2017 GMC/Chevy DEF tank!
I mean WTH are they thinking? :E
Forum Discussion
101 Replies
- Just yesterday I was sitting at a light in my Prius work truck looking at the new OTR tractor next to me. Both fuel tanks and DEF tank was right out there in the same position as the new GM pickup truck's DEF tank. It looks odd on the pickup but I don't see it as being any more of a problem.
Back in the '90s, folks said diesel pickup trucks weren't as good for off road as gas powered pickups due to the weight up front. What changed? FishOnOne wrote:
Ram had so much trouble with soot clogging in their pre DEF motors that it is highly likely they are gun shy and went with an aggressive DEF treatment and lower EGR usage as a result... I often see companies that have a big problem make a knee jerk correction, which many times is an over correction as a result.NRALIFR wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
NRALIFR wrote:
Personally, I'd rather see my truck use whatever amount of DEF is needed to keep the exhaust within spec's than EGR. Those are the only two viable options when it comes to reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in Diesel exhaust; either reduce the combustion temperature in the cylinders with EGR or use a SCR after-treatment.
:):)
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
There's a downside to too much EGR too. Having previously owned one of the DEF-less 2010 Diesels, I can attest to the fact that relying totally on EGR is a poor design. It didn't work out for any of the Diesel engine mfg'ers that tried it.
Those DPF's aren't cheap when you're out of warranty and your truck is cleaning every 60-70 miles because it's clogged. There's also the oil dilution problem those engines had that was excessive even when everything was working right.
The way I see it is that all Diesels from each model year have to meet the same exhaust specs. The NO2 specs are currently being met with a mixture of "in cylinder treatment" (EGR) and "exhaust after treatment" (DEF). One brand's strategy may result in their engine using less DEF than another brand, but make no mistake if your not using as much DEF to meet specs you are using more EGR.
I see no sense in worrying about how much DEF is being used when the cost per mile is as low as it is. I'm only referring to a properly working Diesel engine using the "right" amount of DEF for its design.
:):)
I agree too much EGR causes soot clogging issues and too much DEF will crystalize in the exhaust. It's a balance of the two that make the engine and exhaust for long term reliability.
Time will tell if the RAMs are now using more DEF than is best... It is a fact that using that much DEF is not necessary as both Ford and GM have not had soot clogging issues using lower DEF consumption.- I've seen DEF crystallize but wonder how much would have to be dispersed to clog the exhaust system. I would think exhaust pressure would blow most of it through and prevent build up.
FishOnOne wrote:
Bedlam wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
Excessive particulates will clog the exhaust, but I don't see how excessive fluid will. Are you sure you not mixing up between DPF and DEF.
I'm sure... The particulates I'm referring to is the DEF crystallization that will form in the exhaust when too much is applied.
Link
I didn't think about this but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the link.fly-boy wrote:
Haven't had an issue with my 2012 or the 2016 with the def tank location- I agree it's not the most aesthetically pleasing but the AMP steps and the aftermarket guard I have completely hide it.
I have 34k miles on my 10 month old 2016 and am getting at least 5k miles between def fill ups- which is what I got with the 2012. Most of those miles are towing. (I grabbed 10,000 #'s of steel pipe for the ranch this morning which was a 600 mile round trip...)
I agree it could be done better but it certainly won't hold me back from buying another GM truck... If it's a deal breaker for someone then they likely didn't want a GM truck to begin with...
I agree. I have 34K on my 2015 3500HD. I am off road a lot. Being an excavation contractor in Idaho, necessitates being off road. I have had no issues in this pickup or any GM pickup that I have had with smashing that location. I agree it could happen. I also wish that they would come up with something else, but like mentioned, it wont stop from buying another. I pretty happy with these pickups.NRALIFR wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
NRALIFR wrote:
Personally, I'd rather see my truck use whatever amount of DEF is needed to keep the exhaust within spec's than EGR. Those are the only two viable options when it comes to reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in Diesel exhaust; either reduce the combustion temperature in the cylinders with EGR or use a SCR after-treatment.
:):)
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
There's a downside to too much EGR too. Having previously owned one of the DEF-less 2010 Diesels, I can attest to the fact that relying totally on EGR is a poor design. It didn't work out for any of the Diesel engine mfg'ers that tried it.
Those DPF's aren't cheap when you're out of warranty and your truck is cleaning every 60-70 miles because it's clogged. There's also the oil dilution problem those engines had that was excessive even when everything was working right.
The way I see it is that all Diesels from each model year have to meet the same exhaust specs. The NO2 specs are currently being met with a mixture of "in cylinder treatment" (EGR) and "exhaust after treatment" (DEF). One brand's strategy may result in their engine using less DEF than another brand, but make no mistake if your not using as much DEF to meet specs you are using more EGR.
I see no sense in worrying about how much DEF is being used when the cost per mile is as low as it is. I'm only referring to a properly working Diesel engine using the "right" amount of DEF for its design.
:):)
I agree too much EGR causes soot clogging issues and too much DEF will crystalize in the exhaust. It's a balance of the two that make the engine and exhaust for long term reliability.Bedlam wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
Excessive particulates will clog the exhaust, but I don't see how excessive fluid will. Are you sure you not mixing up between DPF and DEF.
I'm sure... The particulates I'm referring to is the DEF crystallization that will form in the exhaust when too much is applied.
LinkFishOnOne wrote:
NRALIFR wrote:
Personally, I'd rather see my truck use whatever amount of DEF is needed to keep the exhaust within spec's than EGR. Those are the only two viable options when it comes to reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in Diesel exhaust; either reduce the combustion temperature in the cylinders with EGR or use a SCR after-treatment.
:):)
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
There's a downside to too much EGR too. Having previously owned one of the DEF-less 2010 Diesels, I can attest to the fact that relying totally on EGR is a poor design. It didn't work out for any of the Diesel engine mfg'ers that tried it.
Those DPF's aren't cheap when you're out of warranty and your truck is cleaning every 60-70 miles because it's clogged. There's also the oil dilution problem those engines had that was excessive even when everything was working right.
The way I see it is that all Diesels from each model year have to meet the same exhaust specs. The NO2 specs are currently being met with a mixture of "in cylinder treatment" (EGR) and "exhaust after treatment" (DEF). One brand's strategy may result in their engine using less DEF than another brand, but make no mistake if your not using as much DEF to meet specs you are using more EGR.
I see no sense in worrying about how much DEF is being used when the cost per mile is as low as it is. I'm only referring to a properly working Diesel engine using the "right" amount of DEF for its design.
:):)FishOnOne wrote:
The problem using too much def will cause the exhaust to clog up over time
Excessive particulates will clog the exhaust, but I don't see how excessive fluid will. Are you sure you not mixing up between DPF and DEF.- Haven't had an issue with my 2012 or the 2016 with the def tank location- I agree it's not the most aesthetically pleasing but the AMP steps and the aftermarket guard I have completely hide it.
I have 34k miles on my 10 month old 2016 and am getting at least 5k miles between def fill ups- which is what I got with the 2012. Most of those miles are towing. (I grabbed 10,000 #'s of steel pipe for the ranch this morning which was a 600 mile round trip...)
I agree it could be done better but it certainly won't hold me back from buying another GM truck... If it's a deal breaker for someone then they likely didn't want a GM truck to begin with...
