LS SAYS A REGEN EVERY 2 HOURS IS NORMAL

[bavrit]

When i regens, do you see a fog coming out? You should if the DPF is clogged. It could be a faulty back pressure sensor that is telling it the DPF is plugged. For it to truly plug in that time, it would require something really wrong, like a faulty injector. Does your engine oil smell like diesel? Is it makingn oil? If you continue to run this way, your engine will not last.

 

[FERLING]

LS SAYS A REGEN EVERY 2 HOURS IS NORMAL

Here's my regen history, the best I have record of it. I'm sure I missed a few early on before I recognized there was a real problem and started keeping track. I have been having excessive regens almost since the tractor was purchased.

Dealership has been great at getting the tractor in for service and trying a few things, but unfortunately the problem has not been resolved. They called me yesterday after hearing back from LS and informed me that LS’ stance is that regeneration every 2 hours is normal. If regeneration is occurring more frequently than 2 hours apart, there could be an issue.

I find that unacceptable. I use the tractor at home, it is not a business machine, but based on an 8 hour work day, what should be a normal regen cycle of around 50 hours, would give me 6+ days between regens, and LS is telling me that 4 times per day is normal!

First some qualifying information.

• Tractor is run consistently between 1800 and 2400 RPM
• Always used on road diesel filled from high turnover stations in 5 gallon cans, I fill 2 or 3 cans, 10-15 gallons at a time, so there has been a lot of fuel turnover, not the same, or old fuel being used. Tried with and without fuel additive (Power Kleen or Howes) no change. At one point LS blamed fuel quality, but refused to test the fuel in the tank to prove it.
• DPF switch left in regeneration mode, I have never inhibited regeneration.

Occasionally before a regen, the DPF regeneration indicator will blink on/off at 1 sec intervals indicating a >120% soot load, then soon after it will go through a normal regen cycle without me needing to initiate it via the DPF switch. I have not kept a detailed record of when the indicator flashes before a regen, but I have noticed it several times (and I’m sure I missed it blinking a few times too.) Normally it seems to go right into regen mode (solid light) indicating 100% soot load, not >120%, but not always.

I’ve also had a few regens complete and then within 5 minutes the tractor goes into limp mode which a restart clears. That has happened maybe 3 times or so. I don’t recall what was displayed on the instrument panel other than the red ! (Vehicle control error warning indicator.)

Another thing I have noticed more recently, this may be indicative or not; I have noticed a much more pronounced diesel odor in the exhaust than in the past. While nothing like my previous non tier IV motor which was sooty, the MT240 used to burn extremely clean with no noticeable exhaust odor, now there is a diesel exhaust smell, not horrible, but definitely noticeable. Maybe now because it has 300 hours that is to be expected. There is no visible soot or black smoke, just a diesel odor that was not there previously. I may also hear injector or valve chatter that is louder then before as well.

Additionally there were a couple regens run at the dealership during troubleshooting and maintenance which I don't have listed below.

Regen time on hour meter, all regens completed successfully after ~15 minutes:

4 (ran by dealer due to error code, day after I brought it home)
101
106
112
115 (Dealership replaced DPF Sensor, removed and cleaned DPF)
118
119
148
165
175
187
191
197
213
224
234
250
254 (Dealership replaced ECU and DPF sensor. Invoice notes “REGEN OCCURRING TO OFTEN WITH NO SOOT LOAD”)
259 (In Dealership for service, ran diagnostic, nothing significant noted)
262
269
276
300

I'm looking for advice on how to move forward. First I need to be able to get the dealer to move forward since LS who is paying for the warranty work says this is NORMAL OPERATION.

Next I see 2 different paths.

1. DPF System has a fault
2. DPF system working normally, tractor producing too much soot

Comments?

Sounds like trade time on a model (New Holland) that everything is done automatically without you ever knowing it. You got a lemon and no one that will help you make lemonade out of it. Pay someone to clean it up like new and put a price tag on it as is! Sometimes you have got to cut your losses and move on. Used tractors that look new are bringing premium prices.

 

[Capt99]

What year is your LS? I have had similar problems, 50 hr regen! Must be fairly new. I have a 2015 LS XR4046 HC, regen cycle time is 4 hrs. regen is 30-40 minutes. I had a problem that it would not finish regen and it turned out to be a little steel washer that seals the injectors. Never got into limp mode, but wouldn't come out of regen. Also, have them recheck fuel return line to fuel tank if that is pinched even a little it will effect the regen. I have had a new DPF burner put in by last owner, very expensive and the injectors are almost worse. What every one is telling you about fuel is very true. Not clean and it will mess up regen. I change fuel filters every 100 hrs Additives do nothing more than drain your pocket. It seems like the most important fuel filter is the tiny one, pre-fuel filter, and least expensive. Lastly, my dealer has me clean air filter every time I go to use. It has helped immensely. When I had my problem I actually talked to an engineer and he said for my model year 4 hrs is the cycle time. But to watch regen time. As an added bonus, you won't always get the code the book has. I didn't and it was frustrating to me and the dealer I use. It seems clean fuel, clean air are the keys. 2 hrs is way to short. I am with others, injector and fuel tank, if DPF burner or injectors.... I use mine XR at least 4-6 hrs at a time, and need 1 regen. I write start and stop times with a maker on side window and try to plan regens so as to minimize the time sitting still. That way regen happens will working and not after the job is done. Just my thing.... good luck
To further add, the 2015 has a Shibura motor, newer LS's have the LS motor, longer regen cycle. New Hollands are made by LS as quoted by member that replied after me. Sounds like a lemon also, I would suspect something blocking cycle, heat, air flow, fuel ...

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Sounds like trade time on a model (New Holland) that everything is done automatically without you ever knowing it. You got a lemon and no one that will help you make lemonade out of it. Pay someone to clean it up like new and put a price tag on it as is! Sometimes you have got to cut your losses and move on. Used tractors that look new are bringing premium prices.

Why? The New Hollands are made by LS......

 

[Bavarian]

There was a similar story on here. I think it was a Kioti owner. It turned out to be a faulty injector.
That would confirm your smell for diesel.

I personally would not put too much hope in snake oils.

 

[Kioti Dave]

My Kioti NX4510 normally regens every 35 to 40 hours. Had an issue last summer when the regen cycle went down to 1 hour or so. Had a bad injector that was replaced. Regens went up to around 5 hours. Discovered an oil leak in the turbo. That was replaced and regens went back up to 35 to 40 hours again. I removed the hose that goes from turbo to intake. Found oil in that hose. If DPF is functioning normally, there must be unburned fuel or oil getting into the DPF cannister.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Agreed: Injector(s), fuel pressure, fuel timing.. turbo if you have one. Send it back to the dealer again and have them actually look at them and not simply read the ECM logs.

 

[lvsule]

I had similar problems as JCoastie with my LS XR4140C. Brought it to my dealer and he tracked it down to a loose or broken ground wire. Works fine now. How he tracked it down to that I have no idea but tractor is fine just a loose wire. Way cheaper than most other ideas posted Worth having checked.

 

[kpsp50]

I have to agree with furling time to trade it in on another model before the warranty is out and you have big headaches I have a Branson with no problems good luck

 

[priberc]

What are you doing with it when you use it? If you work the dog stuffing out of it all the time it will make more soot.....making more regen's necessary