Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Thanks very much. These were the answers I was interested in.

Mike is correct-- I went back and corrected my post, adding the 2010 year model-- there were TWO significant year changes that could affect your buying decision.

2007 and 20010.

Since you list Mazatlan in your signature, I suspect being able to operate on LSD vs ULSD is an issue, since ULSD is not widely available in Mexico.

For many diesels, the addition of a particulate filter to meet the 2007 standards required the use of ULSD.

And, yes, all those using DEF also require ULSD.

Earlier posts were wrong about the timing. There were two recent phases of emission reductions -- one starting in 2007, then another in 2010. It was the second of these (affecting engines manufactured starting in 2010) that most engine manufacturers met with a DEF system. Because of the lag between engines, chassis, and coaches, you could easily have a 2010 or even some 2011's with a 2009 engine, thus no DEF.

Def is no big deal. They use about 2% of fuel and don't require filling very often but can be a pain to fill at the pump. The slight improvement in mpg offsets cost of the def.
Good luck
pointrow

Def is no big deal. They use about 2% of fuel and don't require filling very often but can be a pain to fill at the pump. The slight improvement in mpg offsets cost of the def.
Good luck
pointrow

Hi,

I would be looking at Alpine Coach and Country Coach. They are both top of the line, and if you are looking at 1997 - 2006, you can not go wrong with either of them. They put in larger diesel engines to meet the needs of west coast owners, who live close to huge mountain passes, and will pay more for a larger engine.

Try to stay away from anything with a 5.9L Cummins. Cummins is a great engine, just the 5.9L in such a large motorhome is kinda over worked. The 8.3L is more sized for a RV. I think that other sizes are 10.4L in a CAT engine, and some are built with Detroit and other brands of engines.

Remember that if your engine starts to lose power, change the fuel filter, and see if that improves things. If it starts to overheat, wash the radiator and other coils with a garden hose! Do this every year, and you probably will not overheat. . .

Good luck!

Fred.

The substantially stiffer emissions requirements for diesels went into effect for engines produced after 1/1/07. The next significant stiffer level was 1/1/2010. Note, this is the engine build date, and many chassis makers bought well ahead. So, it is possible to find a 2008 or perhaps even a 2009 (and 2010 and 2011 for the 2010 engines) that does not meet (or need to meet) these standards.

And, as Scott said, not all engine manufacturers used the same techniques for meeting the standards. Indeed even within a particular manufacturer not all engine necessarily used the same techniques for meeting the standards.

There was no specific year it was required (and in reality, it still isn't). From around the year 2007 some manufacturers started using DEF technology to meet new emissions requirements. The fed requirements are purely for emissions levels and not for a method of achieving them. Cummins for example was able to meet some requirements without using active EGR and then DEF while others had to use them in order to meet the same standards. Later the levels got even more stringent so Cummins was forced to use those technologies.
But it would not be accurate to say that all diesel engines of 07 or 08 used DEF though that's the time it started being common.
Is that clear as mud? ;)