DEF fluid in fuel tank-Ely,Nevada

[dblake]

It doesn't really matter. He ran it till it stopped so we know we have DEF through the system. It still needs to be drained, cleaned out, filters changed, and new fuel to determine if there is any damage. The longer he waits the more chance the parts are going to corrode

Good point. Time is his enemy unless he does the whole fuel system replace. He’s kind of gone silent. Probably resigned to his fate and tired of discussing it. Good lesson for the rest of us even if you don’t have a DEF truck.

 

[BigPapa]

dblakes Diesel World Mag article referenced people adding DEF to the FUEL TANK of no-DEF trucks and even gassers with people thinking "if it's good for the new trucks, it's got to be good for mine" mentality. That's a whole 'nother level of Darwin Stupid right there....

 

[12LaramieHO]

Chad,
I've been reading this since posted and think your idea is best answer to his problem. I'm sad for them. Nothing too much else to say.

Best wishes to them!

Ron

Ron,

I too have been following this since it started and I agree with you. Can't help feeling for the guy and hoping for the best for him.
I would in fact have followed up on the insurance question and gotten a concrete answer.

That said, there have been some very good suggestions for the after the fact/aftermath of this, such as sag2's.

It doesn't really matter. He ran it till it stopped so we know we have DEF through the system. It still needs to be drained, cleaned out, filters changed, and new fuel to determine if there is any damage. The longer he waits the more chance the parts are going to corrode

This is where I would start, it can't hurt anything further. It may rescue what's left and it is a starting point. Once again sag2 had a prime example of this working. He has nothing to lose at this point.
Some of the other Members have another GREAT point, finding a shop that will work on it.

My hunting buddy filled his 7.3 Ford with DEF (I'm sure he looked at the price and said, I'll use the cheaper diesel) and made it to the on ramp before it quit. They had the tank drained, removed and dried, flushed the lines and system, new filter, and filled with fresh fuel. Has run a few thousand miles since with no problems.
He has nothing to loose. Do the same and worst case it won't start or won't run correctly. If that happens the fuel system is clean and then you start replacing parts.

So ALL that said, I will keep hoping and keep him in my thoughts and wishing the best for him.
I hope DBlake is still following along to pass along these suggestions and let him know others from TDR are still trying to help.

I want to express my gratitude to ALL THE TDR MEMBERS THAT HAVE CHIMED IN WITH SUGGESTIONS! It shows the true SPIRIT OF WHAT THE TDR IS ALL ABOUT. MEMBERS REACHING OUT AND HELPING A FELLOW CTD OWNER EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT A MEMBER!
Hopefully he'll join after this, if he doesn't OFF his CTD.

~Chad

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron,

I too have been following this since it started and I agree with you. Can't help feeling for the guy and hoping for the best for him.
I would in fact have followed up on the insurance question and gotten a concrete answer.

That said, there have been some very good suggestions for the after the fact/aftermath of this, such as sag2's.



This is where I would start, it can't hurt anything further. It may rescue what's left and it is a starting point. Once again sag2 had a prime example of this working. He has nothing to lose at this point.
Some of the other Members have another GREAT point, finding a shop that will work on it.



So ALL that said, I will keep hoping and keep him in my thoughts and wishing the best for him.
I hope DBlake is still following along to pass along these suggestions and let him know others from TDR are still trying to help.

I want to express my gratitude to ALL THE TDR MEMBERS THAT HAVE CHIMED IN WITH SUGGESTIONS! It shows the true SPIRIT OF WHAT THE TDR IS ALL ABOUT. MEMBERS REACHING OUT AND HELPING A FELLOW CTD OWNER EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT A MEMBER!
Hopefully he'll join after this, if he doesn't OFF his CTD.

~Chad

Not trying to take away the sensitivity on this, but I was a little taken back that he realized he had added the DEF and decided to run with it anyway. I wouldn't have started it even if I'd just put water in it. I still feel for him.

So I imagine we're talking about replacing injectors, injection pump, maybe lines, and fuel pump. Maybe fuel filter housings too.

My wife had an 03 Ram 2500 4x4 QC diesel and I had told her if she ever put gas in instead of diesel to not even start it. Well, one time she put around 25 gallons of gas in it. She called me to tell me, and I reminded her to NOT start it. She said she already had that the guy behind her said it wouldn't hurt it. Called a couple diesel shops, found one that would take it. Had it towed, they dropped the tank, purged the fuel system and added 5 gallons diesel for around $300. It was ok, my wife had lucked out.

Anyway, I'm hoping we hear how this turns out.

