Buy quality blue def

[revrusty]

I just want to give a heads up to others who may be as ignorant as I have been about blue def quality. I have assumed that as long as it says 100 per cent blue def that the brand did not matter. In fact I have often filled the blue def tank at truck stops. Now my truck is in the shop because of crystals forming and stopping up the blue def system. Been a week as they took out the tank and injector and other parts. The diesel shop mechanic says that they have had tractor trailer trucks cut off while idling overnight after filling def tanks at truck stops. I had noticed the white crystals around the dispenser nozzle but didn't have the knowledge to know it was a problem. NOW I know the hard way.
Anyway. just a heads up to others like me that don't know any better. I don't know if we are allowed to mention a brand but if we can let me know and I will tell you the brand my mechanic recommends. He says they have never seen a problem when using this particular brand. Thanks for listening and hope this can help someone else avoid my problem.

[bobbecky]

You already made reference to the brand when you said BLUE def. The basic product is called def (diesel exhaust fluid), and the blue is part of the brand name. I’ve never had a problem with the fluid, although since purchasing the truck, I think I’ve almost exclusively used the Blue brand.

[revrusty]

Well that just further demonstrates my ignorance on the topic. However, the type of blue def that has been recommended to me is by Peak. I see a lot of blue def products by other companies and I don't know what is in the tank at Pilot truck stop, it says blue def, I think. Anyway I am certainly no authority but if I ever get my truck back in service I will only use the one my mechanic is recommending.

[Badbart56]

I put about 200K miles a year on my semi truck and have never had any issue with DEF. I probably go through 5 to 8 gallons per day. And for my F350 I've used Walmart DEF and never had any problems with that either. The white crystals you speak of are present in all DEF. The only issues I'm aware of is when someone gets the idea that they can add water to the DEF to try to get more mileage out of it. There are sensors that can detect this and they will shut the truck down if the mix is modified. It will also shut down if the sensor goes bad, I have experienced that. As long as it's API certified it's good, and believe me, if a company tried to sell some that wasn't and truckers had breakdowns because of it, they would be sued and blacklisted.

[revrusty]

I can assure you that I have NEVER added anything to the def. Again, I am only sharing what happened to me, they have 2 other pickups at that shop right now with def problems of some sort. I am certain that the occurrence is rare or there would be more awareness as you say and I have trucker friends who have also had no problem.

I did also hear from a friend that owns a construction company that they had problems with their 2 newer bulldozers that require def. Crystals stopping up injectors. They now meticulously clean the nozzle every time try to avoid the crystals that form there.

One other thing that the mechanic told me was that for trucks that get little use, the def can form the crystals in the tank more often. They told me to try to drive my truck at least an hour a week to help that problem. I should have mentioned that my TV often sits for a week or two without being cranked. It is not our daily vehicle.

[notanlines]

Rusty, you don't seem to be catching on to Bob's comment that Blue DEF is a particular brand, a good brand I might add. DEF is simply that, DEF. "Diesel Exhaust Fluid."

[Laredo Tugger]

I have never used enough DEF to fill out of the truck stop pumps. I have always used the aforementioned color coded product and had no problems. I usually throw 2 boxes in my TV if I am going to tow on a trip and keep one on hand for in between trips. Never had any problems with the fuel system, I do not commute daily in my truck but I do drive it 2-3 times a week for various reasons.
While we are on (topic) diesel exhaust systems, I was reading about an uptick in catalytic converter thefts. Evidently as the rest of the world has decided they want to do their part for clean air the demand for these parts and metals has skyrocketed as well as the price.
Does the modern day exhaust system on our tow vehicles have these components in the DEF system or are they completely different designs (because they are diesel)? The article did mention lifted 4X4 trucks were easier targets than conventional height vehicles. Guess I will just tie the neighbors mean dog to my truck every night?
RMc

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by revrusty

I can assure you that I have NEVER added anything to the def. Again, I am only sharing what happened to me, they have 2 other pickups at that shop right now with def problems of some sort. I am certain that the occurrence is rare or there would be more awareness as you say and I have trucker friends who have also had no problem.

