Ram DEF Issue's

[AZHUNTER05]

So I have a 2013 Ram 2500 that's having issues with the DEF system. A few weeks back I was coming back from a camping trip and I was running low on DEF fluid so I stopped in Payson and picked some up. I then drove back to the valley with no problems. The next week I'm heading up to do some scouting and the limp mode on my truck comes on stating I have 200 miles left before my truck runs at 5mph. Luckily I was almost to where I was going and made it home with miles to spare.

 

Due to an issue I had last summer I figured the def fluid went bad in the extreme heat we had a few weeks back, so I pumped out the fluid and refilled it. I start my truck in hopes it would reset the limp mode and nothing. After doing some research online I found that at 100 degrees DEF fluid goes bad in one month (sealed). So I go and buy a DEF fluid tester and test what's in my truck.......it's bad! So I go back pickup some more DEF fluid test it before putting it in my truck and it's good. However, it's not resetting the limp mode. I know have an appointment with the dealer to get it looked at and to have some recalls done.

 

Does anyone else have this problem with DEF fluid going bad in their trucks or am I the only one? I see thousands of people on the internet complaining about the issues with even brand new trucks, but everyone I know that owns one doesn't have an issue. This is my first diesel and I'm at the point that I might sell it and by a gas truck if I have to deal with every time it heats up.

 

I'm curious to see if anyone else has this problem and if so were you able to fix it?

[HNTNGUY]

Take the DEF and EGR out of it. It will run like a whole new truck!

[AZHUNTER05]

Take the DEF and EGR out of it. It will run like a whole new truck!

Will it pass emissions if I do that? I

[el diablo]

If you ran it real low on DEF make sure u fill it all the way up. I had the same issue on my f250 when I ran it real low. The DEF crap sucks!

[AZHUNTER05]

It was just under half full. I normally fill it at 1/4 tank, so I'm not sure what's up.

[oz31p]

All construction equipment made since 2013 runs it. No issues with bad def due to "extreme "heat.

 

 

The whole system consists of cheap components. And most def components are made by one or two company's. They all have issues but none are heat related.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Of course deleting the def system is the best fix but illegal. So one thing I read when researching trucks before buying was the def issues. One way to help with any issues is to keep the def tank full at all times, fluid crystallizes when exposed to oxygen so the more air in the tank the more chance of crystallization. Worked for me so far.

I do still need to get in for the recall,

What by chance is your recall????

[Hoss50]

If you can get away with it, delete kit.

 

I purposely bought a pre 2007.5 truck so I had the 5.9l cummins without any DEF, EGR, or PDF crap on it. I plan to run this truck until it falls apart or I find another low mile 2007 or earlier. My dad picked up a nice 2006 cummins last year with 70,000 miles on it.

 

I know they may not be as nice as the newer stuff, but they are much easier and cheaper to work on.

[AZHUNTER05]

All construction equipment made since 2013 runs it. No issues with bad def due to "extreme "heat.

 

Do some research, it happens in extreme cold conditions as well.

 

 

 

The whole system consists of cheap components. And most def components are made by one or two company's. They all have issues but none are heat related.

[dse]

Just had a 2013 Cummins that kept doing the same thing. Dealer reset it a few times and said I had bad Def. It got more common till I couldn't get 100 miles from the dealership before it would be going in to limp mode again. They put some sensor in it and it did it again. They ended up replacing the Def pump. Seems to have worked. Something about not pumping consistent pressure and making bubbles in the fluid or some crap.

[AZHUNTER05]

Just had a 2013 Cummins that kept doing the same thing. Dealer reset it a few times and said I had bad Def. It got more common till I couldn't get 100 miles from the dealership before it would be going in to limp mode again. They put some sensor in it and it did it again. They ended up replacing the Def pump. Seems to have worked. Something about not pumping consistent pressure and making bubbles in the fluid or some crap.

This is good information! Thank you very much!

[Hoss50]

My bOSS has the Jeep Grand Cherokee that has the small diesel in it like the current Ram 1500. It isn't the same motoras yours, but I know dodge is having issues with the DEF pumps on those too. He drove a loaner for about 3 weeks because the pump was on backorder.

[el diablo]

If you can get away with it, delete kit.

 

I purposely bought a pre 2007.5 truck so I had the 5.9l cummins without any DEF, EGR, or PDF crap on it. I plan to run this truck until it falls apart or I find another low mile 2007 or earlier. My dad picked up a nice 2006 cummins last year with 70,000 miles on it.

 

I know they may not be as nice as the newer stuff, but they are much easier and cheaper to work on.

Exact same truck I just let go and starting to regret it already. I bought it new in 07 and only had 120k mi on it. Never an issue with that thing

[ctracingraptor]

There are lots of issues with def pumps, running them till empty creates so many crystal in the tank, it causes premature failure. Wherever you read that def goes bad at 100 degrees is a lie. All of our def is sitting in 55 gallon barrel and is subject to the heat 120+ and we never had a issue with quality.

[Tac]

all the new diesels are using it is not really any more of a problem than other emissions on all vehicles. It is in its learning stage just like 1980's gasoline engines.

there are growing pains with all new technology.

 

I own a 2012 ford diesel and have done the def level sensor and a exhaust back pressure sensor I have about 50,000 miles on it.

I,m a auto technician and compared to the problems I see with other cars and truck these are minor.

The biggest problem I think is the mindset that my diesels should run 300,000 miles with no problems. The engines will with proper care the emissions systems are where the problems occur. These new engines are more powerful and the vehicles are more comfortable and costly to repair.