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Among all the different concerns that any diesel truck owner could have, none have become as prominent or commonplace in recent years than diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)-related issues. Certain problems such as DEF contamination, improper DEF handling, and incorrectly supplying a diesel tank with DEF are some of the many issues that could come about during your ownership experience.

DEF-related issues you may come across and how to avoid them

If you’ve run into such a problem recently but don’t know how to solve it or how you can avoid its different variants, there’s no need to worry because avoiding such a problem isn’t difficult. In the sections below, we will share a few common problems associated with DEF and how you can avoid each of them: 

Issue #1: Contamination

The most common problem that comes when dealing with DEF-related issues is contamination threats that can cause damage and prevent the chemicals from working properly.

In most cases, this problem comes up when contaminants that are located around the fill cap run right into the substance or when caps aren’t cleaned before they’re undone when adding fluid. Even the smaller specks of dirt and dust can cause many problems as soon as they fall in and end up getting washed down the tank, leading to prolonged downtimes along the way. 

How you can fix it: Given that dirty caps are the most common culprit when it comes to DEF contamination, the clear fix that you can use to avoid this problem is a proper cleaning before fluid application. Additionally, keeping your DEF in dedicated containers that are regularly cleaned will make a difference as it cuts out the risk of contamination by a significant amount.

Issue #2: Confusion

Aside from contamination, another common problem that many diesel truck owners run into when handling their DEFs is that they end up ruining their engines by accidentally filing up the gas tank with them. Although they may be within close proximity, the ports for the gas tank and DEF tank respectively must never be confused because even the smallest amount of the emissions control solution in fuel tanks will cause thousands in damage.

How you can fix it: The best way to avoid this common problem and drowning yourself in repair bills is to inspect your caps to ensure that you insert the fluid in the right tank. If you suspect that you’ve put the liquid in the wrong tank, however, then pop both tanks out and drain and flush both with deionized water or clean DEF fluid!

Issue #3: Improper handling

Many American diesel truck owners are often uneducated in terms of how they’re supposed to handle the sensitive liquid to the point that they just carelessly store it somewhere, eventually degrading it. It’s vital to understand that DEF is sensitive when it comes to temperatures and containers as it’s a volatile liquid with an intricate chemical composition.

How you can fix it: When it comes to properly storing DEFs, you’ll need to choose a cool, dry indoor location between 12 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, you should put the fluid in an expandable container to avoid diluting the liquid or having it turn into slush.

Conclusion

Messing up the process of trying to supplement your truck with a fresh batch of diesel exhaust fluid can easily lead to costly problems and damages, especially if you commit the same mistakes mentioned above. With the help of this simple, yet effective guide, you can save yourself time, stress, and money in the long run while making sure your truck runs smoothly!

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