Cheers, Ron

 

[dblake]

They even talked him into buying a new fuel tank for $1100 . Well now he’s blaming the new fangled complicated truck for his problems. I’d like to see him try to haul that big camper on a first gen or an old gasser. My sympathies for him are waning.

 

[Wiredawg]

They even talked him into buying a new fuel tank for $1100 . Well now he’s blaming the new fangled complicated truck for his problems. I’d like to see him try to haul that big camper on a first gen or an old gasser. My sympathies for him are waning.

I imagine he's more frustrated with himself than his truck... sometimes folks have a hard time admitting it though. I guess that's where I get my type A(nus) from. Once, I was so focused on getting on the road, that I left the rear stabilizers down on my 2000 Travel Supreme 5th wheel. Left pretty sparks, and thank God and a trucker who cared enough to call out on the CB what i had done. AND the time I had been working on the raised TV antenna on my Cyclone and buggered it up pullin it out of my shop after forgetting to put it down. ME AGAIN! It was ALL me. Now, after I THINK I've checked everything, I do a last walkaround with my wife. Hopefully, no more mistakes.

So, anyway, as the gent digs deep in his wallet, he will pay more attention to what he's doing. Still feel bad for him.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

They even talked him into buying a new fuel tank for $1100 . Well now he’s blaming the new fangled complicated truck for his problems. I’d like to see him try to haul that big camper on a first gen or an old gasser. My sympathies for him are waning.

There are alot of high performance parts for the 6.4L gasser, 12k would go a long way in upgrades, then downgrade the camper or do.a pull behind..... If DEF and Diesel fill ports are too complicated , stuff happens we have all been in some sort of similar self inflicted screw-up, better to own it and move on.

Yeah that echos the comment number 3 from your original post.......sounds consisent with tank replacement when using dealer for warranty reasons....

BarryG's comment "Not that this helps but I know a guy who did the same thing with his Ecodiesel. Same story from his local dealer, replace the entire fuel system tank to injectors. They would not warranty the work otherwise and iirc the cost was in the $10k+ range."

 

[TFucili]

There are alot of high performance parts for the 6.4L gasser, 12k would go a long way in upgrades, then downgrade the camper or do.a pull behind..... If DEF and Diesel fill ports are too complicated , stuff happens we have all been in some sort of similar self inflicted screw-up, better to own it and move on.

Yeah that echos the comment number 3 from your original post.......sounds consisent with tank replacement when using dealer for warranty reasons....

BarryG's comment "Not that this helps but I know a guy who did the same thing with his Ecodiesel. Same story from his local dealer, replace the entire fuel system tank to injectors. They would not warranty the work otherwise and iirc the cost was in the $10k+ range."

Having just stepped out of a 6.4, and only having one test tow after returning to a CTD, I can say without hesitation that you could spend space shuttle money on mods for a 6.4, and it wouldn't hold a candle to a CTD, when towing any substantial weight.

I can sympathize, as it hurts your pride to screw up like that, but blaming the truck won't help. Chalk it up to experience, and move on, driver.

 

[sag2]

That dealer is just stupid if they said they had to replace the tank. Nothing will stick to the tank, and can easily be wiped out. What a rip off.

 

[Signal73]

That dealer is just stupid if they said they had to replace the tank. Nothing will stick to the tank, and can easily be wiped out. What a rip off.

I agree, seems a little excessive!

 

[Wiredawg]

I agree, seems a little excessive!

I read that and thought dealers REALLY are taking replacement versus repairing to the EXTREME. There was another thread on the TDR where it was dicussed replacing the tank versus cleaning it.

I guess the AMONIA is corrosive to the fuel system parts.

You know, I got concerned about someone putting something in my DEF tank, so I put a locking cap on it, as well as my OEM fuel cap and one came with my aux fuel tank. Much harder to confuse them on the C&Cs with the separation and location.

Anyway, I hope whoever is fixing this truck is doing it honestly and properly.

Cheers, Ron

 

[LandShark]

I'm curious as to why his insurance will not cover this. Does he not have comprehensive coverage?

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I am curious as to the outcome. When we first started getting DEF on Class 8 trucks we had some drivers put it in the fuel tank, but not much since it's become commonplace. Locations are separated by a few feet depending on application so that helps.

Perusing his FB it looks like it is at an independent shop vs dealer? That new of a truck, if it is still under warranty(even if failure isn't) I would err towards dealer repair. Also looks like he ran it ALOT after putting 7/10ths(per his FB posts) gallon of DEF in full fuel tank.

 

[Regcabguy]

Oregon pumps for you. I wonder how often this scenario is repeated there?