Weird DEF Issue
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Weird DEF Issue
This is the first time I've experienced any issues with my DEF system. Might have to go to the dealer but thought I would get some feedback here first. My 2014 has a little over 17k on it. Appears I'm adding DEF every 3k or so. Once a week I just the level via the information screen looking for the "1/2 full" message which reminds me I need to go buy some and top off the tank at some point. So Monday morning I get the 500 miles countdown. Weird never got the half full. The whole day it counted down. Fine. No biggie. Tuesday get up and go to work and no warning. Information screen says "tank full". Weird. Wednesday morning 500 mile countdown again. Did almost 100 miles and counted down the whole time. Today (Thursday) no countdown and the info screen says tank is full. Sounds a bit like maybe a sensor issue? No other problems with the truck and runs fine. I'm not too worried about this point except I leave for a camping trip next Wednesday with my fifth wheel and trying to determine if I should top it off or just leave it as is and take a jub with me just in case. Thoughts?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,216
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From: Kaysville Utah
The DEF tanks are so weird. One day half empty, yet you can not dump in a 2.5 gallon jug.
I really suspect that the DEF crystalize above the flow line and if there is not enough spashing/swishing around those crystals inhibit both filling the tanks and maybe the sensors.
One day you can not fill it, A day later it takes the rest of the jug.
I would dump in as much as it will take and go on your trip. Luckily DEF is not hard to find and if you need some along the way, Buy another jug.
I really suspect that the DEF crystalize above the flow line and if there is not enough spashing/swishing around those crystals inhibit both filling the tanks and maybe the sensors.
One day you can not fill it, A day later it takes the rest of the jug.
I would dump in as much as it will take and go on your trip. Luckily DEF is not hard to find and if you need some along the way, Buy another jug.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 826
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From: The Sunshine State
when I go on a long run, I carry a 2.5 gal. Jug of DEF with me in case it's needed. That way I don't need to find a Truck Stop. I also carry a gallon Jug of clean Water to wash down the Paint when the DEF Tank Pukes out excess Fluid when it is full up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
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From: Parker, CO
Always let it run down until it actually tells you to fill the DEF tank. Fill it up using the Ford spout so you get the correct level.
If the tank is topped off or filled before telling you to fill, there's a chance of "confusing" the system, causing these very same weird issues.
If the tank is topped off or filled before telling you to fill, there's a chance of "confusing" the system, causing these very same weird issues.
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Oct 2010
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This is the first time I've experienced any issues with my DEF system. Might have to go to the dealer but thought I would get some feedback here first. My 2014 has a little over 17k on it. Appears I'm adding DEF every 3k or so. Once a week I just the level via the information screen looking for the "1/2 full" message which reminds me I need to go buy some and top off the tank at some point. So Monday morning I get the 500 miles countdown. Weird never got the half full. The whole day it counted down. Fine. No biggie. Tuesday get up and go to work and no warning. Information screen says "tank full". Weird...
Since you're concerned, it wouldn't hurt to bring this to the attention of your dealer prior to leaving on your trip. Keep us posted; if you need any help from my neck of the woods, I'll be here.
Crystal
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Thanks everyone. I guess what I'm trying to figure out at this point is I even need to add any DEF. yesterday it said 460 to empty and today it shows "full".
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Cargo Master
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From: Door Cty/Florida
Owned 6.7l for 3.5 years and 45,000 miles. As soon as the half empty message appears, I add DEF. When the dealer changes the oil, they top it off, no matter if I need some or not.
I have never carried DEF or ran mine down to near empty. Not saying this is correct but it's what I've always done. It's always worked for me.
If I experienced what you are experiencing, I'd make an appointment with my servicing dealer.
Bruce...
I have never carried DEF or ran mine down to near empty. Not saying this is correct but it's what I've always done. It's always worked for me.
If I experienced what you are experiencing, I'd make an appointment with my servicing dealer.
Bruce...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,726
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From: Connecticut
I use to wait until the computer said I need to DEF and attempt to fill it and it never would take the full amount. Then Tom one of the moderators told me to wait until it went past the 1/2 way mark then put in the 2.5 gal. in. I've never had a problem since. Just wait 3 or 4 days after you see the 1/2 mark. Note when traveling I always carry 2.5 gal. box of DEF but I do agree you can find it at any auto store.
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Thanks for the replies. My post was not so much about when to fill it as it's about me getting mis-information from the computer. One day it indicates fluid level is fine and the next day it's counting down frmo 500 miles. Today it says fluid level fine. Obvioulsy something is janky with the sensors/computers so my concern is will it tell me when I need to fill or will I get stuck because of this apparent issue with the sensors. Anyways I will bring a jug with me on this camping trip (already have the Ford spout) since I don't have time to bring it in before the trip. I will however bring it in afterwards and report back what they find. Since there are no codes for them to look at I suspect it's going to be difficult for them to diagnose what the issue is. Unless of course they've seen this behavior before.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Florida
I've had the same issue at over 21K. It just went away after a couple of days. Mine started the 500m countdown and it was over half full. Filled it up as far as possible and in a couple of days the message was gone. I have not had an issue since.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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I used to try to monitor my DEF with my Edge CTS and got all kinds of wierd information to show up. I kind of think the upper sensors in the tank are more like idiot lights as far as how much info they send to the computer vs the lowest one giving more real time info - think oil pressure light vs oil pressure gauge.
Now I just wait for the countdown.
Now I just wait for the countdown.