DEF in cold weather

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hikernbackpacker

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Never owned an EcoDiesel before, thinking about changing trucks and one of the candidates has the EcoDiesel on it. Researching DEF have found it freezes at around 12 degrees and below if the truck is sitting outside, which mine would, so know will need to not have a full tank of DEF when temps dip that low. Question is, when temps dip that low and below, is there some sort of heater or heat source that thaws the DEF so the truck will run and I can drive it?
 

crash68

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Question is, when temps dip that low and below, is there some sort of heater or heat source that thaws the DEF so the truck will run and I can drive it?
As mentioned above there is heaters in the DEF tank and on the DEF lines themselves. There is also programming that bypass the DEF usage when the ambient temps go below certain thresholds. Very few if any problems related to extreme cold weather reported about the EcoDiesel other than caveat of diesel fuel gelling. Any diesel vehicle is subject to fuel gelling by additives will keep that from happening.
Your more likely to have problems with the four corner air suspension system on these trucks than you will the DEF system.
 

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DEF does not freeze quite like water
From what i recall, it turns to more like a slush or Gel
There is always enough liquid to spray into the exhaust system to keep everything working correctly.
The DEF tank does have a heater lines running through it

Do not keep your storage or DEF tank FULL in the winter
DEF freezes at 11°F

If DEF freezes in the vehicle, do not put any additives in the tank to help it melt. The fluid needs to remain pure for it to work correctly. The engine will start without a problem, and the tank has a heating element that can quickly thaw the DEF. Don't worry; on-spec DEF is specifically formulated to allow the fluid to thaw at the proper concentration to keep your rig operating smoothly.

Peak Blue DEF manufactured Date is coded, similar to how car manufacturers stamp into engine blocks

 

Dinky

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They tell you to only fill the def tank half full in extreme cold area weather areas. If the tank is full and heater fails it will split the tank. I've read about a number of vehicles Chevy, Ford, Ram, and GMC all having issues at some point. When the heater goes out its out.
 
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hikernbackpacker

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Thanks everyone for all the informative replies. Helps me to understand things better so I can make a more informed decision as I consider options.
 

zrock

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They tell you to only fill the def tank half full in extreme cold area weather areas. If the tank is full and heater fails it will split the tank. I've read about a number of vehicles Chevy, Ford, Ram, and GMC all having issues at some point. When the heater goes out its out.
Working at a truck shop i have yet to see it get cold enough to freeze it hard enough to split the tank, we see -30 in the winter. Not saying it may not happen but it must have to be extremely cold and the truck would have to be shut down for extended times for it to freeze to that extent.

Honestly stay away from def systems...
 

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Moving to Canada seems more and more attractive each day.
We have def and exhaust filters here too. Probably 75% or better of our equipment down time for the last 5 years or better have been emissions related problems. Once you know all the little tricks you can keep them running, but it's not as easy as it used to be.
 
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hikernbackpacker

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Working at a truck shop i have yet to see it get cold enough to freeze it hard enough to split the tank, we see -30 in the winter. Not saying it may not happen but it must have to be extremely cold and the truck would have to be shut down for extended times for it to freeze to that extent.

Honestly stay away from def systems...
Thanks for the information and advice. Obviously I'm not looking specifically to have a def system, it is now just a part of having a diesel engine. At the moment the only reason I'm even thinking of a diesel equipped Ram is that the dealership I use has a number of new 2022 Big Horn's discounted pretty good to help make way for incoming 2023 units.

I currently have a 2018 Ram standard, bottom of the line model, with a 5.7L V8 Hemi that just hit 16,000 miles. It doesn't have some of the newer features like remote start, heated seats, big screen in the dash type stuff. I typically hang onto my vehicle until at least 100,000 miles so this is an usual thing for me to be considering. Just was thinking of upgrading to have some of the newer advantages for the present.

Keeping my eye on the Ram Rev as obviously it has been determined EV is the future and I am sure either my current Ram or the upgrade replacement will likely be the last ICE vehicle I could have before EV becomes the only option. With the hiking and backpacking I do in remote areas, I just don't know if a first generation EV vehicle will be wise to go with so am exploring my options and learning new stuff along the way.
 

Dinky

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Working at a truck shop i have yet to see it get cold enough to freeze it hard enough to split the tank, we see -30 in the winter. Not saying it may not happen but it must have to be extremely cold and the truck would have to be shut down for extended times for it to freeze to that extent.

Honestly stay away from def systems...

I've seen quite a few on Facebook group. Where I am at we typically don't see weather below 20degs and it's only for a week. Few years ago my Chevy 3500 heater went out. It was the first cold snap of the year and it put my truck into limp mode. Tank was in stock then before the messed up supply chain. It will be hard for a lot of people to stay away from def systems as some need deisel trucks to tow hopefully they switch to a different system besides DEF.
 

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I live in Colorado Springs and I've had my ED for 16 months (and two winters now) with no issues. Our winters are mostly below freezing at night, with the rare occasion of below zero.
Haven't had any DEF issue with the cold. I did have a hard start one morning when the wind chill was -30 overnight. I hooked the block heater up for an hour and the truck started just fine, though. That's just diesel in general that will have problems at those temps. I bought some fuel additive for the next time it gets that cold.
 
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hikernbackpacker

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I've seen quite a few on Facebook group. Where I am at we typically don't see weather below 20degs and it's only for a week. Few years ago my Chevy 3500 heater went out. It was the first cold snap of the year and it put my truck into limp mode. Tank was in stock then before the messed up supply chain. It will be hard for a lot of people to stay away from def systems as some need deisel trucks to tow hopefully they switch to a different system besides DEF.
In reading your message it sounds like when the heating element in the tank goes out the tank itself needs to be replaced, is that correct? Just trying to understand and learn is why I am asking.
 

Dinky

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In reading your message it sounds like when the heating element in the tank goes out the tank itself needs to be replaced, is that correct? Just trying to understand and learn is why I am asking.

Yep they made the def system so messed up If it breaks it cost you a ton of money. I think the design it that way.
 
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hikernbackpacker

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Yep they made the def system so messed up If it breaks it cost you a ton of money. I think the design it that way.
Thanks for the information, certainly an item to keep in mind as I explore the options.
 

Dinky

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Thanks for the information, certainly an item to keep in mind as I explore the options.
If we're to buy another 1500 it would be the eco diesel. I wouldn't let the DEF system stop me. Warranty will cover it my 2016 chevy had 1 issues 2 years ago and this year a sensor went out so my overall experience hasn't been super horrible.
 
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hikernbackpacker

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If we're to buy another 1500 it would be the eco diesel. I wouldn't let the DEF system stop me. Warranty will cover it my 2016 chevy had 1 issues 2 years ago and this year a sensor went out so my overall experience hasn't been super horrible.
Thanks for the encouragement and advice, not to worry as nothing said about the DEF system will prevent me with going with an eco diesel if I do decide to trade my current Ram 1500 in. For the current 1500 and the Jeep I had before that, I purchased one of those extra warranties when I bought the vehicle and after having to use it a few times for the Jeep found it to be worth the money. So I would certainly buy one of those extended warranties to help cover such expenses in the future.
 

Dinky

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Thanks for the encouragement and advice, not to worry as nothing said about the DEF system will prevent me with going with an eco diesel if I do decide to trade my current Ram 1500 in. For the current 1500 and the Jeep I had before that, I purchased one of those extra warranties when I bought the vehicle and after having to use it a few times for the Jeep found it to be worth the money. So I would certainly buy one of those extended warranties to help cover such expenses in the future.
If it is 3rd party make sure it covers DEF system. If you're buying new you be fine.
 
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