Another DEF Fluid Question???
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 7
From: Stanley, IDAHO
Another DEF Fluid Question???
I am about to pull the trigger on a new 2012 S.D. 6.7L 4x4 XLT Supercab Long box
I just read that DEF Fluid can freeze at 12 Degrees F. Is this really a true statement??? Doesn't seem to practical for Cold weather environments. I live where winter temps are commonly in the Minus 20 to minus 40 side of ZERO degrees. The Truck will be kept under a Carport / Truckport but not heated when parked outside except for the Block Heater.
GARY
Stanley, Idaho
Often the coldest spot in the lower 48 states
I just read that DEF Fluid can freeze at 12 Degrees F. Is this really a true statement??? Doesn't seem to practical for Cold weather environments. I live where winter temps are commonly in the Minus 20 to minus 40 side of ZERO degrees. The Truck will be kept under a Carport / Truckport but not heated when parked outside except for the Block Heater.
GARY
Stanley, Idaho
Often the coldest spot in the lower 48 states
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Don't overfill the DEF tank and then there is no worry.
If the DEF is frozen the truck knows that and won't use it.
There are heater wires on the lines/tank and will eventually thaw it.
The EPA allows for this "grace period" in cold temps.
The DEF tank filler neck is not heated so if you overfill it, you can damage the tube and of course if the tank freezes, frozen H2O will expand and crack the tank.
If the DEF is frozen the truck knows that and won't use it.
There are heater wires on the lines/tank and will eventually thaw it.
The EPA allows for this "grace period" in cold temps.
The DEF tank filler neck is not heated so if you overfill it, you can damage the tube and of course if the tank freezes, frozen H2O will expand and crack the tank.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 8,081
From: North Central Washington
I here Stanley, ID in the news quite often as being the coldest in the nation.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 7
From: Stanley, IDAHO
DEF
I appreciate the replies. And yes I have lived here in Stanley Idaho for 34 of my 65 years....some folks really wonder about me.....
Sounds like the DEF will be OK as long as I don't over fill the DEF Tank. If there is a special kit for the DEF Tank...I'd sure like to know about it.
Minus 5 was the low this week but, of course, its not winter yet.
Just sold the 2000 F-250 Super Duty Today....
GARY
Sounds like the DEF will be OK as long as I don't over fill the DEF Tank. If there is a special kit for the DEF Tank...I'd sure like to know about it.
Minus 5 was the low this week but, of course, its not winter yet.
Just sold the 2000 F-250 Super Duty Today....
GARY
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 4,255
From: Kaysville Utah
Gary, Your truck will be fine, Just pay attention to the not over filling the DEF tank. I spent several weeks in -25° temps last winter and no problems.
I run till I'm about to expect the 800 miles to empty message, then add 2.5 gallon jug to get me above 1/2 tank. I never worry about filling completely full during Dec-Feb.
But you may want to find a radiator cover. It was really hard to get my truck up to normal operating temps when driving 70 mph at -25°
I run till I'm about to expect the 800 miles to empty message, then add 2.5 gallon jug to get me above 1/2 tank. I never worry about filling completely full during Dec-Feb.
But you may want to find a radiator cover. It was really hard to get my truck up to normal operating temps when driving 70 mph at -25°
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Ok......quick question while we are on this subject. Filled my tank last week (it has showed under half for a while, but as we know how accurate it is) I put in a 2.5 gallon jug and just as it was about empty it came out the top. I live in Buffalo and temps are starting to get into the upper 20's at night. Question is how fast will it burn down to get out of the neck? Or should I siphon some out to play it safe? Any ideas?
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I did that too. What a stupid system. I got the 800km to empty warning so I bought 2 2.5 gal jugs. I put one jug in then checked the level. It still said under half. So crazy me tried to put in another jug and overfilled it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 4,255
From: Kaysville Utah
Well Motorcraft does sell DEF in jugs with their special fill breather. It supposeded senses when you start ti fill the fill tube and stops the flow out of the jug. Just buy and hang onto one of those fancy jugs at twice the price of DEF.
I've never been able to put two full jugs in. The tank would have to be totally empty to have enough room. Just add one at a time. Since you get around 2500 per 2.5gallon jug. It's not like you are having to add one ever day.
I've never been able to put two full jugs in. The tank would have to be totally empty to have enough room. Just add one at a time. Since you get around 2500 per 2.5gallon jug. It's not like you are having to add one ever day.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 5
From: Northwestern Ontario
This will be my 3rd winter in the Canadian north with my truck.
Firstly, you don't have to worry about having the tank too full. The DEF does not expandto any degree. I left a jug outside the first winter to see when it would start to freeze. It did start to crystalize at about -12c . It does not freeze solid like water. It crystalizes and does not expand. AT -20c (0f) it pretty well was all crystalized with no liquid left, but with no expansion to speak of. The jug did not break.
The first winter I filled it up in October, and it was very cold all winter. In March when the weather started to warm up, I topped it up and it only took 1 litre and I had put on 4000 miles. So I would say when it is frozen it does not get used. The sensors read lots of DEf and everything runs great.
Last winter was a milder winter with lots of warmer temps so it used DEF like normal.
This winter, who knows what the temps will be. I filled up my DEF at the end of October and probably won't need to add any if the temps get real cold.
--
Gordon
Firstly, you don't have to worry about having the tank too full. The DEF does not expandto any degree. I left a jug outside the first winter to see when it would start to freeze. It did start to crystalize at about -12c . It does not freeze solid like water. It crystalizes and does not expand. AT -20c (0f) it pretty well was all crystalized with no liquid left, but with no expansion to speak of. The jug did not break.
The first winter I filled it up in October, and it was very cold all winter. In March when the weather started to warm up, I topped it up and it only took 1 litre and I had put on 4000 miles. So I would say when it is frozen it does not get used. The sensors read lots of DEf and everything runs great.
Last winter was a milder winter with lots of warmer temps so it used DEF like normal.
This winter, who knows what the temps will be. I filled up my DEF at the end of October and probably won't need to add any if the temps get real cold.
--
Gordon
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 1
From: WY
Ok......quick question while we are on this subject. Filled my tank last week (it has showed under half for a while, but as we know how accurate it is) I put in a 2.5 gallon jug and just as it was about empty it came out the top. I live in Buffalo and temps are starting to get into the upper 20's at night. Question is how fast will it burn down to get out of the neck? Or should I siphon some out to play it safe? Any ideas?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Daveyf15096
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
11
Jan 30, 2018 03:49 PM
robertcoogan
Bio-diesel, Propane & Alternative Diesel Engine Fuels
1
Oct 20, 2012 10:59 PM