Def system cleaning additive

[ProBuilder]

Any of you rascals used the DEF system additives to clean/ prevent crystallization on the DEF injectors?

I Just bought a new truck, and wanna start it early in the life of the truck if it’s worth it.

 

[4FishLimit]

I used a bottle of the Rislone DEF cleaner on my Ecodiesel Grand Cherokee earlier this year.

CEL popped on the morning we were starting to pack up for a trip. Code had to do with the DEF injector not dosing properly, pulled the injector and sure enough it was crusted over. I clean the injector each oil change as a maintenance item and was only a few thousand miles since the last service. I figured I got a bad batch of DEF from the local truck stop.

After cleaning the code persisted and I noted that I could not hear the injector dosing.

Running out of time I spent the $20 for the cleaner, dumped it in and by the time I made the 10 minute drive home from the parts store I could slowly hear the injector starting to dose. By the time we made it to the freeway it was functioning normally and the light has stayed off.

Rislone makes 2 DEF additives, 1 that is supposed to be used regularly and 1 that is a heavier duty type cleaner, which is what I used.

I generally buy my DEF at the pump vs. boxed and over the past 5 years of diesel ownership that’s the only time I’ve had a problem with it between 2 different vehicles.

 

[ProBuilder]

I used a bottle of the Rislone DEF cleaner on my Ecodiesel Grand Cherokee earlier this year.

CEL popped on the morning we were starting to pack up for a trip. Code had to do with the DEF injector not dosing properly, pulled the injector and sure enough it was crusted over. I clean the injector each oil change as a maintenance item and was only a few thousand miles since the last service. I figured I got a bad batch of DEF from the local truck stop.

After cleaning the code persisted and I noted that I could not hear the injector dosing.

Running out of time I spent the $20 for the cleaner, dumped it in and by the time I made the 10 minute drive home from the parts store I could slowly hear the injector starting to dose. By the time we made it to the freeway it was functioning normally and the light has stayed off.

Rislone makes 2 DEF additives, 1 that is supposed to be used regularly and 1 that is a heavier duty type cleaner, which is what I used.

I generally buy my DEF at the pump vs. boxed and over the past 5 years of diesel ownership that’s the only time I’ve had a problem with it between 2 different vehicles.

That’s good to hear… I guess the one I looked at was for regular use… “Every 5000 miles.” Probably overkill, but I’ll try it as a preventative measure for now.

 

[ErikTheRed]

I just ordered a bottle of NuDEF additive the other day when I noticed some white crystal crust in the DEF tank filler neck. My truck is a 2024 with just a tick over 3400 miles and already the crystallization is happening. Hopefully the NuDEF will take care of it.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

You don’t need anything. I ran my 19 deleted for 2 years. Never drained the DEF tank when I reinstalled the exhaust I hooked it back up and its been running fine since. DEF cleaners are a scam

 

[ProBuilder]

You don’t need anything. I ran my 19 deleted for 2 years. Never drained the DEF tank when I reinstalled the exhaust I hooked it back up and its been running fine since. DEF cleaners are a scam

Seems like crystallized def is a common problem and is a regular topic in the forums. You’ve never had issues?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Seems like crystallized def is a common problem and is a regular topic in the forums. You’ve never had issues?

Nope only freezing issues.

 

[ErikTheRed]

Id say the additives are only a scam if they don't work as advertised. Because obviously, the problems that these additives are marketed to address are very real-- crystallization and freezing.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Id say the additives are only a scam if they don't work as advertised. Because obviously, the problems that these additives are marketed to address are very real-- crystallization and freezing.

They do not prevent freezing

 

[ErikTheRed]

Maybe they dont prevent freezing, but they CLAIM to. That's why I said the additives are only a scam if they dont actually do in the real world what they claim to do on the label. On the NuDEF bottle, the first claim is "prevents crystallization and freezing."

 

[56ram2500]

Seems like crystallized def is a common problem and is a regular topic in the forums. You’ve never had issues?

In almost 3 years of owing my 2022 I have yet to have crystalizing problems, all but one jug of DEF has been cheap Wally world DEF...

