Forum Discussion

dave17352's avatar
dave17352
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014

Chevy Duramax DEF issues

I have been following a thread recently on duramaxforum.com which is following people that have had DEF problems with their 2011 and newer chevy duramax trucks. I happen to be one of them. My truck is in the shop for the second time, first time they replaced the NOX sensor. 300 miles later it is back in for DEF issues and I won't know something til next week. I was wondering how wide spread it was because it is a 36 page thread and growing on duramaxforum. I would like to hear from anyone on here that has the DEF version Duramax and whether or not you have had any problems.

I was thinking maybe we could post here what your year your DEF duramax is and whether you have had problems or not, and the mileage of such problems or hopefully the mileage of trucks with no problems.

I am trying to figure out if I should keep this truck or not.

Thanks

I absolutely love this truck except when it breaks down!


2011 duramax 24k CEL NOX sensor replaced

300 miles later back in shop for DEF issue
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  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    JustLabs wrote:
    My 2011 has had zero issues with DEF.


    how many miles on your rig?
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    My 2011 had all kinds of DEF issues. Talked to an engineer at the DEF manufacturer and he said that they made 80% of all sold and that GMs were very sensitive (computer wise) to quality. Got tired of it being a "hangar queen" and bought a 6.7 Ram. Problem solved!!! Downsized due to health and traded it for a Ford F150 Ecoboost. Next, have to sell our TT as unable to do any more long trips. Will have to stick with pulling my boat.
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Well, I own a different truck, but bad DEF can be an issue. The issue is that DEF has a very specific gravity and another property that can be measured in the DEF tanks. DEF is composed of distilled water and roughly 27 to 33% aqueous ammonia. If this isn't met, it can throw off the DEF sensors causing an issue. I bought some DEF in a jug and keep re-filling them at a truck stop since it's so much cheaper there and I figure that they will have fresh DEF.

    Just another thought that DEF could also have degraded. Depending on your environment, DEF has a shelf life anywhere from 6 months (if it's really hot where you live) to 2 years (if you top out at around 70 degrees on average where you live and don't have any prolonged weather spikes above 90 degrees).
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    We purchased a 2013 3500 last spring. It now has 11K miles, no DEF issues.
  • Pop-Pop_C's avatar
    Pop-Pop_C
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Had 44,000 Mi.+ on ours no problems?oh! was a 2011.
    There is a update that was run ours.
  • jalichty's avatar
    jalichty
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Haven't had any problems yet with our 2012, but we only have a little over 11,000 in 1 1/2 years. I will keep a lookout for problems now that you have brought it up.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    newman fulltimer wrote:
    A freinds kept going to the shop for def problems they finaly figured out he was getting bad def fluid


    I hope that is the real issue, from what I have read that's what they say in the beginning and it goes downhill from there.
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Jan 11, 2014
    A freinds kept going to the shop for def problems they finaly figured out he was getting bad def fluid

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