Testing DEF in tank?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Testing DEF in tank?
Is there an easy way to test the DEF in my tank? I was down to about 125 miles range and it only took 2.5 gallons. I am pretty sure it is a 5gal tank and I would think it should take much closer to that - 4.5-4.75gal. So I am a bit concerned with how little it took. I did have DEF coming out the spout, it wasn't that the pump stopped too soon. I checked that several times as I was filling trying to figure out what was up...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,552
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From: West Michigan
Steve, I think your tank is full. What was wrong, and has happened to me as well, is false readings on the level. Since you have now refilled, I assume the level shows full again? I don't track it, but do you know the actual number of miles you put on since the last fill? If you tell me 7000, then yea there might be a problem, but full is full....
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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That is a possibility. I am pretty sure I saved my receipt from when I filled up DEF the last time. I track my mileage on my fuel receipts, not sure I tracked the mileage on the last DEF fill, but I can correlate the date to the miles close enough... Let me see what I can find. It was winter and snowing when I filled last, I know that much. So its been a few thousand miles anyway.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: West Michigan
My seat of the pants estimate is that I get about 1000+ miles per gallon when normal driving and not towing heavy. There is a table in the diesel supplement that gives mileage estimates for different driving types that may help make sense of this too.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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I looked through my receipts. Back in December was the last DEF receipt I found - close to the 10,000 mile mark. I do not recall filling up DEF since then, but even still if there was one more in between that is around a 5,000 mile spread. Doesn't sound good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
If it starts the countdown at half full, then it needs a dealer DEF level reset. Or possibly the DEF level/heater module is bad.
If the DEF tanks are topped off, the system gets confused and will do exactly what the OP is seeing. Or every now and again it gets confused anyway. Most often it's from being refilled at the wrong time.
The same happened to me. I'm religious about only putting DEF in when it is actually near empty. Had shoulder surgery last year and couldn't do the maintenance myself, so I took it to a dealer for an oil change. Since they know me they decided to do me a "favor" and top off my DEF (it was about half full at the time). After a few thousand miles the MTE came on. I put in only 2.5 gallons before it was full. Happened 2 more times in a row and wouldn't reset on its own. Took it to the dealer for a reset and it's been fine ever since.
If the DEF tanks are topped off, the system gets confused and will do exactly what the OP is seeing. Or every now and again it gets confused anyway. Most often it's from being refilled at the wrong time.
The same happened to me. I'm religious about only putting DEF in when it is actually near empty. Had shoulder surgery last year and couldn't do the maintenance myself, so I took it to a dealer for an oil change. Since they know me they decided to do me a "favor" and top off my DEF (it was about half full at the time). After a few thousand miles the MTE came on. I put in only 2.5 gallons before it was full. Happened 2 more times in a row and wouldn't reset on its own. Took it to the dealer for a reset and it's been fine ever since.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Thanks for the info. I decided to drain the tank to be safe. I have it siphoning now.
The dealer states that DEF was not added. So that really has me concerned. The best I can do is drain and refill with what I know is good DEF. I will seal the bucket with the drained stuff and have it tested if I can. If it is in fact good I can certainly re-use it.
The dealer states that DEF was not added. So that really has me concerned. The best I can do is drain and refill with what I know is good DEF. I will seal the bucket with the drained stuff and have it tested if I can. If it is in fact good I can certainly re-use it.
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From: Frederick, MD
I would suggest getting the ford fill spout. This will ensure no spillage and no overfilling of the def.
Mine typically will last 4500-5K miles. I never fil until it is less than 200 miles to empty
Mine typically will last 4500-5K miles. I never fil until it is less than 200 miles to empty
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Thanks for the info Scott. I was down to 120-150 miles until empty from what the dash told me. Either it is innacirate this round or something was put in the tank. Better safe than sorry. I will watch codes if any come up on my travels. The EGR codes should ho away after tomorrow's EGR core replacement. Crossing fingers.
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