DPF with DEF or no DEF, reliability

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mitmaks, May 15, 2016.

  1. mitmaks

    mitmaks Road Train Member

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    Which truck is more reliable, one that has DEF system installed on it or without one?
    Of course it will cost me more to top off DEF all the time but is emissions system more reliable with DEF or without one?
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    International Maxxforce had no DEF until recently,and they were rated worst for reliability.

    Supposedly much improved since adding it, but I haven't heard reports from drivers, not that some aren't being sold, but no one is speaking well enough about them that I have noticed.

    Detroit with either seems good, as do some Volvo, and the others are better with DEF but also hit or miss.

    All have instances of issues that I have heard about.
     
  4. mitmaks

    mitmaks Road Train Member

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    So are later years with DEF generally considered to be better as far as reliability?
     
  5. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Seems like every year there are less complaints about def/dpf system malfunctions ... maybe the engine makers have it figured out? Time will tell, but I am not very optimistic of the engines of today ever being regarded as the engines of early 2000s, the ones before EGR came around, as bulletproof and will run forever. I think the only way forward is planned obsolence.
     
  6. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    That is the consensus. There are exceptions, and happening to get a bad one of any make would be very costly if only considering downtime.
     
  7. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    My 2013 DD15 w/ DPF and DEF has been trouble free. About 320,000 miles on it now.
    I did replace the DPF filter at 8,000 hours but that was expected as they are only designed to last around 9,000 hours on highway and we sit in line-ups a lot. Cost $2,800 all in.
     
  8. T800H

    T800H Medium Load Member

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    if for any unknown reason I have to buy a truck and it came with any of that crap, I would reap the engine with all the bull #### they are adding to it just to make a few people richer and install an older engine or probably just set it on fire and watch how it all goes all to hell.
     
  9. ExOTR

    ExOTR Windshield Chipper Extraordinaire

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    DEF has its own issues, more than I see with dpf. I work part time in a shop and I'm the gopher going after dozers and sensors all the time. DPF has issues mainly with the Cummins engines(we don't work on cats though) as the system has to be shop calibrated when you replace/clean the filter. It's just annoying to spend 3hrs changing out the filters, then dropping it off at Cummins to wait 2 days for them to do a 30min calibration. :-/
     
  10. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    Why not just buy a Pre Emission truck without all that crap and be done with it?

    I wouldn't buy a truck with all that crap in the first place.
     
  11. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Good Plan... Run with it... ;-)
     
    CJndaTruck Thanks this.
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