What does DEF do for diesel?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a solution of urea and water that's injected into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to turn NOx gases (harmful emissions) into nitrogen and water. This system is called a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) implemented by vehicle manufacturers to meet EPA emissions standards in 2010.

What happens if you don't put DEF in your truck?

If you ignore the DEF warning the truck will cease to work. Some diesel engine manufacturers allow the engine to go into reduced power mode so the truck can “limp home” or limit the number of times you can turn the engine over.

Can you pee in your DEF tank?

Please do not urinate in your DEF tank, the SCR system will be damaged and it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. Here at Transliquid Technologies we specialize in providing the best quality of Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

Why do diesels need DEF?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a non-hazardous solution, which is 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. DEF is sprayed into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to break down dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water.

What happens if you don't put DEF in diesel tank?

Typically, if DEF is introduced to the fuel tank, the truck will run poorly or even fail to start. Repairs to the fuel system can be costly. Components that have been contaminated with DEF will show crystallization after drying for a few hours as seen in Photo 1.

How much does DEF cost?

DEF, available at most service stations for $6 to $10 per gallon, is a fluid consisting of urea and deionized water in a 1:2 solution. It's contained in a reservoir separate from the fuel tank and is metered into the engine's exhaust stream to control certain emissions.

What does Blue def?

BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid is a mixture of high purity synthetic urea and deionized water that is used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems in diesel vehicles. DEF is used to help convert NOx to harmless nitrogen and water.

Is DEF made from urine?

DEF is a mixture of (typically) 2/3 deionized water and 1/3 urea. It's carefully regulated by the American Petroleum Institute. Technically, urea is derived from one of the byproducts of urine. But it's synthetically made, so no cats are ever harmed in the production of the fluid.

Is DEF made from pig urine?

Urea is an organic compound produced when a body metabolizes protein. (And yes, we expel it as urine.) But despite DEF earning the nickname “pig urine,” Diesel Exhaust Fluid is actually made of commercial-grade urea—synthetic ammonia and carbon.

Can DEF be used as fertilizer?

DEF is essentially 48-0-0 as a fertilizer. "32" is not urea, it's urea ammonium nitrate, which is a different thing. (If you were fertilizing something in a garden, for its proper nutrition, you'd need to add other substances to the "DEF" to create the right mixture.

How does a DEF system work?

Small quantities of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) are injected into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst, where it vaporizes and decomposes to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia (NH3) is the desired product which in conjunction to the SCR catalyst, converts the NOx to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).

Is Blue DEF cow urine?

Contrary to popular myth, cow and bat urine and DEF are not a thing. The urea used in the manufacture of DEF is synthetically derived from ammonia and carbon dioxide, and urea production plants are often adjacent to other sites where ammonia is produced, such as coal and natural gas refineries.

Why is there a DEF shortage?

Skyrocketing natural gas prices in the EU have driven up manufacturing costs, significantly increasing the cost of DEF. Chinese and Russian Restrictions – China, a key supplier of urea, has restricted exports to curb domestic shortages.

Can you use water instead of DEF fluid?

Subject: RE: Anyone replace DEF with water? Water won't hurt the system but it will de-rate you pretty quick. ECM compares NOx values pre/post, if conversion is low it will start throwing codes and will eventually derate.

Is it illegal to bypass DEF system?

It is illegal to remove or inoperable an emission control device from a motor vehicle under the EPA Clean Air Act.

Can you delete DEF on Cummins?

A DEF Delete Service for your Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke diesel engine from Revolution Motors will remove this system so your truck is running at peak efficiency and performance. Trucks with the DEF delete install can improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%.

Does DEF help fuel economy?

DEF has been shown to improve fuel economy by about 5%, and uses the diesel fuel more efficiently. You won't have to refill your DEF tank every time you fill up with fuel. Typically, the consumption rate is 2% to 4% of diesel consumption.

Why is DEF needed?

DEF is a requirement for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with diesel engines produced after 2010. The vehicle is programmed to inject the DEF into the exhaust stream to meet emissions requirements. If the vehicle is allowed to run out of DEF, the engine performance will be reduced, and lower speeds are imposed.

What happens if you overfill DEF fluid?

If it is “capped off” by overfilling, the DEF within the tube crystalizes. Crystalized DEF prevents air from entering the tank. This means the pump can't move the fluid out of the tank and do its job of breaking down the NOx. Habitual capping off chokes engine performance.

Is DEF fluid urea?

It's called Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). This additive is also called aqueous urea solution 32% or AUS 32. It's made from 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water.

How much DEF does a DuRamax use?

The 2018 Chevy DuRamax employs a diesel engine equipped with 7.5 liters of DEF or diesel exhaust fluid in a separate reservoir separate from the gas tank.

What is a DEF head?

Essentially, the DEF head monitors the DEF system. The DEF head communicates the quality (or concentration of urea) of the fluid is within spec. It relates that there is, in fact, DEF in the tank (quantity). This part also reports the temperature of the DEF is in a safe range.

Does DEF go bad?

Because it doesn't include any preservatives, DEF does come with a shelf life. The good news is, it's a fairly long shelf life; DEF can usually be stored up to one year without any issues.

How much DEF does a 2021 Duramax use?

The DEF tank on vehicles equipped with the Duramax LML is approximately 5 gallons in size and is designed to last around 5,000 miles of driving before requiring a refill. On Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks, the DEF tank fill is located under the hood on the passenger side near the firewall.

Can DEF freeze?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF Fluid

Whether in storage tanks or in equipment, DEF can freeze and possibly cause issues. As temperatures drop below 12°F, DEF will begin to solidify and not work as intended.