View Poll Results: What causes exhaust system fluid failure
Bad design
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0%
Operating error
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100.00%
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Exhaust fluid system failure
New User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
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My 2015 F250 CEL recently came on at 39K miles. OBD DTC is P2050 service recommends replacing reductant heater and pump, $4K. They claim parts are $1200 and will take 5 hours to remove and replace DEF tank, replace the heater and pump on top. Ford dealers say it's not covered by warranty. Any EGR SCF system which costs this much to repair is a faulty design.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,380
Likes: 1,864
From: Frederick, MD
My 2015 F250 CEL recently came on at 39K miles. OBD DTC is P2050 service recommends replacing reductant heater and pump, $4K. They claim parts are $1200 and will take 5 hours to remove and replace DEF tank, replace the heater and pump on top. Ford dealers say it's not covered by warranty. Any EGR SCF system which costs this much to repair is a faulty design.
Not sure of your year but check into it.
New User
Joined: Sep 2020
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The DEF pump failed to indicate low fluid level. In other words, when checking DEF fluid level with system checks it indicated level was OK, but it was actually low. Evidently the pump and fluid level sensor became faulty because the fluid level was very low and crystals formed which caused the sensor to give a false "DEF fluid level is OK". And for what it's worth, the technician recommended topping off the DEF fluid and throwing away what you don't use. They said 1 gal size DEF fluid is now available. I followed the practice of filling only when the system said to fill with DEF fluid.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 26
From: BA, OK
The DEF pump failed to indicate low fluid level. In other words, when checking DEF fluid level with system checks it indicated level was OK, but it was actually low. Evidently the pump and fluid level sensor became faulty because the fluid level was very low and crystals formed which caused the sensor to give a false "DEF fluid level is OK". And for what it's worth, the technician recommended topping off the DEF fluid and throwing away what you don't use. They said 1 gal size DEF fluid is now available. I followed the practice of filling only when the system said to fill with DEF fluid.
I would think just filling the tank above the crystals would allow them to reabsorb into the fluid. But I'm just speculating.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,891
Likes: 9,176
From: Western NY
I agree @dirthawg
I've recently been following a fill interval of 3k miles or so. It takes about a 2.5 gallon jug of DEF.
I've posted on this before but I believe I read it here from a Ford tech that said fill up every 3 to 4k miles with 2.5 gallons to keep fluid on heater. That would seem to make sense to help the heater last longer, especially for us with cold winters. Just my 2 cents.
I've recently been following a fill interval of 3k miles or so. It takes about a 2.5 gallon jug of DEF.
I've posted on this before but I believe I read it here from a Ford tech that said fill up every 3 to 4k miles with 2.5 gallons to keep fluid on heater. That would seem to make sense to help the heater last longer, especially for us with cold winters. Just my 2 cents.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 176
Likes: 22
My 2015 F250 CEL recently came on at 39K miles. OBD DTC is P2050 service recommends replacing reductant heater and pump, $4K. They claim parts are $1200 and will take 5 hours to remove and replace DEF tank, replace the heater and pump on top. Ford dealers say it's not covered by warranty. Any EGR SCF system which costs this much to repair is a faulty design.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 176
Likes: 22
Spoiler
what is the point of running the DEF tank almost to empty before filling? Is this only associated with the pre 17 trucks? I usually dump in a jug of DEF when the gauge shows 1/4. I only let it get to the 500 mile warning once. Am I missing something?
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,891
Likes: 9,176
From: Western NY
I bought an extended warranty, 7 year/125k miles, thinking the same thing. But it is not. Only covered up to 80k miles. Not sure of yearly warranty though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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Likes: 84
For the 2011, the countdown began at 800 MTE then Ford changed it to 500 MTE a few years later if I remember correctly.