Watch your DEF closely.

[boowho]

Today I was running down I-17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Suddenly lost almost ALL power. Thought is might be the turbo since I was showing no boost and going up a pretty good grade.

4+ hours & 600+ dollars later, a road service mechanic determined that the DEF tank was empty. The gauge showed 2 full green bars, but was in fact bone dry.

Just a warning that may be good info for all to know. Apparently, not all those gauges are accurate.

I should get reimbursed for the $$$ thru my insurance, hopefully

Plus, I finally got that damn hatch in the rear opened up; the result of the mech needing access to trouble shooting my turbo.

Boowho??

[davel1971]

How is insurance responsible for a mechanical failure? This should be a warranty issue if still covered, otherwise it's on you.

[gilwilliams101]

DEF fluid turns into this white crusty substance as it evaporates. Guess what the inside of your DEF tank looks like. You guessed it-one hell of a mess. It's no wonder the DEF tank gauges are so inaccurate. I ALWAYS have a 2.5 gallon jug in my truck at all times in case I run out on the road. If you ever have a loss of power in a DEF system truck, add DEF 1st and see what happens. This coming from a service director for 2 Dodge dealerships. I see it every day................My customers say DEF is nasty and they will not carry it in their truck-I tell them I'll see them in 3-4 months to do the same thing all over again...................


IMO-the DEF system is far better than the re-gen crap we used to deal with AS LONG AS YOU KEEP DEF IN THE TANK! For me it's a no brainer and I don't have to keep a re-gen schedule/log as to when I did it and when I need to do it again.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by davel1971

How is insurance responsible for a mechanical failure? This should be a warranty issue if still covered, otherwise it's on you.

Gee, Dave...... Never heard of Road Service Insurance? It's available from Good Sams and most other motor vehicle insurance companies. I've carried it on my cars all my life.

Thanks for your positive commentary, though.

Boowho??

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by boowho

Gee, Dave...... Never heard of Road Service Insurance? It's available from Good Sams and most other motor vehicle insurance companies. I've carried it on my cars all my life.

Thanks for your positive commentary, though.

Boowho??

ah, you should have said that to begin with. Makes sense now. It's just that what people think their automotive insurance policies should cover always amazes me. Doesn't apply here.

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by boowho

Gee, Dave...... Never heard of Road Service Insurance? It's available from Good Sams and most other motor vehicle insurance companies. I've carried it on my cars all my life.

Thanks for your positive commentary, though.

Boowho??

You beat me to it. Dang it. I'm sure you will get most of it back.
I leave in the morning and need fuel so I'll fill mine up. I guess I better start keeping track of when I add DEF. I always depend on the gage.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by gilwilliams101

DEF fluid turns into this white crusty substance as it evaporates. Guess what the inside of your DEF tank looks like. You guessed it-one hell of a mess. It's no wonder the DEF tank gauges are so inaccurate. I ALWAYS have a 2.5 gallon jug in my truck at all times in case I run out on the road. If you ever have a loss of power in a DEF system truck, add DEF 1st and see what happens. This coming from a service director for 2 Dodge dealerships. I see it every day................My customers say DEF is nasty and they will not carry it in their truck-I tell them I'll see them in 3-4 months to do the same thing all over again...................


IMO-the DEF system is far better than the re-gen crap we used to deal with AS LONG AS YOU KEEP DEF IN THE TANK! For me it's a no brainer and I don't have to keep a re-gen schedule/log as to when I did it and when I need to do it again.

Further reinforcement to the point of my original post. Be wary of running out of DEF.

Thank you for your (really) positive commentary. Excellent info from someone who should know.

Boowho??

[jcowles3]

Looks like keep it full so as to not goober up the gauge... I need to add def asap! Where do you stay in phoenix FYI as we live here?


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[15berkxl]

My unit has a gauge on the DEF tank as well as the dash. Both appear to be electronic since key must be on to move so does one feed the other.


Wayne

[tmmar]

The same thing happened to Superchief. He ran out of DEF even though his gauge showed full. I think he was still under FL warranty at the time.

[I-RV]

I keep a 2 1/2 gallon DEF in the most aft passenger side compartment. Each time that I get diesel, I fill it. Then when I get to my campground, I fill the DEF at my leisure. The container method also helps getting around the DEF tank being on the wrong side. Works for me.
Hank -

[clarinetone]

Excuse my ignorance. What is DEF?

[conceptumator]

Guess my OCD might pay off. Most places that we spend a few days in involve a trip to the local Walmart for sodas, milk, etc, so if the light was down a bar I pick up DEF and add it before we pull out. It's about $9 for 2.5 gallons there (store brand). Call me paranoid. Good to know those guages can be off though. Thanks for posting that.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by clarinetone

Excuse my ignorance. What is DEF?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid. It is used by all of the newer Diesel engines for cleaner emissions.

Jason

[Dennise]

Originally Posted by I-RV

I keep a 2 1/2 gallon DEF in the most aft passenger side compartment. Each time that I get diesel, I fill it. Then when I get to my campground, I fill the DEF at my leisure. The container method also helps getting around the DEF tank being on the wrong side. Works for me.
Hank -

But how do you know when it's full ???

My 2015 coachman Prism 2150LE has no gauge and my DEF tank and fill tubes are opaque. I don't want to run the risk of a 'blind' top-up and have the fluid come screaming up the fill tube then splashing the corrosive fluid all over the engine compartment.

Some say not to worry and just add fluid when low/empty warnings happen. Sure. Risking limited engine starts, 5 MPH maximum speed or even shut-down while giving unreliable and hard to access indication of DEF level is just plain stupid. Shame on you MBenz

I'm considering drilling a hole in my DEF tank and using some kind of 'dip-stick' to check the DEF level. Any ideas?

[clarinetone]

Thanks I would have never known that because I know nothing about diesels. I've always driven gas jobs.

[JLeising]

Originally Posted by JTN8

Diesel Exhaust Fluid. It is used by all of the newer Diesel engines for cleaner emissions. Jason

Except VW...

[j free]

My truck goes 5000 miles on 1 def tank so that my number for my oil changes and refill tank.

[JLeising]

Originally Posted by Dennise

But how do you know when it's full ???

My 2015 coachman Prism 2150LE has no gauge and my DEF tank and fill tubes are opaque. I don't want to run the risk of a 'blind' top-up and have the fluid come screaming up the fill tube then splashing the corrosive fluid all over the engine compartment.

Some say not to worry and just add fluid when low/empty warnings happen. Sure. Risking limited engine starts, 5 MPH maximum speed or even shut-down while giving unreliable and hard to access indication of DEF level is just plain stupid. Shame on you MBenz

I'm considering drilling a hole in my DEF tank and using some kind of 'dip-stick' to check the DEF level. Any ideas?

Our 2012 Solera uses about one gallon every 2000 miles. After oil change service, when the dealer should fill the DEF, I monitor mileage. After 3000 miles I add one gallon, then one gallon every 2000 miles until the next scheduled maintenance. Avoids both DEF warning lights and spills from overfill. I carry two single gallon jugs of DEF and a hose adaptor for the jugs with me.

[Springerdad]

Be careful,,,, DEF has a shelf life of about two years. If you keep topping your tank off you'll have old fluid in there. There's even a 'born on' date on the containers so youll know how fresh it is.