New to Me 4th Gen

[mwilson]

Some of you guys absolutely crack me up being so “judgmental” over bulk DEF at the pump, basing your decisions on the appearance of the DEF nozzle. Ever keep a rag handy under the seat or door pocket......or paper towels nearby?

When one runs a Cab & Chassis, often pulling long trailers, sometimes truck stops are the only place to get fuel. Additionally......rolling into a retail store for DEF just doesn’t work out as a rule, either, depending on the size of the combination you’re under.

In my situation...why would I want to buy and overpay and deal with four 2.5 gallon DEF boxes, when the DEF at the pump is convenient, less cost, equal to or better in quality, don’t have to decipher a dumbasssssss date code, and, lastly, if it’s good enough for $150,000 Peterbilts, Kenworths, etc., it should be just fine for my little 4500.

Again, it’s probably just fine. I’m simply stating a preference.

 

[mwilson]

Really can’t compare the SCR systems that are in “Consumer grade” class 4-5 rigs with class 8 SCR systems. For starters, the class 8 DEF pumps I see have serviceable filters, Urea quality sensors (to spot bad DEF right away, and not by NOx readback when it’s too late) and engine coolant tank heater systems to better prevent ice ups.

Exactly!!

To me it would be all about minimizing risk, hence prepacked in my case if I buy a DEF diesel pickup in the future..

 

[gsbrockman]

Really can’t compare the SCR systems that are in “Consumer grade” class 4-5 rigs with class 8 SCR systems. For starters, the class 8 DEF pumps I see have serviceable filters, Urea quality sensors (to spot bad DEF right away, and not by NOx readback when it’s too late) and engine coolant tank heater systems to better prevent ice ups.

They do, however, run the same DEF at the pump...........

 

[Ozymandias]

Next thing they'll have to install DEF nozzle washers on the pump islands.

A bucket of tab water is plenty, throw the nozzle in, let it soak for half an hour and all crystals are gone.
We had to do this on our companys pump by our self every month or so.
No big deal.

 

[Ozymandias]

Out of pure curiosity, is anyone aware of a truck issue brought about by crystals/trash introduced by a DEF pump nozzle? My truck should arrive fairly soon, and I was thinking buying at the pump was the way to go, but this thread has me rethinking that premise.

Don't re-think, pump is fine.

 

[JR]

Really can’t compare the SCR systems that are in “Consumer grade” class 4-5 rigs with class 8 SCR systems. For starters, the class 8 DEF pumps I see have serviceable filters, Urea quality sensors (to spot bad DEF right away, and not by NOx readback when it’s too late) and engine coolant tank heater systems to better prevent ice ups.

Our QSB6.7's at work are the same. I suppose the coolant heater isnt such a big deal - or at least the electric heaters dont appear to cause problems in the Rams, but the inline filter sure would be great. Ive seen some gunk in the filter of the 8100 that made me wonder how anything was flowing through it.

Im sorry for your loss BIG. Let us know what you think of the new to you rig.

 

[RVTRKN]

With the 2014 I drove awhile, I bought the Peak Blue DEF 2.5 gal box when on sale. Keep in mind you have to drive it a lot or the DEF can go bad if it sits for awhile. So if you plan on driving it a lot 2.5 gal works better, if not driven much 1gal would be better.

 

[BIGNASTY]

It made the trip out (which I didn't drive) and back with no problems which is Monumental from the experiences I had with the very same truck in Montana. It left me out in eastern Montana so far out that there was no cell service. If not for a Bull Wagon the first time and Penny sending the Posse for me by calling the sheriff & State troopers the second time, I'D PROBABLY STILL BE OUT THERE!!

I refused to drive it after that and used my 3/4 Ton Dodge instead. My Father in law was upset and took it to the dealer and said this is life threating FIX IT!! still I didn't trust it. They worked on it and other family members drove it without any further issues. Before he passed my Father in law said that it was mine so please take it. After his passing I loaded it up with WAY MORE than what would be legal and drove it to Indiana, I was impressed with the Loaded ride of the truck, but empty was less that diserable WAY LESS. The truck has Aux tanks under the CM Steel bed (for some weight) to try and curb the empty Ball Busting Ride to no avail. The fuel cap is 150 gal so I was worried about out running the DEF with that amount of fuel, It wasn't even close to an issue pulling 5000 # of tractor & 2500 to 3000# of plough plus the 30' PJ Gooseneck. No numbers on the MPG but I like the truck even though it has the AFTERBURNER EXHAUST.