I did also hear from a friend that owns a construction company that they had problems with their 2 newer bulldozers that require def. Crystals stopping up injectors. They now meticulously clean the nozzle every time try to avoid the crystals that form there.

One other thing that the mechanic told me was that for trucks that get little use, the def can form the crystals in the tank more often. They told me to try to drive my truck at least an hour a week to help that problem. I should have mentioned that my TV often sits for a week or two without being cranked. It is not our daily vehicle.

Was there a problem that caused you to take it for service? Or did they find that mysteriously when changing the oil for you or some other routine maintenance.... I’ve never heard of that before but the fact they have several other trucks in for same thing seems a little fishy to me ... maybe that’s a how they make extra money..probably not but I would be looking for second opinion if it wasn’t covered under warranty

[dutchmensport]

I have never used DEF at any truck stop, because I just don't stop at truck stops. The only Truck Stop I'll stop at is the I-80 Truck Stop on Interstate 80 in Iowa. It's clean (and busy).

I use Wall Mart Blue DEF and never had any problems. Wall Mart sells another brand, but I will not use it at all. Why? Because the cap is not sealed. Blue DEF comes in a box, the cap is sealed, and you know its not been watered down. I spent too much $$$$ on my truck to take risky chances using a brand that's a little cheaper, and run the risk it's been tainted. Just like medicines, if the cap seal is not sealed, don't use it.

I have no clue what is being sold at truck stops. But the few I've been to, if the oil and grease and spilled gasoline all over everywhere is any indication of what's going on with the DEF, I'll just keep getting mine from Wall Mart and pay a little extra.

My truck is paid for. I'm in no hurry to go in debt for another one because I cheap-ed out a couple bucks and it ended up costing me thousands.

The above poster makes a good point though.... if the DEF sold at truck stops is not good, truckers would be throwing fits.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Wall Mart sells another brand, but I will not use it at all. Why? Because the cap is not sealed.

The Walmart house brand (Super Tech) does have a seal under the cap. If it doesn't, return it and get your money back. Do that for any brand actually. What that means is that someone may have used the DEF and filled the container with water and returned it to the store for a refund. It happens.

[BigBobIa]

Does anybody use truck stop DEF? I have because it is easier, just insert nozzle and pull handle, and cheaper and I assumed DEF is DEF. open to being convinced not too.

Only 4500 miles on ram 2500 and just filled 2nd time today.

[alrothel]

Thats what I used to get for mileage. I had a 2019 F250 Ford with the 6.7 turbo diesel and got about 5000 miles to a tank full. That's about 1000 miles to a gallon of DEF. Now I have a 2020 F-350 with the same motor but get about 1000 to a tank. That like 200 miles to a gallon. The dealer just says that if I tow an RV or anything of weight that's what you get. Now my new RV is a little heavier but that much of a difference?
Is anyone getting that kind of mileage when towing using DEF. I also understand DEF is DEF and paying twice as much for Blue DEF just does not seem justified.

[Ccrew]

Originally Posted by alrothel

Now my new RV is a little heavier but that much of a difference?
Is anyone getting that kind of mileage when towing using DEF. I also understand DEF is DEF and paying twice as much for Blue DEF just does not seem justified.

