Blue DEF date code system - decoder ring?

[PKI]

Searched and can not find an answer. One post did say there was a new date system, but the poster stated they did not know where to find the secrete decoder ring.

Date Code is 1003240066006. Product is Blue DEF #DEF002

Used to be MFG Plant (2 letter code); 2 digit year (prod yr plus 1; Julian date; batch code

Could it be Jan 6th 2023?

1003 = manufacturing plant
24 = 24-1=23 for the year
006 = day of the year - Jan 6th
6006 - batch code

[RVNuthouse]

I just went to the web site for the mfg of Blue DEF. It is Old World Industries. I could not find any info so I emailed their techincal support. If I get a reply I will post it.

[PKI]

Originally Posted by RVNuthouse

-- snip -- If I get a reply I will post it.

That is a proactive approach that I did not think to consider.

Appreciate your action.

[lakefront5]

This is what I was told a couple of years ago. This was a year ago. Old World may have changed it since as it seems they want to keep the dates difficult to determine.

Blue DEF date reading
If first four numbers are 2022 that means you subtract 1 for a year date of 2021


Next three digits = Days left in the year - subtract that number from 365 (total days in a year) = the day it was manufactured.


2022-1= year 2021
Next three digits of 162 (365-162) = 203 is the number of days into the year it was manufactured. My last box showed July 22 (which is 203 days into the year)

[RVNuthouse]

I did get a reply from OWI explaning the new date code system for Blue DEF.

I asked them to decode the following date code 1003240066006 that was posted online by another user.

Here what they sent.

Date code 1003/24/006/6006

1003=plant
24=the year – a year=2023
006=how many day in the year = Friday Jan 6 2023.

thanks

Technical Product Support Team
Old World Industries, LLC
3100 Sanders Rd, Suite 400
Northbrook, IL 60062. USA
Email: owitech@owi.com

[bigb56]

They use different codes depending on the plant. There is another plant in Texas that uses 2019 for the plant code followed by reverse Julian for the year and regular Julian for the day of the year! Very confusing! I called and spoke to someone who explained it to me. Bottom line is if you buy from a place that moves a lot of it it will likely be very fresh, unless somebody screwed up on rotation. Costco for me.

[RVNuthouse]

bigb56 - you are correct as I went back and asked if the "006" is the actual 6th day of the year and not a number subtracted form 365 as I used before. They came back and said "for that production plant" the "006 was the 6 day of the year. You would think they would standardize to keep it easier for them???

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by RVNuthouse

Here what they sent.

Date code 1003/24/006/6006

1003=plant
24=the year – a year=2023
006=how many day in the year = Friday Jan 6 2023.

OK. But then what does the trailing 6006 mean?

[RVNuthouse]

Batch code for that plant

[PKI]

Kind of makes sense that different plants may be using different systems. I'm finding Blue DEF boxes with the old date code format (letter plant code); some with no date code; and the date code format posted above that is all digits.

Appreciate all the input.

[JerryP]

I usually buy Blue Def Platinum.
Seems that 1/2 of the boxes have date codes.
DEF bought at O'Reilys tend to have dates. ( but not always )

first 2 digits - plant code ( can be numbers or alpha )

next 2 digits - (year code -1)
23 means 2022

next 3 digits - number of days left in year.
006 means (365-006= 359th day of year)

I usually divide 359 by 30 = 11.96 to get rough estimate on month.
This means near the end of December.

I try to buy DEF that's less than 2 months old.

Regards, Jerry

[PKI]

Have not found Platinum with a date code for a year now. At $30 for a 2.5 jug, I find it impossible to buy without a date code, so I stopped buying Platinum Blue DEF.

Good that you can find it.

[TB673]

This has nothing to do with the date code, but if you buy your DEF at an auto parts store, do not buy the DEF that is on display in the Front Window.
Always buy from the back of the store or a display away from the windows.


Tim

[PKI]

Yes, but .... I have an auto store the has a nice covered walkway across the front off the building that prevents direct sun from the window area. However, the door is often open and I have always suspected the condition of their product.

Then there is the nice air-conditioned store that always has sun shining on the product that they stack near the window. Have always suspected that product, but it used to be the only place that stocked Platinum product with a date code.

So far, buying a six month or newer date code and storing it in cool conditions has worked. Unfortunately, the fridge that I did use for backup storage died a noisy death this Winter. Guess I'll just have to travel more to cycle the DEF through the rig faster.

Want to thank the folks who contributed to this thread, especially RVNutHouse who went to the effort to contact the Blue DEF home office engineering staff for the current date code format info.