Participating Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers now offer a diesel particulate filter cleaning service through the FSX Inc. cleaning machine.

The FSX machine cleans both ends and each cell of a DPF, which can have up to 6,000 individual cells. The FSX machine can clean filters from light-duty vehicles all the way up to heavy-duty trucks.

The FSX machine features the TrapTester 7, an air-flow test bench that tests a filter before and after it is cleaned to determine the extent of ash build-up.

"Without the testing capability, it's impossible for technicians to know how clean the filter is after a DPF cleaning," said Jeff Sass, general marketing manager for Paccar Parts. "The air flow test allows them to determine if the filter is clean enough to re-install on the vehicle."

"Only the FSX package uses the pneumatic TrapBlaster 7, or air knife scanning technology, which directs air through high pressure jets to clean each cell of a dirty DPF individually on both ends," Sass said. While the forced air is powerful enough to clean stubborn ash and soot off the filter, it will not damage cell walls or platinum coatings or dislodge ceramic from the filter casing.

A manual override feature on the TrapBlaster allows technicians to adjust the cleaning during the process. In addition, an adjustable nozzle system allows them to clean under filter flanges and into recessed cavities. Technicians can also adjust the machine to clean filters from 5 inches to 36 inches in height and from 6 inches to 21 inches in diameter. A two-stage HEPA filtration system called SootSucker 2 captures ash from each DPF, eliminating the problem of dust settling back on the filters.

For more information on FSX's DPF cleaning equipment, go to www.fsxinc.com.