I have a 2019 3500 Duramax. It lives to tow a trailer, so it's rarely detached, we travel extensively. I questioned my DEF usage at my first service where I had used 43 gallons in 8k miles. Dealer found it "questionable" and escalated to GM. GM considered it normal. Now have almost 40k on the truck, and generally speaking it's a tank of DEF (7 gal) every 4 tanks of fuel, which for us is 12-1500 miles. That's a comparison if it helps. I run the Wal-Mart DEF with never an issue.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Ccrew

I have a 2019 3500 Duramax. It lives to tow a trailer, so it's rarely detached, we travel extensively. I questioned my DEF usage at my first service where I had used 43 gallons in 8k miles. Dealer found it "questionable" and escalated to GM. GM considered it normal. Now have almost 40k on the truck, and generally speaking it's a tank of DEF (7 gal) every 4 tanks of fuel, which for us is 12-1500 miles. That's a comparison if it helps. I run the Wal-Mart DEF with never an issue.

Using 43 gallons in 8k miles, you've gotta problem, not sure it could leak that much that fast.
My '13 used a 2.5 gallon jug about every 3500 miles, towing didn't seem to increase usage, but it was our daily driver & was towing approximately 50%+ of the time.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by alrothel

Thats what I used to get for mileage. I had a 2019 F250 Ford with the 6.7 turbo diesel and got about 5000 miles to a tank full. That's about 1000 miles to a gallon of DEF. Now I have a 2020 F-350 with the same motor but get about 1000 to a tank. That like 200 miles to a gallon. The dealer just says that if I tow an RV or anything of weight that's what you get. Now my new RV is a little heavier but that much of a difference?
Is anyone getting that kind of mileage when towing using DEF. I also understand DEF is DEF and paying twice as much for Blue DEF just does not seem justified.

I wonder if your DEF system is going into regen too often? There may be an issue with the catalytic converter/filter being blocked, causing the O2 sensors to believe it's full and needs regen ???? I haven't heard of anyone using that much DEF unless there's a problem. My "older F250" (2015) uses about 1 gallon per 1500 miles and when towing, the exhaust system gets hotter than when driving solo, so it doesn't seem to go into regen as often, meaning less DEF use when towing. At least that's what I've seen on my truck...

I think I'd find another dealership and let their "diesel experts" do a system check. I don't believe you should be using that much DEF...

[bobbecky]

The DPF system (diesel particulate filter) is what goes into REGEN. The DEF system continuously injects the fluid into the converter depending on the NOX sensors, one ahead of the converter and one after the converter, which tells the computer how much DEF fluid to inject to control the NOX level coming out of the exhaust. These are two separate systems. It is very possible the sensors are not working properly. We had one totally fail last year, and they replaced both of them, then had to calibrate them. It does seem like we are using less DEF now since that repair was done.

[JDDilly]

I have a 2018 RAM 3500 and always fill at truck stops. It is easy when the DEF is at a 1/4 tank and I need fuel, one stop for both. I have 35000 mikes on this truck and had 160000 on my past 2500, never a problem.

[BigBobIa]

Can DEF freeze? Gauge read quarter tank. Added 4+ gallons and gauge did not move driving 5 miles home. High around +10°f today. (-11° this morning)

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by BigBobIa

Can DEF freeze? Gauge read quarter tank. Added 4+ gallons and gauge did not move driving 5 miles home. High around +10°f today. (-11° this morning)

Yes, DEF will freeze. There is a thermostatically controlled DEF heater right next to the DEF pump (in the DEF tank). When you start the truck, if it's cold enough, the DEF heater turns on and defrosts the DEF near the pump. If the truck goes into a regeneration, the heater will turn on and stay on to keep the pump supplied with "liquid DEF".

I'm not sure what kind of fluid level system RAM uses. Ford uses a device with 4 rods of varying lengths, as the DEF rises, the rods sense the level. It's "sort of like the sensors in the black tank"... Hopefully, more accurate... Mine has been OK for 6 years now with no problems.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by BigBobIa

Can DEF freeze? Gauge read quarter tank. Added 4+ gallons and gauge did not move driving 5 miles home. High around +10°f today. (-11° this morning)

Your truck is equipped with a DEF tank heater. If the tank heater fails you will get a code (check engine light). The one in my Ford failed a couple of years ago but Ford was aware they had a problem and they covered it.