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Dreaded DEF system issue... you're screwed in xxx miles

My 2019 3500 was giving me egr problems at 60,000km. Couldn't get the parts for a week so couple times a day it would go to limp mode and all I did was hook up my phone app and clear the codes and continue driving
 
MikeXM said:
My gauge has been indicating just below 1/4 full since early December (It ran correctly until the freezing temperatures). Back then I added 2.5G to see if it would move. It did not. Even if it was about 3/4 full. Oh well.

Then, yesterday, as for the first time it was above freezing temperature, I added another 2.5G. It almost took all of it, save for a few once. So, since it froze to 1/4, it still burned some DEF.
I hoped the warmer temperature and the new liquid would trigger it back to normal. But no. I have run about 30 minutes since. Still indicating a 1/4 full tank.

Doesn't really stress me out. When it get really warmer and if it still doesn't move, I'll have it checked.
Click to expand...

I went to the dealer today. They said there is a TSB for the DEF tank (crystals forming) but that wasn't my problem. It was just frozen.
Not sure how it could have stayed frozen for so long as we had many days over 32F/0C since the problem appeared. But it looks like it didn't thaw enough to get it working again.
Anyway.... no charge, so that's that.
 
I had the DEF low light on and put 2.5 gallons in the morning drove it around and then later in the day.....


I have 6222 miles on my truck when I got the dreaded Service DEF system a couple days ago. There was no CEL so I thought it would go away at some point - hoping for a glitch in the matrix - then 67 miles later I got the 150 miles to go before you are screwed. I was in the middle of a trip and thought maybe clearing the CEL light and codes would buy me some time to complete my mission - but nope. had to turn around and take a different truck. Dropped it off at the dealer today - hopefully parts are available.

I am all in if anyone figures out how to change the programming on this DEF derate BS.

P.S. I would still never own a Powerstroke or Duramax. :p
 

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They are all federally mandated to de rate, im sure a tuner could cause the de rate to disapear without turning off the emissions systems
 
Learning here, my truck has 2500 miles and when I use it I take it to northern WI. Been there 4 times now with temps below 0 a couple times and no issues after being parked outside for days at a time. I assumed the truck had a tank heater like a semi does. Is there no way to thaw it out besides sitting inside for hours?
 
myersd1 said:
Learning here, my truck has 2500 miles and when I use it I take it to northern WI. Been there 4 times now with temps below 0 a couple times and no issues after being parked outside for days at a time. I assumed the truck had a tank heater like a semi does. Is there no way to thaw it out besides sitting inside for hours?
Click to expand...
There is a heater in the tank -
 
myersd1 said:
Learning here, my truck has 2500 miles and when I use it I take it to northern WI. Been there 4 times now with temps below 0 a couple times and no issues after being parked outside for days at a time. I assumed the truck had a tank heater like a semi does. Is there no way to thaw it out besides sitting inside for hours?
Click to expand...
It does have a heater but its only on when the truck is running, you wont have an issue at -0 its an issue when you get to -35/-40 like we get here
 
Would it be possible to stick a heating pad on the DEF tank to keep it from freezing?

Something like this, but probably not as hot.

heating pad
 
There used to be a documentary about semi truck drivers in Alaska driving at temps below -30F. They showed the trucks and their modifications.
First, the trucks used, Peterbilt or something are long wheelbase versions, I would guess it makes them more stable under slippery conditions.
The engine bay was insulated to keep the heat in the engine. Coolant pipes were wrapped with insulation and Diesel fuel lines were wrapped too.
Other things were modified to handle the low temperatures.
The owner made it clear that at these low temps a stock truck needs to be modified to work well.
That might apply to our trucks too, I think. At some point you can not just rely on the manufacturer and modify things on your own.
Maybe insulating the def tank and adding a heater to the outside could be a decent idea. There are heating blankets for batteries even recommended by ram, maybe these could work?
Or just let the truck run 24/7 LOL.
Another documentary about Siberia showed truck drivers making a fire below the oil pan before starting up the Diesel engine.
 
fuchsroehre said:
There used to be a documentary about semi truck drivers in Alaska driving at temps below -30F. They showed the trucks and their modifications.
First, the trucks used, Peterbilt or something are long wheelbase versions, I would guess it makes them more stable under slippery conditions.
The engine bay was insulated to keep the heat in the engine. Coolant pipes were wrapped with insulation and Diesel fuel lines were wrapped too.
Other things were modified to handle the low temperatures.
The owner made it clear that at these low temps a stock truck needs to be modified to work well.
That might apply to our trucks too, I think. At some point you can not just rely on the manufacturer and modify things on your own.
Maybe insulating the def tank and adding a heater to the outside could be a decent idea. There are heating blankets for batteries even recommended by ram, maybe these could work?
Or just let the truck run 24/7 LOL.
Another documentary about Siberia showed truck drivers making a fire below the oil pan before starting up the Diesel engine.
Click to expand...
I have done lots of those mods for trucks up north but you know what all those trucks have in common? They are all pre emissions or deleted…. The idea of insulating the tank is not going to be easy the way the tank sits in the crossmember but a warming pad glued to the side may work…. If thry had a antifreeze for DEF it would be great
 
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