DEF gauge issue
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Senior User
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DEF gauge issue
i filled up from 3/4 to full right till it came out the spout and its been 3 days its stuck at 3/4 never moved. it is -35 C here in up north canada. just wondering if normal. also been like 3 weeks dpf filter staying at 0%
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Madison WI
While I do not have a direct answer to your question, I have noticed with mine that as soon as the temps were consistantly in the 20's or below, my DEF % takes forever to go up. Driving habits have not changed. Since regen at 100% has not occurred, DEF use has been zero. Finally at 95% after 3-4 weeks. Might take a long drive on the way home tonight...
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: BC Canada
The level will not move as its pumped back into the tank and not being used at -20 C. No DEF is being used unless all the temps are achieved and at this temp the heaters in the lines cant warm it up enough to be liquid and use.
Mike
Mike
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: SEVA
If you truly filled it that far, you have over-filled the DEF tank and now risk it becoming ruptured (permanently damaged) from freezing DEF. If it hasn't already frozen, I would try to siphon at least a gallon out before it's too late.
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Senior User
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i dont think it will freeze there is a heater in there. you would think the gauge would go up if full. i bought my truck in january from dealer and the tank was full to the top. im not to worried about tank. just more about gauge not moving to full. or my dpf % not moving for a long time
Senior User
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From: Rush
i dont think it will freeze there is a heater in there. you would think the gauge would go up if full. i bought my truck in january from dealer and the tank was full to the top. im not to worried about tank. just more about gauge not moving to full. or my dpf % not moving for a long time
My dpf% has been on 5% for a week if that puts your mind at ease. Has been doing regens on the 500 mile interval for awhile as the dpf% and soot gpl have been creeping at a snails pace since cold weather arrived. I dont pay much attention to the def gauge, i put a 2.5 gallon jug in every 2500 miles or so.
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Logistics Pro
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From: SEVA
Do you think that heater is operational when the truck is not running?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: St Louis Suburbs
Troverman shared this a couple days ago in another thread.
DEF will give your diesel exhaust a slightly sweet, bleachy smell. DEF freezes at 12F and so the tank has it's own electric heater, plus the line and the pump is heated. The truck knows...based upon temperature...when the DEF is frozen and will not attempt to inject any until sufficient time has been given for the heaters to melt the DEF. If you sniff your exhaust when temps are below 12F you will note the different smell.
It seems DEF fluid freezes solid under 12 F. So if the OP is seeing -35 C there is a good chance the DEF is not getting liquid even though the heating elements are working properly. Those heaters are not operational when the truck is not running. They would kill the battery(s).
DEF will give your diesel exhaust a slightly sweet, bleachy smell. DEF freezes at 12F and so the tank has it's own electric heater, plus the line and the pump is heated. The truck knows...based upon temperature...when the DEF is frozen and will not attempt to inject any until sufficient time has been given for the heaters to melt the DEF. If you sniff your exhaust when temps are below 12F you will note the different smell.
It seems DEF fluid freezes solid under 12 F. So if the OP is seeing -35 C there is a good chance the DEF is not getting liquid even though the heating elements are working properly. Those heaters are not operational when the truck is not running. They would kill the battery(s).
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
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From: BC Canada
Yes, garage is a good idea and perhaps let it thaw overnight or longer. Its mostly water so its freezing point isn't that low. The heaters will help but if its a big frozen block its pretty hard for them to get caught up. I agree with the idea of siphoning out a bit, like a liter just to be sure there is expansion space.
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Northern Ontario
Filled mine a few weeks ago and it eventually went up to full. It got cold and for some reason went down to 1/4 and didn't move. Warmed it up in the garage at work for about 10 hrs. DEF gauge took about 20 minutes or so to creep back up to full.
When I initially filled it up the DEF gauge didn't move, I reset the fuel history(last 30 minutes one) and it went right to full, that was before it froze. Tried that after it froze and it didn't move on the gauge until i thawed it out.
When I initially filled it up the DEF gauge didn't move, I reset the fuel history(last 30 minutes one) and it went right to full, that was before it froze. Tried that after it froze and it didn't move on the gauge until i thawed it out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: SE Michigan
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