DEF Freezing
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
DEF Freezing
Just started wondering about something tonight. I have heard of DEF freezing and I think the truck has a way of keeping it warm when it is running. Is this a tank heater or what? What about when my truck is sitting outside in sub-freezing weather? I've always had a diesel and never had a problem; just wonder why.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Tank heater and when you shut it down, it pushes it all back out of the lines into the tank. Then when you start it up, it starts thawing before it starts using it. I’m on my 3rd winter and so far so good. Last winter coldest I experienced was -38 C.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Here is the key though, Don't over fill the tank. When it freezes, it expands. Plastic tank.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 362
Likes: 17
From: Lowcountry
Thats good info. from what I understand engine coolant is routed through a piece of stainless tubing inside the tank
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 685
Likes: 4
I believe that it is an electric heating element.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
Here is the key though, Don't over fill the tank. When it freezes, it expands. Plastic tank.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.
I had a buddy that it froze up on while he was driving; I think the tank heater (Dodge) failed.
Senior User
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Blue DEF does not shut off. Buy the Ford spout for about $6 and it screws on the Blue DEF containers. I have 2 2.5 gallon tanks in my garage and I refill them at the pump and store them in the garage till needed.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
Ok, thanks, I guess I never noticed it shut off or not because I never add until it can take more than 2.5Gal.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
Here is the key though, Don't over fill the tank. When it freezes, it expands. Plastic tank.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.
My best advice is to let it run down until it calls for def and then do a complete fill but us the ford filler spout.
the ford spout will shut it off when full, it prevents an over fill and spillage situation.