DEF Reliability

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by tinytim, Apr 27, 2014.

  1. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Are all the DEF systems prone to constant problems or are some actually reliable.

    I drive a dd13 with a little over 400k on it and the wiring harness has been replaced twice. Pump once, an inline heater once and a number of sensor issues.

    I guess what I'm asking is if the newer trucks with DEF are all unreliable. Thinking of buying a truck but not sure if newer is better.
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I drive a dd15, and that's all we are getting now, they are leased, and that's all that company will buy, except some daycabs with the dd13.

    Not much trouble with the DEF, but we are filled mostly by the shop at the yard with a bulk supply.

    There are some other problems, but not that many, the dpf takes less to work, you can run it right and literally not have to routinely do a parked regen, the one I have will do it rolling down the road even if the light is flashing, and it takes less than 10 minutes either way. Least amount of exhaust odor of any vehicle I have driven with a diesel engine, I now notice every one I get next to that is older from the smell.

    I have a 2013 with almost 160k miles on it, 3rd oil and filter change and I've never added oil yet, it shows very little oil usage.
     
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  4. russtrucker

    russtrucker Road Train Member

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    It's better than 07 engines. DEF lowers exhaust temp and makes stack remain chrome.
     
  5. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    I think there is some confusion between DPF and DEF going on here. DEF has nothing to do with regens or exhaust and stack temps. That is the DPF. DEF just shoots panther piss in the exhaust stream to reduce NOx. Now, it is true, that since DEF came on board, the OEM's have been able to reduce the amount of EGR to the engine, that has had a reduction in soot levels in the exhaust and resulted in fewer regens by the DPF's.
     
  6. russtrucker

    russtrucker Road Train Member

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    That's what i heard from rumors. DEF dd15 became better than 07 dd15. Detroit is now the best scr engines out there. screw carb and epa.
     
  7. sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    DEF made a lot of issues much better! But it has some issues that can happen, biggest one is growing crystals. Keeping the DEF tank as near full at all times prevents this. As it dries it forms a white crystal. A half full tank , the fluid may splash up and hit the top of the tank once or twice a day , then dry. A full tank the top of the tank will be splashed nonstop . So it never dries. Before topping off DEF , wipe the end of the handle down. Keep any crystal on it out of your tank. My truck has been trouble free so far at 429,000 miles.
    Some of ours have been having issues , and talking to them , they have not been keeping the DEF full. As I talk to them they are going to start topping off each time they fuel. Time will tell if it's a cure?
     
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  8. kat man

    kat man Light Load Member

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    I drive a 03, but have seen the white crystal on the shop floor.
     
  9. sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    Those crystals are stopping up the plumbing. Pump is covered with them at the truck stop. So it clings long to stay there and dry.
     
  10. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    What are you running and are all your trucks the same?
     
  11. Down under trucker

    Down under trucker Light Load Member

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    One problem that we found on the def trucks is if you don't change the inline air filter that goes to the dosing pump it can block and create a vacuum in the dosing pump, and the adblue will crystalize in the pump and stuff it.
    Other than that and a few sensor issues are the only problems we have found.
     
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