulletin supersedes information bulletin IB10-X-001D. This bulletin is being revised to update
affected vehicles . Please discard previous bulletin IB10-X-001D.

INFORMATION
This bulletin is being issued to inform dealers of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) cleaning recommendations,
inspection practices, and recommended R&R procedures for service and cleaning system availability.
DPF CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS (Thermal Cleaning)
It is Isuzu’s recommendation that any DPF cleaning should always include a thermal cleaning process. If
your dealership is cleaning or using a local service provider for DPF cleaning, be sure the process
includes thermal cleaning. Thermal cleaning raises the DPF filter temperature in order to initiate thermal
regeneration to burn off any residual soot not removed prior to disassembly for service. A cleaning
process that does not include this thermal process may not allow for adequate removal of ash from the
DPF.
To ensure the thermal cleaning is performed during DPF filter cleaning, Isuzu recommends using FSX,
Inc. (FSX). FSX is Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s (ICTA’s) preferred filter cleaning company. ICTA
has worked closely with FSX to ensure the cleaning quality and provide a low cost service with flexible
turnaround times. The FSX cleaning procedure consists of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Initial multi-step inspection and testing.
First pneumatic cleaning.
Second multi-step inspection and testing.
Thermal cleaning and second pneumatic cleaning.
Final multi-step inspection and testing.

To use FSX cleaning services, contact FSX at (360) 691-2999. Provide your vehicle information and
shipping needs (express or economy). Be prepared to provide a credit card for payment. Follow the
below procedure for shipping your DPF core to FSX.
For additional information relating to cleaning costs, inventory pre-ordering, core handling and packaging
refer to Section 11, Special Programs in the Dealer Parts Policies and Procedures manual.

INSPECTION PRACTICES
In order to avoid vehicle downtime and excessive cost the following information is provided for servicing
dealers and technicians to understand how to inspect a DPF filter and determine if that filter can most
likely be reconditioned. While this inspection will not guarantee a filter can be reconditioned, it will isolate
filter failures through visual inspections that cannot be repaired. DPF damage may be categorized into
several different areas such as melt, large surface cracks, weakened cell structure, loose or displaced
ceramic, internal and external ceramic defects. If any of the listed are found, the DPF cannot be
reconditioned and should be replaced. Minor surface ceramic defects may be repairable using special
epoxies. This repaired condition may be identified during a visual inspection.
VISUAL INSPECTIONS
MAJOR SURFACE CERAMIC DEFECTS

LOOSE OR DISPLACED CERAMIC

These defects are deep gouged indents imbedded
below the plugs. These are too severe to repair
and cannot be reconditioned.

This condition cannot be repaired, even if it has the
smallest amount of movement, and cannot be
reconditioned.

CRACKS

SOOT AND ASH

A single crack between one or two cells is
repairable, but if the crack extends along too many
cells, the filter cannot be reconditioned. Surface
cracks are difficult to detect. Using a magnifying
glass can assist in finding displacement cracks.
These cracks are fine lines in the ceramic running
diagonally from corner to corner of adjacent cells.

The inlet side of a DPF should look dark because
of the trapped soot and ash. If both the inlet and
outlet look “black”, then the DPF is not functioning
properly and cannot be reconditioned.

FAILED CELLS

CELL STRUCTURE

Failed or breached cells are detectable by
inspecting the outlet end of the DPF for black
soot colored cells. A few black holes are ok, but
the maximum allowed black holes found are no
more than 20.

Weakened ceramic cell structure is not always visible
and cannot usually be identified in the field. It is
detected during the pneumatic testing/cleaning at
FSX.

REPAIRS

NORMAL CONDITION

Minor surface ceramic defects can be repaired in
some cases. These repairs may appear as small
plugs. This is common in reconditioned DPFs
and will not have an effect on the DPF function.

The outlet side of a DPF should be clean showing no
signs of soot and ash. The particulates should be
trapped inside; therefore, DPF is functioning properly.

