Diesel exhaust fluid

[5030]

unless you use an aftermarket kit to delete the system (technically illegal) then yes you HAVE to use it.

It is my understanding that the truck will refuse to run if the urea tank is empty just like it would if it were out of fuel.

It will derate to a negligible horsepower or 'limp home mode'

I'm puzzled about something you commented on earlier....

I never heard of heated washer fluid. Sounds like a lazy person's version of a heated toilet seat.:laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris maybe his trucks DEF tank was not filled full at the time of purchase ?
Or he has a dually and working truck harder.

Boone

Yea, maybe. I was referring to you Boone. Thanks for the info and the update. Glad you like the truck.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

pure urea (the majority of the exhaust fluid) has a melting point of ~273 F

which means the systems employ a series of heaters to keep the fluid liquid (especially in cold times and in cold climates) (not just a tank heater but a line heater and injector heater)

and for Ford, who cant figure out how to do a heater for washer fluid correctly.... it wouldnt surprise me a bit to see significant issues with the urea systems on the trucks within 3 years, and because of that manufactures completely move away from urea based systems in 5.

Only time will tell but im solidly on the side of the fence that thinks that system is going to be a nightmare to maintain.

You got this all wrong. Its GM that has had trouble with the heated washer fluid and DEF fluid heaters. Ford has had no wide spread issues with either. GM's brilliant fix for the washer fluid was to simply deactivate it, not fix it.:confused2:

Chris

 

[schmism]

You got this all wrong. Its GM that has had trouble with the heated washer fluid and DEF fluid heaters. Ford has had no wide spread issues with either. GM's brilliant fix for the washer fluid was to simply deactivate it, not fix it.:confused2:

Chris

ah i sit corrected... (could have sworn it was ford with the heater washer fluid issues)

and yes i know what the "fix" was which is why i was/am so cynical of the heater systems.

 

[Bigkrank]

ah i sit corrected... (could have sworn it was ford with the heater washer fluid issues)

and yes i know what the "fix" was which is why i was/am so cynical of the heater systems.

The "fix" is you have your dealer spend two minutes to unhook it. A week/10 days later you get a check for $100 for having complied with the recall. Then you spend $68 of it to buy the newer alpha-therm unit and plug it in, another two minutes. Go to bar/grill with the leftover $32 to drown your sorrows for not having bought a Ford (not)

My son's check was for $112, not sure why the extra $12. I only got the $100.

 

[PoorMansCat]

If you live in southern climates, the DEF you are purchasing is 1/3 amonia and 2/3 distilled water.
I wonder what would happen if somebody just put distilled water in it....
This is yet ANOTHER reason that I purchased an 06 model diesel truck and have no plans to upgrade to a newer diesel...
This is also the reason I purchased my Bota when I did.... tier 4 WILL be on EVERYTHING diesel....

 

[schmism]

If you live in southern climates, the DEF you are purchasing is 1/3 amonia and 2/3 distilled water.

cite a source

every source i find on DEF says its UREA (NH2)2_CO. (in about a 33% concentration) not ammonia NH3 .
Infact its the urea that combines with the NOx in the exhaust to FORM ammonia that is then burnt in a special CAT.

so starting with ammonia would most certainly NOT work. starting with 100% water is unlikely to work and likely throw codes on the truck, im shure they have some sort of 02 type sensor after the NOx CAT to detect if its doing its job.

 

[5030]

We have a fair number of Class 8 diesels with DEF in the fleet right now and for kicks and grins we tried 28%, the same stuff we put on Corn. It works just fine.

On the subject of heated washer fluid, I just added a length of washer hose between the punp and nozzles, wrapped around a heater hose and secured with zip ties. Works fine, cost 3 bucks.:laughing:

 

[arsenix2001]

We have a fair number of Class 8 diesels with DEF in the fleet right now and for kicks and grins we tried 28%, the same stuff we put on Corn. It works just fine.

On the subject of heated washer fluid, I just added a length of washer hose between the punp and nozzles, wrapped around a heater hose and secured with zip ties. Works fine, cost 3 bucks.:laughing:

Dam man, thats a good idea!

 

[TroySD]

For example a 535 HP CaseIH Quad Track tractor has a 300 gallon fuel tank. 60 gallon DEF tank. It requires filling roughly every other fill up on regular fuel. All the new feed mixer trucks have them here. Interestingly enough and not to start a brand war...Deere has the burner in theirs but not the DEF fluid but the rumor mill has Deere going to DEF in the very near future. I have a couple customers running the new Tier IV tractors. They don't seem to have any issue with them. Adding the DEF Fluid is just the same as filling with fuel. They all have bulk tanks of them here. Or you can buy in 2 gal jugs.