 

[TFucili]

Gotta win Powerball, and get Kelderman four corner air ride.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Some of you guys absolutely crack me up being so “judgmental” over bulk DEF at the pump, basing your decisions on the appearance of the DEF nozzle. Ever keep a rag handy under the seat or door pocket......or paper towels nearby?

When one runs a Cab & Chassis, often pulling long trailers, sometimes truck stops are the only place to get fuel. Additionally......rolling into a retail store for DEF just doesn’t work out as a rule, either, depending on the size of the combination you’re under.

In my situation...why would I want to buy and overpay and deal with four 2.5 gallon DEF boxes, when the DEF at the pump is convenient, less cost, equal to or better in quality, don’t have to decipher a dumbasssssss date code, and, lastly, if it’s good enough for $150,000 Peterbilts, Kenworths, etc., it should be just fine for my little 4500.

Yes aI have been into regular gas stations with a 60 ft truck on MANY occasions when driving a fuel truck for 27 years. Getting in wasn't nearly as bad as once in and relaxing a bit before getting out of the cab and then it comes to mind I HOPE THAT I CAN GET THE HXXX OUT OF HERE????

 

[Newsa]

I gotta learn to be a little less trigger happy with the def island nozzles. But it's hard to be careful with the strong spring i experienced in AZ in the def nozzle handle. Also seemed like it was less graduated in it's response. It was either all on or all off. I find the fast flow diesel nozzle handles have a little more space in the squeeze for moderate flow? Part of it may have been the 8 hour journey i was working on that day and a bit of fatigue with fighting the desert winds?

 

[kthaxton]

A bucket of tab water is plenty, throw the nozzle in, let it soak for half an hour and all crystals are gone.
We had to do this on our companys pump by our self every month or so.
No big deal.

This (except I wouldn't bother to go through this process).
Crystals, are no longer crystals, when they become wet.

 

[BIGNASTY]

If the truck say for to long a time is there some kind of drain on DEF tank & add new?

 

[Newsa]

If the truck say for to long a time is there some kind of drain on DEF tank & add new?

A drain on the fuel tank and def tank would be a good design if you live on a farm or in a rural area. However, in big cities little fairies go around and syphon tanks of suburbans, excursions and other large vehicles at night. And sometimes they steel those nice aluminum rims/wheels.

Sometimes those little tooth fairies even find their way past locks.

 

[RVTRKN]

I don’t know if I’d want to empty the DEF tank. A good example of crystalizing on a empty container, would be after you pour it in the DEF tank, it will crystallize on the carton, and would scare me if the DEF tank did the same. I would keep just enough to run it every weekend or a schedule like that, then when filling it before a long trip, it would help the weaker fluid that was left in the tank.

 

[kthaxton]

I don’t know if I’d want to empty the DEF tank. A good example of crystalizing on a empty container, would be after you pour it in the DEF tank, it will crystallize on the carton, and would scare me if the DEF tank did the same. I would keep just enough to run it every weekend or a schedule like that, then when filling it before a long trip, it would help the weaker fluid that was left in the tank.

As I said before, once the crystals get wet, they dissolve. Crystals form when the water evaporates, when the water comes back, crystals are gone.

 

[RVTRKN]

I’d keep some in it anyway, it’s just what I’d do, but’s that’s just me.

 

[DavidC]

Oh geez,drying out, crystalizing, what could go wrong. I imagine there is a hose or some kind of line to the point of injection plus nozzles. What happens when it crystalizes in those components.

 

[Wiredawg]

There's a bunch of strategies folks have about DEF... my service writer at Ram dealership for 20 years and 4 trucks I asked what should I do about DEF in my truck. Mine is 9 gallons and we're in Southwest TX (San Antonio area). He advised me to no let it get lower than half a tank. It has worked so far. I've seen a bunch of different approaches and heard arguements different ways. I buy Super Tech stuff at Walmart.

I used the pump at the truck stop once, had to prepay and guess amount.... no credit cards at the truck pumps. Came out like a firehose and shot out about 3ft before auto stop caught it. I have to be careful with filling diesel on my OEM 52 gallon tank because the filler hose almost horizontal two feet back and another slight drop two feet in. Gotta listen and shut off at the first gurgle. I like the RV islands at Flying J best.

When traveling 5K to 9K miles on an RV trip, I top off DEF tank and carry two 2.5 gallon Super Tech. I use about 1 gallon every 400 miles 32.6K Lbs.

Anyway, everyone has a way that works for them and so do I.

Cheers, Ron

 

[kthaxton]

Oh geez,drying out, crystalizing, what could go wrong. I imagine there is a hose or some kind of line to the point of injection plus nozzles. What happens when it crystalizes in those components.

IF it crystals form, they will dissolve when wetted.