Pin Gauge Test
The purpose of this test is to identify internal melting of the DPF filter.
IMPORTANT: Filters that do not pass this test have no core value and should be replaced.

Special Tool EN-50343 Pin Gauge
Available from SPX

IMPORTANT: Do not force the pin gauge into the filter or push the gauge past the maximum depth
mark. This will damage the filter.
IMPORTANT: On 4JJ equipped vehicles, the DPF’s depth measures at 6.25 inches, which is
shorter than the other DPFs. Please take this into consideration when administering the pin gauge
test, as to not damage the DPF filter from the 4JJ equipped engine.
Making a Pin (when special tool EN-50343 is not available)
1. Acquire a straight piece of 0.035 OD welding rod at least 12 inches in length.
2. If the welding rod is longer than 12 inches, cut the rod length down to 12 inches.
3. Smooth the ends of the rod to avoid damage to the DPF filter.
4. Measure from one end of the rod and mark a point at 7.25 inches (NOTE: For 4JJ DPFs, mark
at 6.25 inches). This mark indicates the maximum depth the gauge should be inserted into the
filter.
Pin Gauge Test
1. Lay the filter on a clean surface clean side (outlet side) up.
2. Starting at the 12 o’clock position, drop the pin into a filter cell approximately 2 inches from the
outside edge. Take note of how far the pin drops into the filter.
NOTE: When the filter melts inside, the cells will usually be closed off and the pin will not drop to the
bottom. Usually the damaged area will be in the first 6 inches of the pin drop.
3. In a clockwise direction, randomly check 20 cells (See Figure 1). Take note of how far the pin
drops into the filter at each cell.
4. Repeat Step 3 at a distance half way between the edge and the center of the filter. Take note of
how far the pin drops into the filter at each cell. (See Figure 1)
5. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 at the center of the filter. Take note of how far the pin drops into the filter at
each cell. (See Figure 1)
6. If at any of the above tested points the pin gauge will not drop to the maximum depth as noted
above, the filter has internal damage and should be replaced.

Figure 1
A. Step 3 (20 cells) approximately 2 inches from the outside edge
B. Step 4 half way between the edge and the center
C. Step 5 center

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Remove DPF assembly from the vehicle per the service manual.
2. Remove DPF filter from the DPF assembly per the service manual.

3. Remove all heat shields from the DPF filter. Retain heat shield in a safe place. They must be
reinstalled on the cleaned filter in a later step.
4. Determine if the DPF filter can be reconditioned by performing a visual inspection and the pin
gauge test. Internally damaged filters have no core value and should be replaced.
5. Package DPF filter only (see Figure 1), for shipping to FSX. Be sure to take extra care when
packaging the DPF filter. It is recommended to first package the DPF filter in a smaller box and
then package it in a larger box surrounded with packing material. Shipping damage may render
the filter useless increasing the cost for repair.
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to remove the diesel oxidation catalyst from the DPF prior to
shipping to FSX, as they will charge an additional fee for removal.
IMPORTANT: Damage caused by shipping is the responsibility of the dealership.
6. Ship DPF filter to:
FSX, Inc.
10909-A MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
GRANITE FALLS, WA 98252-1617
7. Receive a cleaned filter and inspect for any shipping damage.
8. Install heat shield on the DPF filter.
9. Assemble the DPF assembly per the service manual.
10. Install DPF assembly.
11. Start vehicle and test drive to confirm no DTC exist. (It is not necessary to regenerate the DPF
after FSX cleaning.)
DPF CLEANING SYSTEMS
Isuzu recognizes the business opportunity for the DPF cleaning industry. A list of DPF cleaning system
suppliers is provided below. Your dealer may wish to review information from these vendors for
additional revenue opportunities.
FSX, Inc.
(360) 691-2999
Web Address: www.fsxinc.com
Donaldson Company, Inc.
Toll-Free Number: 866-675-2847
Web Address: www.donaldsonexhaust.com
SPX Corporation; Service Solutions Division
SPX DPF Support Team
1-800-822-5561
E-Mail: [email protected]