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Herkdriver · 05-21-2018, 03:16 PM

I stopped to fill up. When I started the motor again I had a shutdown engine warning on my 2016 DS. It was accompanied with an extremely low def warning. I had a full tank of DEF so I knew it wasn't low. Here is the kicker.... The computer completely derates the motor allowing only idle rpm. I moved the coach out of the way and called FTL. Any inputs or war stories????

kimbo · 05-21-2018, 03:38 PM

following

Stuart W · 05-21-2018, 03:54 PM

Following

wishalls · 05-21-2018, 04:26 PM

A little help..maybe. I had that problem and the Freighliner tech told me to take a plastic handled screwdriver and tap(not bang) on the top of the def tank pickups. He said that sometimes the def crystallizes on the pickups and gives false reading. I tapped mind and the alarm for def cleared. Still had a check engine light but that cleared after a few miles. The FL tech did state the check light would clear after a few miles. Hope this helps.

saddlesore · 05-21-2018, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishalls

A little help..maybe. I had that problem and the Freighliner tech told me to take a plastic handled screwdriver and tap(not bang) on the top of the def tank pickups. He said that sometimes the def crystallizes on the pickups and gives false reading. I tapped mind and the alarm for def cleared. Still had a check engine light but that cleared after a few miles. The FL tech did state the check light would clear after a few miles. Hope this helps.

Yup, had same issue with a Freightliner tractor..a few taps and all was good.

wishalls · 05-21-2018, 05:24 PM

Have got your coach yet?

Herkdriver · 05-24-2018, 08:56 AM

I will update you guys when I pick up the coach. FTL warranty covered the repairs. I am curious to find out causes, prevention, etc. I hate to get on a soap box but we can thank the EPA for this DEF issue. I am frustrated the motor was completely derated due to this issue. I was dead in the water over an EPA guideline.

TJ · 05-24-2018, 09:32 AM

Where did you last get DEF? Was it in containers rather than from a pump? If in a container, was/were the seal(s) intact under the cap(s)? I recently bought DEF at Walmart and found one of their containers was missing the seal. It had been refilled with water and put back on the shelf. Fortunately, I noticed it, but it is all-too-easy to make a mistake and use it. No more Wally World DEF for me.

Water in the DEF tank will give you those symptoms.

TJ

TJ · 05-24-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herkdriver

I hate to get on a soap box but we can thank the EPA for this DEF issue. I am frustrated the motor was completely derated due to this issue. I was dead in the water over an EPA guideline.

Sorry, but I think your angst is misplaced. EPA didn't mandate the use of DEF; they mandated a level of exhaust emission cleanliness that manufacturers had to meet. That can be done in several ways and using DEF is the cheapest for manufacturers. Guess which route they took?

You may think everything EPA has done is bad, but I'm old enough to remember the really bad smog in several large cities that has now improved greatly because of environmental changes required by the EPA. I have always enjoyed breathing and would like that enjoyment to continue.

TJ

Ann n Gene · 05-24-2018, 01:44 PM

Agree with above PLUS I had coaches pre DEF and there was always soot on the towed after towing long distances. I sure don’t miss cleaning that off, plus the haze has pretty much disappeared over large cities. Do I wish they had used a different solution, probably but they charge plenty for these things now and this was the cheapest solution. I think other solutions are coming IF the government does not eliminate the requirements, it could happen. All JMHO

NeHardRock · 05-24-2018, 08:34 PM

I had the same thing happen to me a couple weeks ago. stop Engine warning..derates engine. Turned out to be the DEF sending unit.

lakebuster · 05-25-2018, 06:18 AM

Maybe a little off subject, but when you pull into truck stop to refuel, you turn off your engine? I was told by trucker to put it at fast idle and never pull in and Shutdown engine unless no load idle for one minute then SD. I choose to leave at fast idle as I have to pull up to rear tag to top off DEF.

saddlesore · 05-25-2018, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakebuster

Maybe a little off subject, but when you pull into truck stop to refuel, you turn off your engine? I was told by trucker to put it at fast idle and never pull in and Shutdown engine unless no load idle for one minute then SD. I choose to leave at fast idle as I have to pull up to rear tag to top off DEF.

Federal/State & local laws require that the engine be shut off when fueling.. It is a safety thing.
The time that you take pulling into the fuel stop is enough to cool off the turbo & settle down the engine.. or let it idle for a minute before shutting off, either way the engine should be off when fueling...and with the engine off You should be checking the oil and coolant levels when fueling , just because.....
YRMV

TJ · 05-25-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Federal/State & local laws require that the engine be shut off when fueling.. It is a safety thing.
The time that you take pulling into the fuel stop is enough to cool off the turbo & settle down the engine.. or let it idle for a minute before shutting off, either way the engine should be off when fueling...and with the engine off You should be checking the oil and coolant levels when fueling , just because.....
YRMV

In my experience, very few truck drivers shut down their diesel rigs when fueling. I'm not sure, but I think the "safety thing" may just apply to gasoline pumps. If not, there are sure a lot of lawbreakers out there...including me.

TJ