AdBlue/DEF...

Flying J Service Plaza's have this fluid available at the pump in a lot of locations nationwide. They are adding locations almost daily...

Cost is around $2.75 per gallon.

Walmart sells it by the bottle....

Bill

CalDrvr said:

Cost is around $2.75 per gallon.

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Great price.

Anyone know if it meets specs? Warranty issues are always a concern.

Bill

AFAIK, DEF is DEF. Maybe someone else knows more about it.

Bill

Make sure it meets VW spec otherwise your emissions equipment will be destroyed!!!!!

DEF carries an API certification, not a VW spec. 40X40 is correct, DEF is DEF.

May be a dumb question, but I'm still learning...

Would this be added to the fuel system just like an additive?

740GLE said:

Make sure it meets VW spec otherwise your emissions equipment will be destroyed!!!!!

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Good grief.

DEF is DEF is DEF.

T.J.K. said:

May be a dumb question, but I'm still learning...

Would this be added to the fuel system just like an additive?

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No. There is a separate tank for DEF.

Your 2010 Jetta doesn't use it. Do not add it to your fuel tank.

VeeDubTDI said:

No. There is a separate tank for DEF.

Your 2010 Jetta doesn't use it. Do not add it to your fuel tank.

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Awesome, now I look like a genius! lol.

Sorry, i guess my sarcasm was a bit weak, i ment my comment as a joke.

But i'm sure someone here will state they get better MPGs or have to fill up the DFE less when using the stuff they bought at the dealer.

I figured there was some sarcasm in there... just covering bases in case noobs thought you were serious.

740GLE said:

Sorry, i guess my sarcasm was a bit weak, i ment my comment as a joke.

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It was pretty obvious to me!

Look on the new class 8 vehicles(tractor trailer)-a fairly new Kenworth backed in next to me today and I noticed a tank w/ blue cap-cap had "DEF" imprinted on it,then I noticed the tank had "Diesel Exhaust Fluid" molded directly into tank just above cap-the fill cap was located about 2/3 of the way up from bottom on the side. Looks like tank would hold 20-25 gallons. Next time I see driver I'll ask him how often he fills it. I don't see any of those DEF pumps at smaller stations...yet.

tdidieselbobny said:

Look on the new class 8 vehicles(tractor trailer)-a fairly new Kenworth backed in next to me today and I noticed a tank w/ blue cap-cap had "DEF" imprinted on it,then I noticed the tank had "Diesel Exhaust Fluid" molded directly into tank just above cap-the fill cap was located about 2/3 of the way up from bottom on the side. Looks like tank would hold 20-25 gallons. Next time I see driver I'll ask him how often he fills it. I don't see any of those DEF pumps at smaller stations...yet.

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Been noticing alot more OTR trucks with DEF tanks.

Paccar (Peterbilt & Kenworth) trucks come with either 9, 18, or 27 gallon DEF tanks based on total fuel capacity. The EPA mandate was that the DEF tank be sized such that it had a minimum capacity to allow two full fuel fill-ups for every DEF fill-up. The original estimations were based on 5% DEF usage relative to diesel consumed. Actual usage is closer to 2% DEF on Cummins powered units. Thus they can come closer to filling up the DEF tank every third fill-up with diesel. However, keep in mind that DEF dosing is not linear and could vary based on levels of NOx produced.

With regards to the comment that DEF is DEF is DEF, most folks don't know how true that is. DEF is comprised of 32.5% Urea and 67.5% deionized water. Nothing else. Approximately 1 tablespoon of contaminant will corrupt a batch of 4800 gallons of DEF to the point that is no longer pure enough to meet the ISO 22241-1 requirements.

Craneguru said:

Paccar (Peterbilt & Kenworth) trucks come with either 9, 18, or 27 gallon DEF tanks based on total fuel capacity. The EPA mandate was that the DEF tank be sized such that it had a minimum capacity to allow two full fuel fill-ups for every DEF fill-up. The original estimations were based on 5% DEF usage relative to diesel consumed. Actual usage is closer to 2% DEF on Cummins powered units. Thus they can come closer to filling up the DEF tank every third fill-up with diesel. However, keep in mind that DEF dosing is not linear and could vary based on levels of NOx produced.

With regards to the comment that DEF is DEF is DEF, most folks don't know how true that is. DEF is comprised of 32.5% Urea and 67.5% deionized water. Nothing else. Approximately 1 tablespoon of contaminant will corrupt a batch of 4800 gallons of DEF to the point that is no longer pure enough to meet the ISO 22241-1 requirements.

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Thanks for the info!

Is it just me or does this DEF stuff sound expensive and easy to contaminate?

Yes...it's just you...DEF, per mile, is very cheap. If you only use a sealed container, and fill the DEF tank properly, there's little chance for contamination.

tdiatlast said:

If you only use a sealed container, and fill the DEF tank properly, there's little chance for contamination.

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Is that the blue handle or the green handle? Or does handle color not matter?

procupine14 said:

Is it just me or does this DEF stuff sound expensive and easy to contaminate?

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Must be just you - DEF certainly isn't expensive!

and comes in a resealable container.

Would the system know if you filled the DEF tank with distilled water...?

dieselfuel said:

Would the system know if you filled the DEF tank with distilled water...?

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You better believe it.

I have a digital DEF refractometer for verifying DEF quality. There is a range that the urea needs to be maintained within, and YES the car will know.

Off the top of my head, the minimum is 31% maximum 34% by volume.

This will vary slightly as the water in the tank evaporates, if the solution becomes too strong (34%) this can overload the catalyst.

Mercedes requires that the tank be purged and re-filled every 2 years regardless of mileage. The reason is the water can evaporate and throw off the solutions balance.

I use the digital refractometer to keep the solution at 32.5 and avoid having to blindly dump the system in case my consumption is low. I will add de-ionized water to bring the solution back down to 32.5% and press on.

Truck stops are installing the pumps at the fuel pumps now. I topped off a few months ago, price per gallon was less than windshield solvent, and I used less DEF than I do window washer solution...Approx 1300 miles per gallon on the ML average over this past summer.

$13 for 5 gallons and change...

how will the system *know*that DEF is not present?

I read somewhere (??) that temp sensors or O2 sensors pick up on the effect of DEF in the NOx system. So if you put water in, it knows it.

no, it knows the *effect*. How long will that take?

DPM said:

no, it knows the *effect*. How long will that take?

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I say, "Bring on the Skyactiv-D" and forget the DEF already.

df

DPM said:

how will the system *know*that DEF is not present?

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There is a NOx sensor right after the SCR, it will know immediately that DEF is not in the system by virtue of elevated NOx output.

dieselfuel said:

I say, "Bring on the Skyactiv-D" and forget the DEF already.

df

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And regress to a less efficient design that utilizes a ton of EGR and post injection? No thanks.