 

[ErikTheRed]

Welp, as for the crystallization issue, I can pop the cap of my DEF filler and see crystals right there in the filler neck, plain as day. So for me, if it's something I can see and verify with my own two eyeballs, it's a real thing and I can extrapolate from that obvious evidence whats happening further down the line where it really matters.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Welp, as for the crystallization issue, I can pop the cap of my DEF filler and see crystals right there in the filler neck, plain as day. So for me, if it's something I can see and verify with my own two eyeballs, it's a real thing and I can extrapolate from that obvious evidence whats happening further down the line where it really matters.

Distilled water dissolves them but crystals only form where DEF has dried so unless your tank is empty the tank wont have anything to clean.

 

[ProBuilder]

In almost 3 years of owing my 2022 I have yet to have crystalizing problems, all but one jug of DEF has been cheap Wally world DEF...

That’s good info. Any Def system error warnings for other reasons?

I’m new to the all of the latest emissions bs, and I’m trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

 

[ProBuilder]

Distilled water dissolves them but crystals only form where DEF has dried so unless your tank is empty the tank wont have anything to clean.

Here is a potentially dumb question… how often do you refill… reading what you’ve said here it makes sense to keep the tank full, but logic tells me that I should fill up once the level gets low enough to accept a full jug…

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Here is a potentially dumb question… how often do you refill… reading what you’ve said here it makes sense to keep the tank full, but logic tells me that I should fill up once the level gets low enough to accept a full jug…

At 1/4 tank I throw a jug in it goes to 3/4 then the sloshing also keeps the crystals from forming too

 

[buzzuti]

Have been running diesels for a few years (still wet behind the ears maybe) and have been on this forum all that time.
Honestly, this is the first time I have seen a conversation around "concern for DEF crystallization".

You may see some crystals around the fill, esp if you have spilled any, totally normal, no reason for concern.

Try going and filling up at a truck stop in the truck lanes, the DEF pump is usually a train wreck, all crystalized.

I never run my DEF tank dry or even below 1/2 for that matter.
Most important, don't use crap DEF!

To @H3LZSN1P3R point, just keep it filled and all should be well in the universe.

If adding DEF additives to your system gives you piece of mind, rock n' roll!
But I am nowhere near convinced it adds any value whatsoever.
Seems a little like some snake oil to me.

(disclaimer, I do add fuel additives on every fill up though, hotshot everyday, but that is diff animal)

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Have been running diesels for a few years (still wet behind the ears maybe) and have been on this forum all that time.
Honestly, this is the first time I have seen a conversation around "concern for DEF crystallization".

You may see some crystals around the fill, esp if you have spilled any, totally normal, no reason for concern.

Try going and filling up at a truck stop in the truck lanes, the DEF pump is usually a train wreck, all crystalized.

I never run my DEF tank dry or even below 1/2 for that matter.
Most important, don't use crap DEF!

To @H3LZSN1P3R point, just keep it filled and all should be well in the universe.

If adding DEF additives to your system gives you piece of mind, rock n' roll!
But I am nowhere near convinced it adds any value whatsoever.
Seems a little like some snake oil to me.

(disclaimer, I do add fuel additives on every fill up though, hotshot everyday, but that is diff animal)

I run the cheapest DEF I can get

 

[ProBuilder]

At 1/4 tank I throw a jug in it goes to 3/4 then the sloshing also keeps the crystals from forming too

That’s exactly what I was thinking.

 

[ProBuilder]

Have been running diesels for a few years (still wet behind the ears maybe) and have been on this forum all that time.
Honestly, this is the first time I have seen a conversation around "concern for DEF crystallization".

You may see some crystals around the fill, esp if you have spilled any, totally normal, no reason for concern.

Try going and filling up at a truck stop in the truck lanes, the DEF pump is usually a train wreck, all crystalized.

I never run my DEF tank dry or even below 1/2 for that matter.
Most important, don't use crap DEF!

To @H3LZSN1P3R point, just keep it filled and all should be well in the universe.

If adding DEF additives to your system gives you piece of mind, rock n' roll!
But I am nowhere near convinced it adds any value whatsoever.
Seems a little like some snake oil to me.

(disclaimer, I do add fuel additives on every fill up though, hotshot everyday, but that is diff animal)

Most of what I’ve read is that the def injector crystallization occurs more frequently if you aren’t working the truck under moderate to heavy loads, and at higher speeds… I would imagine that running hot shot everyday means that work your truck sufficiently, where as a recreational hauler, like me, could expect to see these issues more often.