2013 with def issues

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Super M

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I have a 2013 Ram with 29,000 mikes on it, the 5 MPH max in the next 200 mikes def systems needs serviced see dealer message came on, took to local dealer and they are telling me my def is testing poor and that it has started to crystalize and now they are telling me the fix is to replace tank, pump, injector, the part the injector injects into, I have read about def shelf life, but can't seem to find anything about the life of it after the container is opened, this truck is not a daily driver and sometimes will sit for 2 weeks without moving, is it possible I have def going bad in my tank? I just added def about 4 days ago and it was a fresh jug I just bought, the last time I added before that was February. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance.
 

Rotzilla

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I cannot answer your question, however in comparison my 2013 has 20k on it and may sit for weeks at a time also. I have not experienced any crystallization yet. I did have the retard 200 mile warning, however it was diagnosed as a anomaly.

I recently did a 800 mile tow and burned through 3 gal of DEF.

Is your factory warranty going to cover the repairs?
 
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Super M

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Warranty is not going to cover it.
 

JRG18

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I have a 2013 Ram with 29,000 mikes on it, the 5 MPH max in the next 200 mikes def systems needs serviced see dealer message came on, took to local dealer and they are telling me my def is testing poor and that it has started to crystalize and now they are telling me the fix is to replace tank, pump, injector, the part the injector injects into, I have read about def shelf life, but can't seem to find anything about the life of it after the container is opened, this truck is not a daily driver and sometimes will sit for 2 weeks without moving, is it possible I have def going bad in my tank? I just added def about 4 days ago and it was a fresh jug I just bought, the last time I added before that was February. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Warranty is not going to cover it.

From the Owners Manual - Diesel Supplement:
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is considered a very stable product with a long shelf life. If DEF is kept in temperatures between 10° to 90°F (-12° to 32°C), it will last a minimum of one year.

From what you wrote, it sounds to me like you bought a jug of DEF that was either sitting on the shelf for way too long or one that had been tampered with. I've noticed when the DEF hits the ground or spills down the side of the truck it begins to crystalize very quickly due to water displacement. If you have your truck back, drain the tank and put some good stuff in. Fresh DEF will dissolve crystals. I've only heard of issues of having less than the 32.5% urea threshold, not more. Also, if it is crystalized in the lines and up to the injector, ok....maybe they need replaced, cleaned or purged. Idk about the catalyst itself though based on this statement from the manual:

"The DEF pump will run for a period of time after engine shutdown to purge the DEF system. This is normal operation."

If the pump is still injecting DEF after shutdown, I'm sure some crystalizes in there due to loss of exhaust temperature and just gets burned off next time.

On one hand, it sounds like you're getting the run around. On the other hand, is sounds like it was user error putting in junk DEF which I can understand it not being covered under warranty because that is not shoddy workmanship on the system itself.

Need more info. If you can, a second opinion.
 

RV Trax

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Got a 2015 Ram DEF truck in twice for DEF issues in 12,000 miles. Clean and sealed fluid used only. There is a ongoing issue with this system. Have talked with several Ram owners that have had many problems with the emissions system. Sad to void a warranty by installing a DEF delete, EGR delete and unlocking the computer for a program, but it seems the only way to not becoming a regular at the dealer is to delete this system. The only people that are happy hauling with there Rams have deleted this system. The only mistakes I have heard, is towing while having the power tune up to high, causing transmission failure. Stock tune and 30 HP tune has proven to be reliable. :puke:
 
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Super M

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Yah it's sicken to think they can't fix these. Problems, my truck is still in the shop tomorrow will be 4 weeks they are waiting for a def pump module there are 500 on back order, Dodge has been mo help, called the help desk and was told somebody would be back to me in 48 hours , that was last Friday and have heard nothing. Very disappointing to say the least.
 

[email protected]

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My 2015, same thing, waiting 4 months on pump and injector. Called Customer Care, never got back to me until 7 calls, then didn't get anything resolved. Ram service sucks.
 

[email protected]

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Where & how can you get this system deleted from truck? Please PM me. Am in Arkansas.
 

MADDOG

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You will have to find a diesel performance shop near you for a delete to be done unless you want to do it yourself.
 

SyN

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Are most of you filling your tank from in store bought jugs / boxes?

