Kingsfisherman
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2022
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 3
Hello,
I purchased my 2020 Ram 3500 DRW w/6.7 Cummins in Aug. in Yuma Az. to haul a 36' 5th wheel back to Alaska, which I did.
The truck handled the trip flawlessly and I was very impressed with this truck then but now... here in Alaska it's winter time and I have discovered a problem with this truck, apparently the DEF system doesn't do well in cold climates.
Last week my wife was driving the truck and the DEF system issue message appeared and she immediately took it to the dealership where we learned that either we over filled the tank and it set off the trouble message or the DEF tank froze and caused the problem. I don't believe I have over filled the tank but it could have happened, I believe it's more likely that the tank froze while being parked outside.
I have an engine block heater and use it when I have to park the truck outside but apparently that won't help.
Anyways do we now have a truck the the DEF system is susceptible to problems in the cold weather?
I've been reading in a bunch of different forums about this system and it appears that problems with it are hit and miss. As I understand it, it designed so that when it freezes the internal heater thaws it enough to have some available when it's needed but that may or may not happen that way and causes a wide variety of problems ie: pump failure, sensor failure, brief ECU warnings of going in to limp mode etc. Also crystallization can occur and cause problems. Here I thought I was buying the last truck I'll ever need and now I'm having second thought's
There must be ways around this problem.
TIA for any help.
Tony F.
I purchased my 2020 Ram 3500 DRW w/6.7 Cummins in Aug. in Yuma Az. to haul a 36' 5th wheel back to Alaska, which I did.
The truck handled the trip flawlessly and I was very impressed with this truck then but now... here in Alaska it's winter time and I have discovered a problem with this truck, apparently the DEF system doesn't do well in cold climates.
Last week my wife was driving the truck and the DEF system issue message appeared and she immediately took it to the dealership where we learned that either we over filled the tank and it set off the trouble message or the DEF tank froze and caused the problem. I don't believe I have over filled the tank but it could have happened, I believe it's more likely that the tank froze while being parked outside.
I have an engine block heater and use it when I have to park the truck outside but apparently that won't help.
Anyways do we now have a truck the the DEF system is susceptible to problems in the cold weather?
I've been reading in a bunch of different forums about this system and it appears that problems with it are hit and miss. As I understand it, it designed so that when it freezes the internal heater thaws it enough to have some available when it's needed but that may or may not happen that way and causes a wide variety of problems ie: pump failure, sensor failure, brief ECU warnings of going in to limp mode etc. Also crystallization can occur and cause problems. Here I thought I was buying the last truck I'll ever need and now I'm having second thought's
There must be ways around this problem.
TIA for any help.
Tony F.