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Old 02-03-2016, 04:20 AM   #1
navybanker
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Diesel Exhaust Fluid

I posted on the two major Duramax websites but don't think I did on this site. Some of this may help if you find yourself staring at the message "poor quality diesel exhaust fluid" and limp (speed limitations)mode in 99 miles. Later the check engine light came on with the code P2BAD. Dealer had the truck for two weeks and hopefully it is fixed after at least five parts and four regens. I have driven the truck 500 miles with no messages or CELs. I have my fingers crossed! The truck has 63,000 miles and everything was covered under warranty. The first thing the dealers are told to do is question the DEF quality. They may say you should only purchase from GM dealers. I filled with def at Flying J about 300 miles prior to the message. I was told initially that you shouldn't buy at truck stops. I did a lot of research on the web while the truck was being worked on. GM site explaining the emission systems (DPF and DEF) said fluid was available at GM dealers and most major truck stops!? GM site for service departments did say to question customer about the def quality and where it was purchased. This dealer didn't have a tool to test the DEF. This dealer now has one. It is a rather simple test of specific gravity similar to testing battery fluid. The dealer talked with GM techs about my vehicle and tried many things, including replacing two NOx sensors, diesel injector (9th injector) in DPF, DEF injector in exhaust pipe and computer update. They drained the DEF tank and replaced with "GM" DEF. Each time a part was replaced they performed a 'regeneration' which is burning the diesel exhaust "carbon" out of the DPF. They did provide a courtesy auto for my use at no charge. These systems are complicated! My dealer is a small one in a rural/farming area. The mechanic said most people in these parts delete the EGR, DPF and DEF systems which voids your warranties. Engineers feel free to correct any statements above.

I post this as some of you may run into this and it will save some time when taking your vehicle to the dealer! No Duramax bashing as Ford, Ram and diesel motorhomes are reporting this problem also. I don't think this problem is widespread but you need to be aware.
 
