Dodge RAM 3500 freezing up?

[vipermanden]

I have had my Ram 3500 long bed dually out in the elements for the last week, where the days had highs of 36 degrees, and lows of 17 degrees. So we drove to Reno today for about 3 hours in 45 degree temps, and after about 2.5 hours, the windshield washer fluid finally worked, but then I noticed a strong diesel smell, that I otherwise never smell from these new trucks, and I was wondering if the DEF tank also froze up, and was not doing it's job correctly? Any thoughts on this?

[JABURKHOLDER]

As far as the washer fluid goes, use de-icer washer fluid. Good to -25. DEF fluid can freeze but the tank for that should have a heater. At least my Ford does. As for the "diesel" smell, fuel not being burned completely. Possible fuel gelling, but don't think your temps are cold enough for that. Could try a cetane booster with antigelling agents fuel additive.
JMHO

[MARK A]

I don't think there's any way your fuel gelled at 45* I've been down close to 0 with no issue.

Mark

[JABURKHOLDER]

quote:Originally posted by MARK A

I don't think there's any way your fuel gelled at 45* I've been down close to 0 with no issue.

Mark

Nothing personal Mark, his low temps were 17 degrees. I only suggested gelling as a possibility but didn't think those temps were cold enough. I only mentioned the additive as a prevention.
Again, nothing personal. JMHO

[tomNtrisha]

That smell is the engine going through the cycle to clean out the exhaust system .
Tom Happy Camping#128526;

[dhenry3]

I agree with Tom. The truck went into a re gen mode to clean out the exhaust filter. This will happen every so often and on a RAM it should put a message on the info center saying it has started.

[vipermanden]

Cool to know about the exhaust cleaning cycle, I had no idea it did this. Today i started it at 25 degrees, and you could put your nose right up to the exhaust pipe. It has a faint bleach type smell. Thanks for the tips. I use straight water in my windshield reservoir, because I use Rain-X on my windshield. Does the anti-freeze smear up the windows if you are using rain-X? If not, then I will definitely start mixing it in. Thanks

[kenneth e holman]

You shouldn't have any problem with the wiper fluid being mixed with rain-x. Just be sure to add enough of the low temperature wiper fluid to give you plenty of freeze protection. If your protection is 32 degrees and your new wiper fluid is -25 degrees then a 50/50 mix would put you at about + 3 DEGREES. Any colder than that and i'm staying home lol.

[Tfthorp]

use the RainX washer fluid works great.

[WeBeFulltime]

quote:Originally posted by Tfthorp

use the RainX washer fluid works great.

I also use this.

[mlh]

I have RainX washer fluid but it's only good to 32 degrees so be careful with that.
Lynwood

[BB_TX]

RainX comes in different flavors, including All Season good to -25.

[kenneth e holman]

I have noticed when traveling that the Wal-marts in the deep south like where i am in Texas has only 32 degree wiper fluid and pretty well anywhere north it is 0 degrees or less.

[Zak]

Don't know if you got to the bottom of this, but your def pump froze. Exact same thing and observations when mine went at slightly colder temps three weeks later than yours. My buddy is the cummins tech at the dealer and he said dozens of 2016s came in during January....all with failed def pumps. Hope yours is ok...maybe have them check the codes in case it's a bad one and get replaced while under warranty.