My turn for DEF!!! 😒

[DutchmenSport]

At 117,000 miles, "IT" finally happened. I got the message on my dash that said "DEF quality poor. In 93 miles max speed will drop to 65 mph."

Luckily, I had another jug of DEF in the back of the pick-up truck. I added it all. Continued driving and about 15 minutes later, the message went off, but the Check Engine light came on.

I ran it by my local GM auto mechanic this morning and the code came back its the Nitrous Oxide sensor that's erroring out. My mechanic said I can continue driving it, but the error is still active and the message will probably come back. It will continue to come back and each time, the max speed will drop a bit. But, it's still drivable.

So, I'm planning on having them fix the problem this Thursday. (Maybe).... my Montana is in the shop getting new leaf springs, bearings repacked, new brakes, and 2 new batteries. All parts are now "in" and work should have started today (finally), and they said it would probably take only 1 day to do it all once they start the work. So hopefully, we'll get the camper back before Thursday (so I can tow the trailer back home), before dropping off the truck. The last thing I want is the truck to be completely unavailable when the trailer is done and then I have to wait even longer to get the camper home because the truck being worked on.

Sheesh! OK, so the dreaded "DEF" "thing" finally got me by the throat. But, still, I'm not complaining, after 117,000 miles, I suppose I can expect something need to be fixed.

 

[Mark77]

Wish you well as your truck ages! I finally gave up, spent about 2K and the problem is now gone forever! I just don't need to be worried about those issues when I am hundreds of miles from my home shop and the ability to sort it out.

Does kind of stink around the right rear end of the truck now though. I do miss not smelling the exhaust.

 

[BB_TX]

There are federal and state laws governing modifying emissions systems. Violators can be fined. And also a punishable offense for selling or trading a vehicle with modified emissions system. So pretty much stuck with keeping it in working order. Unless, as Eastwood would say, “you feeling lucky?”

If the dealer has the part they should make you an appointment and do that in half a day’s time. Maybe even while you wait.

 

[Mark77]

Trading modified is not a problem where I live. They are happy to have them.

"Corrected" trucks are all over the place, even on really big YouTube channels where people are towing big 5'ers. They don't advertise it, but they have some pretty "throaty" sounding trucks and that isn't OEM folks!

Of course I would not advise anyone to do this, only saying it is for sure an option. Kits are readily available.

 

[daboom11]

There are federal and state laws governing modifying emissions systems. Violators can be fined. And also a punishable offense for selling or trading a vehicle with modified emissions system. So pretty much stuck with keeping it in working order. Unless, as Eastwood would say, “you feeling lucky?”

If the dealer has the part they should make you an appointment and do that in half a day’s time. Maybe even while you wait.

This DEF is going away according to the new admin! Yay

 

[daboom11]

Trading modified is not a problem where I live. They are happy to have them.

"Corrected" trucks are all over the place, even on really big YouTube channels where people are towing big 5'ers. They don't advertise it, but they have some pretty "throaty" sounding trucks and that isn't OEM folks!

Of course I would not advise anyone to do this, only saying it is for sure an option. Kits are readily available.

My son in law deleated his 6.7 and it 10 times more powerful than mine, and gets better mileage.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Speculative Question: if the DEF stuff goes away…will “deletes” get more expensive due to higher demand, or will the service cost less?

I am not sure what a delete costs now - but I would guess $2500 or so.

 

[BB_TX]

Don’t count on DEF going away any time soon. First it will require a major change to federal and state emissions requirements. Then it will require all diesel vehicle manufacturers to redesign their engines and emissions components to operate in a non DEF world. That will not happen overnight. And for how long? Until the next presidential election????

 

[DeanV]

After a number of codes and service DEF messages over the past couple of years, I corrected the problem So relaxing to pull the 5th wheel and not have to worry about my truck derating in the middle of nowhere. Done correctly it sounds very close to stock. Added bonus, oil is not instantly black anymore.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Update...
Well, my Montana is STILL in the shop (3 weeks now) and all the parts have been "in" since Monday (Today is Friday). So, I postponed the repair on the truck until Tuesday the 12th. I know if the sensor is bad, it's probably an easy fix. But I just want to make sure when that camper work is all done, I'll be able to get it home without any more delay. So ... let's see. Meanwhile, I'm really getting antsy with my repair shop. I'm using BISH out of Anderson, Indiana.

A comment about DEF disappearing some day ... my son-in-law AND my daughter both work at the chemical plant near Sioux City, Iowa that actually manufactures DEF. They work in two totally different areas. She's a nuts and bolts mechanic, and he's an electrical mechanic. Evidently, this plant is quite an organization. I've never seen it and they process much more than DEF there. So, I (personally) hope that the need for DEF does not disappear too soon!

 

[DutchmenSport]

Another Update.
It's never ending is? .... Got the camper back form the shop yesterday (Saturday, Aug 9) and all is well .... almost!

All the expected fixes are ok. New leaf springs, new brakes, bearings repacked, alignment, and 2 new batteries. Yep, a bit over $2000 for everything. So when I went to pick it up, the tech wanted to tork the lug nuts one more time. OK, no problem, but I also had a chance to talk to him and while he was finishing up, I noticed a chunk of rubber missing from one tire. Yikes.