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:37 AM   #2
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I had all of my DEF sensors replaced in between 55-75,000 miles which finally seemed to take care of the problem. I also had the down pipe from the turbocharger to the exhaust due to a leak and vapor getting into the passenger cabin.
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:41 AM   #3
CORattler
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Thanks for the post. I've yet to have a DEF related issue and I buy mine at Wally World or major truck stops.
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Old 02-03-2016, 06:36 AM   #4
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Thanks for the post. I've yet to have a DEF related issue and I buy mine at Wally World or major truck stops.
Same here
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Old 02-03-2016, 07:59 AM   #5
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2014 with 85,000 miles and I buy my def at pilot fuel island in bulk for 2.79 per gallon. No trouble so far.
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Old 02-03-2016, 08:25 AM   #6
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Andy,that is a nice looking truck and Montana!!!
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Old 02-03-2016, 11:29 AM   #7
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The 11 and early 12 Duramax actually had bad NOX Sensors. The was a letter from GM, but it seems not everyone got it, as I know I didn't but was getting the "Poor DEF Quality" message. Finally got the local dealer to replace them and haven't had an issue since.
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Old 02-03-2016, 12:18 PM   #8
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A friend of mine with a '12 Duramax had the NOx code set. After talking with the local dealer, he removed and drained the DEF tank and refilled with new DEF from GM. He said he saw nothing unusual about the old DEF and no difference between it and the new. Has been about a month with out any further problems.
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Old 02-03-2016, 12:58 PM   #9
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As it is possible to get bad gas or diesel at the pump, I suppose it is also possible to get bad DEF at the pump. Probably not near as likely to get bad DEF from the jugs.
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Old 02-03-2016, 01:08 PM   #10
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Thanks Navybanker, we sure enjoy it and it wasn't a planned match, it just happened that way.
We have been one of the lucky ones and have had almost zero issues with ours, knock on wood.
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Old 02-03-2016, 02:49 PM   #11
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Funny this subject came up! I had a jug of Blue DEF sitting out at the farm that I had bought about a year and a half ago and I had some doubt about the quality of it. I called the company that distributes the Blue DEP and talked to their customer service people. I had the codes from the bottle and asked them if it was still good. He looked up the code and it was supposedly manufactured in 2012. I asked what the shelf life on the DEF is and he told me not to use any that was over two years old. Needless to say, I dumped it! IF YOU HAVE DOUBT ABOUT USING IT LOOK ON THE JUG FOR THE DISTRIBUTER AND CALL THEM! It could save you a tow bill and a trip to a dealer or mechanic and some big bucks along with it!
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Old 02-04-2016, 12:46 AM   #12
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Never have had an issue. Don't carry any. When I get the half full warning I have plenty of time and miles to pick up DEF
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Old 02-04-2016, 02:58 AM   #13
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I buy my DEF from high volume stores and always check the date on the jug. It's kind of cryptic but you can google the translation key.
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Old 02-04-2016, 03:43 AM   #14
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Our F350 rolled over 104K earlier this week. We have never used anything but Wally World stuff and have never had a problem. About a year ago we had a Ford program upgrade that seemed to mess up the accuracy of the sensor. A Ford dealer told us that you have to add at least 2-1/2 gallons of DEF to reset the sensor. Now when we get the 500 mile warning, we buy a jug and add it. We don't worry about having old stuff laying around and we don't worry that the tank is full. There have been several times that our tank won't take a full jug at the half full warning. That's why we use the 500 mile warning.
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Old 02-07-2016, 03:42 AM   #15
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I drive a GMC 2012 2500HD duramax. My brother in law is a GM dealer so he has been helpful with the issues with DEF. I had the bad DEF warning on a trip to NE at 85,000 miles last spring. The dealer had the truck for two weeks (I had to rent a vehicle and stay around during the fix). They ended up changing out the NOX sensors, which apparently has been quite common in the 2011's & 12's. Thought that fixed it until the warning came on again this winter on a trip out west (where I blew a tire-again-which is on the tire forum). I had just turned 100,000 miles. A terrific dealer got me right in and had to replace the DEF tank & sensor. All this has been under warranty. By the way, GM has extended the warranty, to 120,000 for glow plug issues, and apparently for the DEF issues. (per brother in law, I should be OK now as the issues I have had are most of the issues he has seen in his shop).
Have used DEF from all sources (Blue box. tractor supply, truck stops, etc), it has not been bad DEF; it has been GM issues with the DEF system.
This is my third duramax, had an 04 & 08-pre DEF-over 200,000 miles on each. They were good trucks, only issue was a turbo on the 08. I want to get another 100,000 out of this one, so hopefully the DEF issue is now solved.
Newer 15's & 16's do not seem to have the issues with the sensors.
That's my experience for what it is worth.
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Old 02-07-2016, 05:05 AM   #16
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We are at almost 120k on our 2012, and this is a late 2012, and the only issue we have had was a failed injector at about 85k. We have had zero issues with the DEF system, so maybe as was said, they solved the problem prior to building our rig.
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Old 02-07-2016, 12:20 PM   #17
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OK, not to argue but Ram dealer told me most DEF has a shelf life of 1 year. It possibly has sat on the shelf for 2 or 3 or even more months prior to your purchasing it. I was carrying a 2.5 gal jug in the rear of my Ram and couldn't tell you for how long. I no longer carry a spare. When I get around 1/4 or so on the gauge I purchase a jug and dump it in the tank immediately. No issue that way. Got this info when my problem message came on and dumped the jug that was in the rear of the truck into a 1/4 tank of DEF. After a few miles the message went away/cleared itself but prior to that I was in panic mode and called my dealer in Florida while I was in Michigan. Followed his directions poured in DEF and went on and finished trip with no further issues. Guess I was lucky but I no longer keep a jug in the truck unless I'm getting low.
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