After all this time there's only a couple things about my 2012 6.7 I don't like, and one of them is the DEF system. I like the lack of smoke, and I REALLY like my warranty, but I don't like the acrid DEF exhaust smell and I don't like the amount of DEF fluid I'm going through.

So, does anyone out there make a kit to remove the DEF system but leave the truck otherwise untouched? I'd like to keep the DPF and not have to tune the truck, just eliminate the DEF and smell diesel fumes again.

I'm guessing this is a long shot given the amount of computer control of every aspect of the truck, but figured I'd ask anyway...

 

I don't know of any way to delete the DEF system without tuning.

 

Not possible. To remove DEF, you must delete everything and tune.

 

I figured as much, but thought I'd ask anyway.

That's annoying.

 

I just read on another site that it might be possible to run only distilled water in the DEF tank rather than DEF. No more DEF to buy and hopefully no more acrid ammonia smell. There was no detail or follow up on it though, so I'm not sure it's even possible or what the risks would be and figured this was the best place to ask.

I can't see how the truck's computer would know the difference and I can't see how it would negatively affect the exhaust, in fact, it seems just crazy enough to work lol.

Anyone tried this? Thoughts?

 

just wondering how much def are you using?
also when do you notice the smell?

 

There is a contaminated exhaust fluid alert programmed into the computer.
I don’t know how the computer determines a contamination but it’s a risk.

 

I know the smell you are talking about. I don't think I would risk putting anything but def into the tank. I have heard of people getting a "contamination" message too.

 

Ford put sensors in that don't just measure the fluid level but test for the purity of the DEF fuild. Don't do it, very big repair bill.

 

Figures lol. Thanks for the info.

I've got 11,000 kms (~7000 miles) on the truck and I've completely filled the tank once, topped it up again, and I'm getting a less than 1/2 full message already. It's not like it's that expensive, but it does add up, it's more the annoyance of it and the smell that I don't like.

As for the smell, I notice it all the time, but especially when idling and hooking/unhooking trailers. Maybe it doesn't bother most people, but there's something about it that just really gets me, I'd WAY rather smell diesel fumes than the acrid ammonia smell.

 

Urea is probably an electrolyte. If so then distilled water would show the DEF tank to be empty as it would not conduct very well. It would probably go into the limp mode even though the DEF tank was full of water.

 

It is just a carry over from your small boy days and wet pants................









I am Bad........

 

+1 It does have a funky smell at times. Yeah I'd rather smell diesel too.

 

Yeah I miss the smell of diesel. The new smell is wired.

I also miss the sound of the older diesels. It was harder to hear my loving wife.

 

Some people say it smells like baking bread but I think they have a broken nose.
Fresh baked bread does not smell like that...LOL.