This is the front tire on the passenger side of the camper. Then we started talking about tires and he recommended I replace the others also. Now one of them was replaced the week-end of July 4 after my blow-out in Iowa. So, the tire I put on about 2 years ago is the one that had the chunk missing out of it on the same side as the blow out, and the other 2 on the drivers side has signs of dry rot on the side walls. They are at least 6 years old now.

Well, I got the camper home, no problem towing with the truck with the check engine light still on, and I suppose I'll get the truck into the shop on Monday now and see if they can get to it a little earlier. Meanwhile, I need figure out the best and easiest way to get the tires for the camper. I running on Hercules. My spare is the original that came with the camper. It's time to get it swapped out too.

 

[RMcNeal]

If your newest existing tire isn't aged out already, I'd make that the spare and put 4 new ones on. I order mine from Simple Tire. I've been using nothing but Sailun since new. I would think you could get the Hercules from Simple Tire too though if you'd prefer them.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Went to Belle Tire in Anderson this morning and talked to them. They don't have Hercules tires in stalk and would have to order them, (IF) they can get them at all. (shortage???? who knows?) But they did have Carlisle's in stock and ready to go.

Took the truck to the shop yesterday for the DEF sensor and need to wait to get it back, then will take the camper in for the tires. Going to get 4 tires, and yes, swap out the new Hercules and put it on the spare and have all 4 new Carlisles on the ground.

So, I wait... yet again ... It never ends.

The good thing about it all is the fact we are not traveling anywhere at the moment. I am accomplishing a lot of things at the house right now, and seems everything is popping a $2000 to $4000 bill, between previous fixes for the dually, repairs at the house, suprises that hit us, and new tires for the Chevy Colorado and needed 50,000 mile maintenance items that took an unexpected "whak" at the bill-fold also.

OK, the madness has to stop so I can do a couple minor fixes on the camper and begin to prep it for another 4 and 1/2 month stay over in Louisiana.

 

[RMcNeal]

If you figure out how to make it stop, please post detailed instructions. Pictures too, if you can. We need some relief as well.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Got the truck back earlier today.... and before I even got home, the "check engine" light came on again. I drove it straight back to the repair shop. The plugged in the "reader" and said it was an undefined error occurring now. The truck was drivable though. So, I took it back home again, as I already made arrangements for those new tires on the Montana tomorrow (Friday) and need the truck to tow it with.

So, tomorrow (Friday), I'll take the trailer in for the tires, get them done and get the camper back home, and then head straight back over to my Chevy repair shop for another "check engine light." .... I certainly hope this event is a no-charge! But, probably not!

Meanwhile, we got our new shed, I got the old shed rebuilt, I got that rack for the spare tire under the trailer freed up and new a new bolt in it, I'm still in a little delimna how to fix the damage under the trailer from the tire blow out on July 4, but have a plan in the works, and still making plans to be back in Louisiana on September 29. However, my wife is now having a new set of procedures done on her back and it may still delay our return to the "South Land!"

It seems there is more fighting us (or discouraging us) from heading back to Louisiana, or maybe it's just a test of whits! But, I'm not giving up, but my bill fold may give up the ghost first if this stuff continues!

 

[DutchmenSport]

Truck is still in the shop, (yes, all this time). My poor camper feels abandoned without it's counter part to "hitch up" to??? That poor girl want to "go, go, go" and got no-one to take her!

Anyway, gave the dealership a call just a bit ago, since it's Friday and they are closed Saturday and Sunday, and found out they have narrowed down my problem to the "Knock Sensor."

I've never heard of that before. I had to look it up on the internet. They think it's just the sensor, evidently there are 2 of them so they are (probably) going to swap both out. The guy doing the actual work is PTO today and will confirm everything on Monday.

Makes me wonder if that $1500 bill for all that work they did (something on the turbo) was really necessary now.

He did say, this problem would trigger the DEF light and DEF warnings to activate. And, one reason it took so long was because they were not allowing the engine to warm up enough from cold. So, one of their techs drove it on company errands and botta-bing, botta-boom! The check engine light came on again giving them the error messages this time, that made sense.

Time will tell.

Well, our return trip to Audubon State Park (Oakley Plantation) near St. Francisville, Louisiana is NOT going to happen yet. We were planning on leaving Indiana on September 12, but because of medical issues with my wife, tests, and now a possible surgery, we'll have to wait. Our original arrival date was September 29. I'm pretty sure this will be delayed also.

Their park manager retired after 35 (plus) years of service to the state of Louisiana, they lost one of their receptionists due to retirement and decided to return to family in Ohio, and they lost one of their tour guides who just wanted to finally quite. (down 3 people). In addition, the Mississippi River Boat cruises are gearing up again now, as they pick up beginning in October, and they still scheduled for their Revolutionary War Reenactment on October 25.

In the past, I did blacksmithing during this event. I certainly hope we'll be there in time this year!

 

[scottandsusan]

"Knock Sensor."
Yeah, when one of the Nox sensors go bad the aftertreatment doesn't know what's going on. Hopefully replacing those will fix your issues.

 

[R.S.O'Donnell]

One of the nice things about areas where they have emissions testing is the shops are rarely left scratching their heads. We live in SoCal and I just had my DEF injector replaced at 129,000. They diagnosed it in ten minutes. I was in and out in 45.