Or

Filling up @ the pump?

I am fixing to have to fill my tank for the first time.
I stopped by the local Shell (truck stop) on the way home from work yesterday.
The DEF filling stations & nozzles were ALL filthy.

Right now I am really considering going around locally & comparing all the production dates & buying the newest production that I can find.

My truck is parked in the garage for most of the winter & only driven once or twice a week (since I have a company pickup).
I will take her out on the interstate for about 25-30 miles.

She is a 2017 with only 1274 miles & still running with the FF of DEF.
I am highly contemplating draining the tank & adding new DEF.
The tank @ this present time is between 1/2 & 1/4 full.
 

crash68

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Are most of you filling your tank from in store bought jugs / boxes?

Or

Filling up @ the pump?

I've used from the pump. It's cheaper and fresher than boxes.

I found this a while back, it's how to decipher the date code for BlueDEF, several that I've looked at use a similar production code:
"The most important part of the batch code is the third through seventh numbers. There are always going to be two letters or numbers at the beginning of the code, which is the blending facility code, The third and fourth number of the code is the year +1. The fifth, sixth and seventh numbers of the code are the days left in the year, or reverse Julian date."

The date code on a recent BlueDEF box I purchased was GA153590089.Lets break this down into 4 groups of numbers:

GA: The designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF.

15: The year of manufacture plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2014.

359: 365-359 = 6, so the 6th day of the year, or January 6th.

0089: The batch code.

So this container of DEF was made January 6th, 2014.

Specification life for DEF is 2 years at 75F or so. Stored properly, this DEF is good thru January 6th, 2016.Storage life is highly dependent on temperature. DEF stored at 85F only lasts 12 months. Storage above 95F (not unusual in an vehicle parked in the sun during the summer) is limited to 1 month or so. (source of information: ISO 22241-3, most recent revision).
 

SyN

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Yup I made this cheat sheet last month.

Stopped by the local New Truck stop this morning.
All 4 DEF fill stations were totally unexceptionable to me.
Every fill nozzle was totally crystallized over. Even inside the fill nozzle itself & dirty.
It was totally filthy-I was no way in He11S creation going to stick that nozzle in my tank.

I would so much rather spend a couple more $$ for a clean box & use my cheat sheet to find the newest DEF produced product off of the shelf.

It’s not perfect but it will put me within the right month of production.

{I deleted my sheet that I posted} - Due to most wont understand it.

It will save a lot of headache & worry & is decently accurate.
 
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RamCares

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My 2015, same thing, waiting 4 months on pump and injector. Called Customer Care, never got back to me until 7 calls, then didn't get anything resolved. Ram service sucks.

Hi [email protected],
We regret to hear that you have had a negative experience with our customer care teams. We would like to hear more about this and look into it further for you. Please send us a PM with you VIN and additional details.
Julie
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

SyN

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Crash: How often do you have to add DEF & How full do you fill your tank?

Since I don’t drive my Ram that much.
I was thinking only keeping 1/2 tank.

Thinking of draining & refilling the DEF tank @ the beginning of the summer months.
Since the heat seems to effect the DEF more then anything else.
(When it comes to the life expectancy of the fluid).

1 full tank should easily last me 1 full year.
 
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crash68

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Crash: How often do you have to add DEF & How full do you fill your tank?

The EcoDs have 8 gallon DEF tanks vs the 5 gallon in the CTDs. I've only filled the tank 2.5 times (I didn't know the dealer was supposed to fill the tank when the truck was new). I've filled the tank all the way to the top, so far just shy of a year between having to fill(October & September). Some people wait till they get a DEF warning, I haven't and so far(knock on wood), no issues.
IMO...you need to drive that truck more...make up an excuse to go for a drive! lol

My buddy with a '14 CTD does carry two 2.5 gallons of DEF with him when he tows his fifth wheel, he says it like to drink the stuff then...lol.
 
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SyN

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Just bought my first box of DEF @ the local WM.


This box was out of March production of 2018: so I feel confident that there will be no issues. My fingers are always crossed though.

$12

E74F65C8-3AF6-4C4E-AB5C-5CAE5DC3290D.jpeg

This box put me @ the full mark according to the DEF gauge.
 
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