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Old 10-07-2015, 03:45 AM   #1
dpam
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Blue DEF Expiry Date ?

I sent Blue DEF an email, but so far no response. Bought a box of Blue DEF from Walmart. On the box there is a date, but it does not say if the date is the manufacturing date or the expiry date. My understanding is that DEF could be less effective after 12 months. Does anyone know what the date on the box means?
 
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Old 10-07-2015, 06:28 AM   #2
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Got this from rvforum.com

Here is the secret to reading the expiration date on BlueDEF manufactured by Old World Industries LLC and sold under the PEAK Brand. Other manufacturers differ. I'm working on a complete library of date codes.

This BlueDEF information is from an email reply from PEAK Technical Services dated July 1, 2013 in response to my request for how to read the date code (after having a big leak problem with some old jugs I purchased at an auto parts store).

"The most important part of the batch code is the third through seventh numbers. There are always going to be two letters or numbers at the beginning of the code, which is the blending facility code, The third and fourth number of the code is the year +1. The fifth, sixth and seventh numbers of the code are the days left in the year, or reverse Julian date. So if the code says 257 for example, that would mean it was made on the 108th day of the year.. April 18th."


The date code on the BlueDEF box in my picture is

GA153590089

Lets break this down into 4 groups of numbers:

GA: The designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF
15: The year of manufacture plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2014
359: 365-359 = 6, so the 6th day of the year, or January 6th.
0089: The batch code.

So this box of DEF was made January 6th, 2014.

Specification life for DEF is 2 years at 75F or so. Stored properly, this DEF is good thru January 6th, 2016 (and probably longer).

Storage life is highly dependent on temperature. DEF stored at 85F only lasts 12 months. Storage above 95F (not unusual in an vehicle parked in the sun during the summer) is limited to 1 month or so. Reason: The urea in DEF decomposes and creates ammonia liquid and vapor in the jug, causing issues when you open it, and reducing the amount of urea in the DEF when it is used in the vehicle. Storage above 95F requires retest of the DEF prior to use (source: ISO 22241-3, most recent revision).

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/ind...?topic=73092.0
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Old 10-07-2015, 08:51 AM   #3
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I have been using peak blue def from Walmart since I bought our truck. Purchase when my commuter flashes the half full alarm. Have never had an issue re old DEF.
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Old 10-07-2015, 10:49 AM   #4
dpam
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Fire5er, thank you for the detailed information. Actually I just got a reply from the DEF distributor. They sent me the same information that you outlined. I was a bit concerned about whether my DEF expired, or not. On a trip a few weeks ago I received a message on my truck display that there was a problem with the quality of the DEF. I bought a new jug of DEF and added it,and a short time later the message went away, but then came back. I took the truck to a GMC dealer and they said the sensors were bad and replaced them under a special provision that GM put in place. The cost to replace the sensors would be $750 00, but they were covered by GM's special policy( I guess they knew the original sensors fail). I had no charge for the sensors, but they charged me $150.00 to install software updates, because my warranty expired. So, after seeing the message that DEF can be poor quality I want to ensure that future DEF that I purchase will be satisfactory for a lot of months before it expires.
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Old 10-07-2015, 12:11 PM   #5
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Call 'em and ask them.
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Old 10-07-2015, 12:36 PM   #6
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If concerned, fill at a busy truck stop, they have def pumps
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Old 10-07-2015, 05:57 PM   #7
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I love the new engines and the power they get. but I'll stick with my old Blue Tek and no DEF additive.
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Old 10-08-2015, 04:30 PM   #8
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The problem filling at a truck stop is they are high pressure pumps and have the large nozzles like the diesel pumps. If I tried to fill my DEF tank there I'd have it all over the engine and the ground since my filler pipe is under the hood and it will only take the DEF slowly. I've even had the problem of it overflowing because I tried to put the DEF in to fast. That is one thing that Chevy and GMC have a problem with. I've asked the dealers why and they have no answer for me. Sure wish it was on the side like the Fords and Dodges!
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Old 10-08-2015, 05:08 PM   #9
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The easy way to fill from a truck stop, is, save one or two of those 2 1/2 gallon jugs, fill those at the truck stop, then fill the DEF tank from the jugs. Much easier than the potential for a mess and cleanup at a truck island.
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Old 10-09-2015, 01:32 PM   #10
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Thanks Bob! I'll throw in a couple of the old jugs on our next trip or maybe fill them before leaving at a local truck stop before leaving. I keep two of them in the front storage area on the Monte with 6 ft. bungee cords attached to fill with water and clip them to the awning when on the road too. I can always find space for a couple more of the jugs and keep them in the TV in front of the hitch too! I hate spilling the DEF even with the 2 1/2 gallon jugs.
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Old 10-12-2015, 06:37 AM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Rondo

That is one thing that Chevy and GMC have a problem with. I've asked the dealers why and they have no answer for me. Sure wish it was on the side like the Fords and Dodges!
Two reasons GM's DEF fill tube located under the hood.

1. The DEF tank is located under the passenger seat where it's easier/cheaper to route the fill tube to its present location.

2. No chance or should I say LESS chance of accidentally putting DEF in the fuel or vice versa when the fill tubes are located next to each other.

I know it's happened across our continent where DEF has been put into the fuel tank with catastrophic results to the fuel system.

Personally... I like it located under the hood for reason #2.
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Old 10-12-2015, 07:31 AM   #12
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I prefer my Ford location.
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Old 10-12-2015, 03:01 PM   #13
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Hi

I use to haul the stuff to sewer lift stations before it was required in Diesels. It contains water and chicken manure. How can it get any worse that when it is first made? LOL

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