What does it mean to delete a diesel truck

Interested in DIY installing a diesel delete kit on your truck? Before you get ahead of yourself, you’ll need to do a bit of research. When it comes to diesel delete kits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. DEF delete? DPF delete? Or maybe an EGR delete? What about your truck’s warranty? Well, you’re in luck. Because we know that it’s not always easy to find answers to these questions, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about diesel delete kits.

Índice Show

Understanding the Difference: DEF, DPF, EGR
Rules and Regulations on Delete Kits
Warranty Woes
What Does Deleting Your Diesel Mean?
Please Read This Warning!
What Parts Are Affected With a Diesel Delete?
What is the Diesel Delete Process?
Removing Emissions Control Equipment
Purchase and Install a Programmer/Connection Device
Purchase and Install a Tuning Package on the Vehicle Computer
Why Would You Delete a Diesel Truck?
Auto Engineers Know More Than You Do
Diesel Delete and Climate Change
Something Doesn’t Add Up!

Understanding the Difference: DEF, DPF, EGR

The diesel delete world is chock full of acronyms. While you’re looking at options, you’ll probably run into three different acronyms for three very different delete kits.

DEFs come standard on most newer trucks. The DEF systems work together with the factory SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system to break down your exhaust fumes and clean them up a bit before they exit your exhaust system. The catch about a DEF system is that you have to keep its fluid reservoir filled regularly to keep it functioning properly. This doesn’t just take time – it costs money, too. Deleting your DEF system can help save you money. Plus, your exhaust might have a bit of a beefier growl once you’re done.

DPFs are completely different. Also known as diesel particulate filters, these little buggers are exhaust filters installed in-line on your exhaust system. They filter out a bunch of the particulates from your exhaust before it’s released into the environment. Over time, these filters can clog up and bog down your exhaust system. If you don’t replace them regularly, you might see a decrease in your truck’s performance. While your exhaust might be a smidge dirtier, if you opt for a DPF delete kit, it might be worth the tradeoff. Deleting your DPF can help boost fuel economy AND give you more horses to the wheels.

EGRs are another beast altogether. EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation. This factory-installed system helps to reduce exhaust emissions by recirculating exhaust back into your engine for reuse. However, this recirculation can add extra wear on your engine. Plus, it puts a damper on your engine efficiency, too. Doing an EGR delete can help you get more miles out of your truck engine.

$859.00 Select options
$859.00 Select options
$859.00 Select options

Rules and Regulations on Delete Kits

Unfortunately, the bad news is that the EPA likes to regulate diesel deletes heavily. In many cases, DEFs, DPFs, and EGRs are legally required for all newer trucks that have these systems installed at the factory. If you live in a state where your truck is required to pass emissions tests, deleting these systems can result in hefty fines. Not all states have emissions requirements, so make sure you stay current on what is and isn’t required in your state to avoid potentially costly fines.

Warranty Woes

The other potential downside to installing a diesel delete kit is that it might void the factory warranty on your truck. If something goes wrong with your truck and you need to take it to a dealership for service, you might find out that your warranty has been voided due to installing a diesel delete kit. But, if you’ve got an older truck, you might not need to worry about voiding a warranty that’s already expired.

Understanding diesel delete kits can feel like trying to understand rocket science. Whether you opt for a DEF, DPF, or EGR delete, there’s a solution for every truck owner. Before diving in, make sure you check on local emissions regulations and see if altering your exhaust system will void your manufacturer’s warranty. We hope this short little guide gave you the background info on everything you need to know about diesel delete kits.

Diesel trucks today come off of the assembly line generating very little emissions. If that is true, then why are people looking into deleting their diesel truck? Should you delete your diesel? A closer look reveals it is about more than just emissions. This article will focus on the Pros and Cons of deleting your diesel truck.

The Federal Government continues to put restrictions on emissions from automobiles and trucks. Because of this, automobile manufacturers consequently have to come up with new ways to reduce emissions. Now please don’t start screaming about climate change or jumping on your political soap box. This article is to help explain what deleting a diesel truck means, and as a result, why someone might want to delete a diesel truck.

What Does Deleting Your Diesel Mean?

Basically, deleting a diesel truck means to remove the emissions equipment. It also refers to installing a part or device to bypass emissions controls. With this in mind, some people refer to the process as putting their diesel on a diet or weight loss program.

Please Read This Warning!

Before we go any further, I must let you know:

It is a federal crime to willingly remove emissions equipment and controls from an automobile, truck, or other equipment.

Section 203(a)(3)(B) of the Clean Air Act makes it a violation for any person to manufacture or sell, or offer to sell, or install, any part or component (i.e., “defeat device”) intended for use with, or as part of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine, where a principal effect of the part or component is to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with regulations under Title II of the Clean Air Act, and where the person knows or should know that such part or component is being offered for sale or installed for such use or put to such use.

Also, section 203(a)(3)(A) of the Clean Air Act prohibits any person from knowingly removing or rendering inoperative (i.e., “tampering”) any such emissions control device or element of design.

As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency has released an Enforcement Alert putting all regulated entities on notice.

Bapas Online is not suggesting that anyone perform the delete process on any vehicle. Above all, this article is only to explain the process and also provide more information to why someone would consider it.

What Parts Are Affected With a Diesel Delete?

Basically, any part, device, or elements of design of the emissions system. These are the parts by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The parts are for the specific purpose of controlling emissions.

