Advice on pumping DEF needed.

[Winged_One]

Used a DEF hose at a truck pump today for the first time (my 13 Ford said it was below halfway). A frustrating experience.

Can I assume correctly that the nozzle is supposed to go in as far as possible (it gets larger half way up the nozzle)?

Then the frustrating part was getting the fluid to flow. You just barely pull up on the handle to get it to flow, but it constantly is cutting out. Finally able to get it to flow a bit continuously (put two gallons in) but I am sure I didn't fill it.

So paranoid about overfilling that I said good enough at 2 gallons (and then I was above 1/2 full per my truck).

Looking for advice/tips/tricks for using these pumps. What you got?

BTW, my experience was with a pump in South Dakota (Pilot), and cripes, they have the hose, behind a cover, and you feel like you have to rip the hose out of the machine's spring loaded rollup to get enough to reach the truck.

[drfife]

Save your 2 1/2 gallon DEF jug and refill it at the truck stop.

[Huntindog]

NC Hauler wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
I don't think that the savings are worth the risks of contamination on a pickup sized rig. Contaminated DEF will make the truck throw a code, and cause a trip to the dealer. I would rather pay for the sealed jug at Walmart, NAPA etc. 22.00 for 5-6 thousand miles isn't the end of the world.

:h..I'd much rather pay $2.89 a gallon as opposed to $5.50-$7.00 plus a gallon and mine is at a truck stop, each diesel island has the Blue Def pump..as stated, no big deal, took cap off, pumped in two gallons and that was over 2400 miles ago...no problems, no issues...I will keep paying the lesser amount as long as I can. I do have a 2.5 gallon jug "just in case", but don't see any reason in paying an inflated price, and haven't heard about "contaminated" DEF anywhere..heck, I've heard more about diesel being contaminated with water than I've heard about pumping bad DEF.

You are paying too much for your jugs then. My cost has consistently been a little over 4.00 a gallon.

I have seen many pumps that are handled by the public. Lets just say that I'm convinced that they
are far from clean.. Read your owners manual for more info on this.

It won't be covered by warranty, and the expense will make the sealed jugs seem like a bargain.

I don't believe that any of the domestic pickups have any filtration setups at all for contaminated DEF.. The systems absolutely rely on it going in pure.

It's your call.

[NC_Hauler]

Huntindog wrote:
I don't think that the savings are worth the risks of contamination on a pickup sized rig. Contaminated DEF will make the truck throw a code, and cause a trip to the dealer. I would rather pay for the sealed jug at Walmart, NAPA etc. 22.00 for 5-6 thousand miles isn't the end of the world.

:h..I'd much rather pay $2.89 a gallon as opposed to $5.50-$7.00 plus a gallon and mine is at a truck stop, each diesel island has the Blue Def pump..as stated, no big deal, took cap off, pumped in two gallons and that was over 2400 miles ago...no problems, no issues...I will keep paying the lesser amount as long as I can. I do have a 2.5 gallon jug "just in case", but don't see any reason in paying an inflated price, and haven't heard about "contaminated" DEF anywhere..heck, I've heard more about diesel being contaminated with water than I've heard about pumping bad DEF.

[lightfoot]

Had to add DEF last year for the first time. Was at a Pilot and the setup was as easy as putting my good sam pilot card in the slot and placing the nozzle in the tank and puling the leaver. Got Diesel at the same time and when I got home the bill was waiting for me. Put 3.5 gallons in for around 2.89/gal. Didn't seem to be a big deal as some make it out to be. I have a 2012 F250 so the magnetic thing might be in the filler tube already, but anyway, no big deal.

[Huntindog]

I don't think that the savings are worth the risks of contamination on a pickup sized rig. Contaminated DEF will make the truck throw a code, and cause a trip to the dealer. I would rather pay for the sealed jug at Walmart, NAPA etc. 22.00 for 5-6 thousand miles isn't the end of the world.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

tinner12002 wrote:
Is it really that difficult to fill the DEF fluid?
I always thought you just use a funnel and pour it in.

Don't even need a funnel. Hose on the plastic bottles I have so far used fit snugly into truck. Just lift and fill.

[NC_Hauler]

...I know it's a LOT cheaper per gallon filling at a station...2.5 gallons of Blue DEf cost me a little over $11.00 at a Auto parts place...at the pump, I paid $2.89 a gallon..much cheaper and the station is only about 5 miles down the road from me. I had no problem adding two gallons to my DEF tank maybe a month ago just to see how much it would take to top it off.

[tinner12002]

Is it really that difficult to fill the DEF fluid?
I always thought you just use a funnel and pour it in.

[gmcsmoke]

Filling the DEF is like filling the washer fluid. I just dump 2.5 gallon in and move on.

some just add way more drama than needed.

[pigman1]

My experience with the PILOT and FLYING J stations is that at best, the condition and operation of their DEF pumps is terrible. We've not seen the need for the magnetic release, but these stations have nozzles in poor repair, leaking and extra short hoses with broken or poorly operating retract mechanisms. In addition, you have to enter your CC and loyalty card numerous times to get the pumps even to work. I've got 3-5gal containers and 6-2.5gal containers that I keep filled ahead of time, so when I need DEF, I have it. Yes, I know the bit about shelf life and storage and take appropriate precautions to keep my "stock" current and safe.

[FishOnOne]

Some truck stops require a magnetic collar to engage an internal valve.

Link

[Bheffington]

I have nothing to add to the post since my '12 ram CTD doesn't use the DEF, but I do find it interesting that you can get it at the pump. I wonder if you can get a discount with the good Sam card?