What happens if my DEF freezes?

The freezing point of DEF is 12 degrees Fahrenheit and -11 degrees Celsius. If you're driving in low temperatures, it's important to leave some room in the DEF tank. If the DEF tank is completely full, when it freezes, the water in it will expand and could crack the tank.

Can DEF be used after it freezes?

The individual components do not separate or negatively impact the effectiveness of the solution. Cycles of freezing and thawing have no effect on DEF fuel quality, regardless of how many times the cycle is repeated.

What happens if your DEF fluid freezes?

Frozen DEF can affect your ability to pump it into your truck's selective catalytic reduction, or SCR, system. It can also expand to crack or damage holding tanks on your truck or property.

Does it hurt DEF to freeze?

If your DEF is frozen, there are proper defrosting steps to follow. With the water content present in the fluid, DEF will freeze at a certain temperature. A frozen DEF can affect the performance of the engine. With heat, it will allow the thawing of frozen DEF by regulating the temperature of the DEF tank.

Does DEF freeze solid?

“DEF will begin to 'slush' before it freezes and will ultimately freeze into a solid state when the fluid temperature reaches 12 degrees F,” Kladder says.

DEF FROZEN

How do you unfreeze a DEF tank?

Most after-treatment systems have a built-in DEF tank heater that will thaw the fluid during normal vehicle operation. If your vehicle's SCR has a built-in DEF tank heater, turn the vehicle on to initiate the thawing process.

Can you put water in DEF tank?

The DEF will be diluted by the added water, but depending on the ratio of water to DEF, the solution may still contain enough urea to deal with the NOX via an increase in the injection rate.

How cold does it have to be for diesel to gel?

Gelling occurs when the paraffin wax in diesel solidifies because of a drop in temperature, and the temperature of the fuel generally has to stay below something like minus 10 degrees F for extended periods, like 48 to 72 hours.

How do you know if your DEF fluid is bad?

The easiest way to spot bad DEF is by looking at it. DEF is naturally clear, so if the solution looks cloudy or colored in any way, it's probable that it's old or has been contaminated.

Can you store DEF outside?

If you store DEF outside, it must be kept out of direct sunlight and stay under shade. If it is kept in direct sunlight for any sustained period of time, it begins to lose its urea potency. DEF must be stored below 86°F or in the coolest area of your storage facility.

What causes DEF to crystallize?

DEF crystallizes when stored for prolonged periods as the water evaporates. Do not use DEF that shows signs of crystallization and always completely use a container to avoid storing opened containers. Refill DEF only when the level indicator reaches 1/2 or less.

Does DEF go bad?

Because it doesn't include any preservatives, DEF does come with a shelf life. The good news is, it's a fairly long shelf life; DEF can usually be stored up to one year without any issues.

What can you use in place of DEF fluid?

DEF is urea or otherwise known as aqueous ammonia. Windshield washer fluid that contains ammonia will do in a pinch.

Can you make DEF fluid?

DEF is a mixture of (typically) 2/3 deionized water and 1/3 urea. It's carefully regulated by the American Petroleum Institute. Technically, urea is derived from one of the byproducts of urine. But it's synthetically made, so no cats are ever harmed in the production of the fluid.

What causes DEF pump failure?

Dirt / Metal Contamination: Contaminated DEF can cause abrasion of the DEF pump. Dirt, rust or tank scale can occur with improper of DEF storage or handling (e.g. res-using disposable DEF containers). UREA Concentration (Dilution): Diluted DEF (too much water) reduces its NOx neutralization effectiveness.

Can you replace DEF fluid with water?

Subject: RE: Anyone replace DEF with water? Water won't hurt the system but it will de-rate you pretty quick. ECM compares NOx values pre/post, if conversion is low it will start throwing codes and will eventually derate.

How often should you change a DEF filter?

The DEF Dosing Unit Filter will need to be replaced about every 200k miles as part of routine maintenance.

What happens if you run a diesel engine without DEF?

If you ignore the DEF warning the truck will cease to work. Some diesel engine manufacturers allow the engine to go into reduced power mode so the truck can “limp home” or limit the number of times you can turn the engine over. At some point though the diesel engine will not start.

How do you start a gelled diesel?

How do you tell if your diesel is gelled?

Can you put too much anti-gel in diesel?

It's easy to overdo it with a high-quality diesel fuel additive. Overdosing can result in a slew of new fuel and engine problems, ranging from clogged filters to decreased engine performance and efficiency. Don't over-treat if you're losing lubricity.

How do you clean a contaminated DEF tank?

There is no way to clean out the drum after the Diesel Exhaust Fluid has been contaminated without compromising the integrity of any remaining product. Drums are the easiest to get contaminated, simply because anyone can open and close them. Drums are one way systems, and should be thrown out after each use.

Can you add DEF while engine is running?

No, simply run the tank as empty as possible before refilling. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a pure chemical, so your bulk storage tank does not need to be cleaned out unless it is contaminated.

How does DEF not freeze in winter?

DEF, because of the urea, doesn't have the freezing point of water. The urea mixture has a much lower freezing point of 12°F/-11°C. This solution doesn't break into just urea and just water, either. The solution freezes at the same rate, and also thaws at the same rate.