Examples of such parts, devices, and elements of design include:

the on-board diagnostic system (OBD);
diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs);
sensors for oxygen, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ammonia, particulate matter (PM), urea quality, and exhaust gas temperature;
diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and their sensors;
exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems;
diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs);
selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems;
NOx adsorber catalyst (NAC) systems;
engine calibrations that affect engine combustion (e.g., fuel injection or ignition timing, injection pattern, fuel injection mass for each injection event, fuel injection pressure, EGR flowrate, mass air flowrate, and EGR cooler bypassing);
and any other part, device, or element of design installed on certified vehicles or engines in compliance with Title II of the Clean Air Act and its regulations. Additionally, this includes parts and specifications included in the manufacturer’s tested prototype.

What is the Diesel Delete Process?

The delete process covers three (3) basic steps:

Remove emissions control equipment from the vehicle.
Purchase and install a programmer or connection device.
Purchase and install a tuning package on the vehicle computer.

Lets take a look at each one of these a little more.

Removing Emissions Control Equipment

This step would include removing parts such as catalytic converters, EGR valves, diesel particulate filters (DPF), or any other part listed above.

If the catalytic converter(s) or diesel particulate filter are removed, a section of straight exhaust pipe is put in its place.

If the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is removed, block-off plates are usually used to cover the openings.

Sensors that are connected to this equipment are unplugged and secured out of the way.

Purchase and Install a Programmer/Connection Device

There are many different programmers and connection devices on the market. Because of the increased enforcement from EPA, I am not going to list specific manufacturers here. Do your own research! You should be able to find the information.

The devices connect to the vehicle computer. They also provide the path to install any vehicle-specific tuning packages and to change settings.

Purchase and Install a Tuning Package on the Vehicle Computer

For the same reason above, we will not list any company names that sell the tuning packages (tunes).

The tuning package will disable the emission control equipment. Similarly, they trick the computer into thinking the parts are working correctly. As a result, the vehicle can operate without throwing any trouble codes.

A tuning package will normally come with technical assistance. This is a big help if you have any problems.

Why Would You Delete a Diesel Truck?

There are plenty of arguments for and against deleting a diesel truck. As a result, we want you to watch the video below. It does a great job explaining the different systems on a diesel truck. As a result, it provides Pros and Cons for you to think about.

Insane Diesel; Should I Delete My Diesel? The Truth About Diesel Emissions

Auto Engineers Know More Than You Do

During our time in the diesel world, the discussion of emissions has come up a lot. You are either against EPA regulations or you are for them. Usually there is little middle ground.

Especially now, when everyone is paying a high dollar amount at the pump. One comment that comes up a lot is, “The engineers at Chevy, Ram, and Ford know more than those people that delete their trucks.”

We agree totally! We are not engineers and we do not build engines for a living. Be that as it may, our response is that the engineers at Chevy, Ram, and Ford build engines the way the Federal Government tells them they have to. Therefore, EPA regulations combined with Government oversight decide how vehicles will be built.

Most of the diesel trucks that come off of the assembly line have little to no emissions. If you were to ask any engineer to build an engine that is powerful and will last a long time, they will not build be building it for fuel economy or to lower emissions. They will want clean air into the engine, and a clean fuel to burn. This will give them the power, reliability, and longevity that all of us want.

To lower emissions, they have to route exhaust gasses and dirty air back into the engine. How can this be good? Dirty air in to get clean air out? This is what that will get you:

Clogged Diesel EGR Valve

Dirty Diesel Turbo

There is certainly going to be a sacrifice somewhere. That sacrifice is engine reliability and longevity. You can’t put dirty, oil-filled, and soot-filled air into an engine and expect it to last very long. Internal parts will wear quicker. Repairs will happen more and will cost more.

Diesel Delete and Climate Change

Look around. Listen. Go to social media. Turn on the news. It is everywhere! What, you may ask? Climate change of course!

Furthermore, we hear more and more about electric vehicles. What is the beef with diesel trucks, or oil and gas automobiles anyway? We are not going to get into a full-blown discussion on climate change. Maybe we will cover that at a later date.

Electric vehicles and alternative sources of energy are fine. But, they are not attractive or price competitive until oil and gas are costing us a large amount. What do we have now? That’s right, high oil and gas prices. When oil, gas, and diesel prices are low, electric vehicles are not really thought about.

For example, we briefly mentioned a diesel particulate filter (DPF) earlier. Do you know how those parts are “cleaned” while you drive? A large amount of extra fuel is added to the DPF. This fuel burns and gets the filter hot enough to burn the built-up soot in the filter.

This is called a “Regeneration” or “Regen” mode. When this happens, your fuel mileage drops way down. You have to drive the truck for approximately 20-25 miles to complete the “Regen”.

So let me get this straight. To lower particulate emissions, we are going to inject more fuel and burn hotter to clean the filter? You want to use more natural resources in this process, as well as causing my fuel mileage to bottom out? You want me to drive my diesel vehicle more to clean the filter? In addition, you give a warning to not be near the tailpipe during the “Regeneration” mode because the emissions are highly toxic?

Something Doesn’t Add Up!

It is hard to see where using more fuel and natural resources, lowering fuel mileage, driving the diesel truck more, and releasing highly toxic fumes equals a better climate. But in the eyes of EPA, the Federal Government, and Climate Change fanatics it does!

Please remember, we are only talking about the particulate emissions too. The other emission control systems, and changes to the oil, diesel and gas industry have not been discussed. How does this lead to a vehicle that is price competitive, reliable, and lasts a long time? You’re right, it does not!

There is great debate over Climate Change, and there should be! Unfortunately, we usually only hear one side of the argument. But, it is discussed and taught in schools as pure fact. Further regulation of automobiles is misguided at best.

Now the main question. Should you delete your diesel? That choice is up to you!

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