Doublegranch
Mountain Region Director-Retired
DEF for diesel engines:
Thought I would share some information on DEF as this will be my first experience with it when my new 2016 Ram arrives.
In asking questions on how it works etc the service Mgr and owner of the dealer stated that DEF has a shelf life and must be kept cool....not cold just cool under 86*.
That information was also printed on the Mopar DEF bottle I reviewed.
For HOC members living or traveling in warmer climates, you do not want to keep extra bottles of DEF in the back of your truck exposed to the warm sun or heat for long periods of time.
Heat will cause the DEF to become ineffective and spoil within 30 days. As a test they conducted, they poured a little DEF on the back concrete drive, out of the sun, and it turned to white powder. This will mess up your DEF injector. Should this happen, the cleaning method is to use straight water in your DEF Tank and it will clean the DEF System.
Also noted was the recent visit by the Ram Factory Rep who stated if you run out of DEF you may put water into the DEF Tank to get you to your next DEF supply. You are not to run straight water for long periods of time as it will corrode your system. But in an emergency and short periods, water will get you to your next stop.
I also told them about the posting of I think was a Ford owner puting DEF in the Diesel fuel tank and costing him like $7,000. If this happens on the new Ram's it is only a $700 expense. They drain the tank, change out the water separator filter and you are back on the road. DEF will crystallize the water separator filter like a rock in the new Ram and while DEF will not get into the engine it will shut you down.
Finally I was told unless I am on a long trip do not keep my DEF tank full...Keep it around 1/2 full as when you replenish DEF with new, it will also keep the old DEF active and not spoil. It can heat up and spoil just sitting inside the tank if in the truck over a 30 day period at above 86*. Just thought I would pass this along...I am sure there will be lots of posts and other opinions. Just understand these are not my words, they came from the Dealer and Ram Factory Rep.
Thought I would share some information on DEF as this will be my first experience with it when my new 2016 Ram arrives.
In asking questions on how it works etc the service Mgr and owner of the dealer stated that DEF has a shelf life and must be kept cool....not cold just cool under 86*.
That information was also printed on the Mopar DEF bottle I reviewed.
For HOC members living or traveling in warmer climates, you do not want to keep extra bottles of DEF in the back of your truck exposed to the warm sun or heat for long periods of time.
Heat will cause the DEF to become ineffective and spoil within 30 days. As a test they conducted, they poured a little DEF on the back concrete drive, out of the sun, and it turned to white powder. This will mess up your DEF injector. Should this happen, the cleaning method is to use straight water in your DEF Tank and it will clean the DEF System.
Also noted was the recent visit by the Ram Factory Rep who stated if you run out of DEF you may put water into the DEF Tank to get you to your next DEF supply. You are not to run straight water for long periods of time as it will corrode your system. But in an emergency and short periods, water will get you to your next stop.
I also told them about the posting of I think was a Ford owner puting DEF in the Diesel fuel tank and costing him like $7,000. If this happens on the new Ram's it is only a $700 expense. They drain the tank, change out the water separator filter and you are back on the road. DEF will crystallize the water separator filter like a rock in the new Ram and while DEF will not get into the engine it will shut you down.
Finally I was told unless I am on a long trip do not keep my DEF tank full...Keep it around 1/2 full as when you replenish DEF with new, it will also keep the old DEF active and not spoil. It can heat up and spoil just sitting inside the tank if in the truck over a 30 day period at above 86*. Just thought I would pass this along...I am sure there will be lots of posts and other opinions. Just understand these are not my words, they came from the Dealer and Ram Factory Rep.