5/2/22, 12:38 PM

Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Maintenance

Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin: TSB220085
Released Date: 26-Apr-2022
Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Maintenance

Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Maintenance
Warranty Statement
The information in this document has no effect on present warranty coverage or repair practices,
nor does it authorize TRP or Campaign actions.

Contents
Product Affected
B4.5 CM2350 B146C
B6.7 CM2350 B121B
B6.7 CM2350 B136C
B6.7 CM2450 B155B
ISB6.7 CM2250
ISB6.7 CM2350 B101
ISC8.3 and ISL9 CM2250
ISL9 CM2350 L101
ISX12 CM2350 X102
ISX12/ISX11.9 CM2250
ISX15 CM2250
ISX15 CM2350 X101
L9 CM2350 L116B
L9 CM2350 L120C
L9 CM2350 L123B
L9 CM2350 L133C
L9 CM2450 L126B
QSB6.7 CM2250
QSG12/X12 CM2350 G110
QSL9 CM2250
QSL9 CM2350 L118
QSX11.9 CM2250 ECF
QSX15 CM2250 ECF
https://quickserve.cummins.com/qs3/pubsys2/xml/en/tsb/2022/tsb220085.html

1/4

5/2/22, 12:38 PM

Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Maintenance

QSX15 CM2250 ECF
QSX15 CM2350 X105
QSX15 CM2350 X106
X12 CM2350 X119B
X12 CM2450 X137B
X15 CM2350 X114B
X15 CM2350 X116B
X15 CM2450 X124B
X15 CM2450 X134B
Issue
This TSB explains options available for customers to maintain their aftertreatment diesel
particulate filter (DPF). This communication focuses specifically on ash cleaning since ash
cleaning is typically associated with the required maintenance of DPFs.
There are many factors that determine how ash accumulates in an aftertreatment DPF, such as
duty cycle and engine health. How ash accumulates in an aftertreatment DPF influences the
effectiveness of the different types of ash cleaning processes.
Customer Communication
Chemical and Heavy Metal Waste Disposal
 WARNING 
The material captured in a partial flow diesel particulate filter and/or a diesel particulate
filter may contain elevated concentrations of metals. Primarily zinc, molybdenum, and
possibly polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, that may be regulated. These materials must
be characterized, handled, and disposed of according to applicable local regulations. In
addition, due to the presence of the above-listed chemicals and other potentially toxic
components such as oxides of calcium, zinc, phosphorous, silicon, sulfur, and iron,
exhaust filter maintenance must be completed only by appropriately trained personnel.

Air-only Cleaning
Air-only cleaning uses compressed air to remove excess ash from the aftertreatment DPF. This
process pushes air in reverse of the exhaust flow to remove the excess ash and soot from the
aftertreatment DPF. The entire process typically takes about 45 minutes.
Air-only cleaning can remove ash that is loosely packed in and not bonded to the aftertreatment
DPF. Air-only cleaning is typically a lower cost aftertreatment DPF maintenance cleaning process,
but it is less capable of removing densely packed ash or ash that is bonded to the aftertreatment
DPF.
Liquid Cleaning (most effective)

https://quickserve.cummins.com/qs3/pubsys2/xml/en/tsb/2022/tsb220085.html

2/4

5/2/22, 12:38 PM

Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Maintenance

Liquid cleaning uses some type of liquid, such as water or chemicals, to help remove the bond
between the ash and the aftertreatment DPF substrate. This is a longer cleaning process that can
take up to several hours. There are different types of liquid that aftertreatment DPF cleaning
suppliers can use.
As opposed to air-only, liquid cleaning is more effective to loosen ash; however, ash can
create a strong bond with the aftertreatment DPF substrate. In this case, water-only, or water
combined with air, is not sufficient to clean all types of ash that can accumulate in the
aftertreatment DPF. Some readily available suppliers in the market that provide air + water
cleaning are:
Clean Diesel Specialist (CDS)
Emission and Cooling Solutions (ECS) through its DPF RENU program and process
Ceramex North America, which works primarily with dealers and fleets
Liquids with certain organic chemicals are even more effective at breaking the bonds ash
develops with the aftertreatment DPF substrate. When combined with air, it can effectively
remove most ash that accumulates in aftertreatment DPFs. Some readily available suppliers
in the market that provide this type of service are:
Emission and Cooling Solutions (ECS) with its DPF RENU program and process.

Note : Chemicals are not used on every cleaning. If sintered ash is
found during the liquid RENU process, ECS will consult with the
customer on whether to proceed with chemical cleaning.
FSX Inc. offers filter cleaning services to OEMs at its centralized location in Granite
Falls, Washington.

Note : FSX Inc. only offers filter cleaning services on a smaller scale to
regional customers (primarily serving the Washington/Oregon region).
Each customer needs to evaluate the best option to maintain its aftertreatment DPFs and which
cleaning process supports its business needs. Exhaust filter maintenance must be completed
only by appropriately trained personnel.
Aftertreatment DPF Maintenance and Warranty Guidelines
Maintaining Cummins Inc. product is the customers responsibility.
If 5383 is the only aftertreatment DPF-related fault code present, the customer can choose
where to have the aftertreatment DPF cleaned. If there's a fault code other than 5383 related
to an aftertreatment DPF for an out of warranty repair event, the customer should go to a
Cummins® authorized service provider for diagnostics and repairs to identify the root cause
of the issue.
If the aftertreatment DPF is within a Cummins Inc. warranty coverage (base, extended,
emissions, new or ReCon Parts) period, and any aftertreatment DPF related fault codes are
present, the customer must go to a Cummins® authorized service provider for diagnostics
and repairs to identify the root cause of the issue. The authorized service provider will file the
warranty claim to Cummins Inc. if the root cause of malfunction is warrantable.
https://quickserve.cummins.com/qs3/pubsys2/xml/en/tsb/2022/tsb220085.html

3/4

5/2/22, 12:38 PM

Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Maintenance

Document History
Date
2022-4-25

Details
Module Created

Last Modified: 26-Apr-2022

https://cst.cummins.com http://edsprod.cummins.com https://gpst.cummins.com
https://quickserve.cummins.com https://parts.cummins.com https://store.cummins.com
https://wwsps.cummins.com https://access.cummins.com https://commerce.cummins.com
https://qsservices.cummins.com https://webparts.cummins.com https://qsservices.cummins.com
https://adminportal.cummins.com

https://quickserve.cummins.com/qs3/pubsys2/xml/en/tsb/2022/tsb220085.html

4/4