Caution – Buying DEF from Wal-Mart

[TheArnolds]

Twice in the last 6 months I purchased a 2 ½ gallon container of “Blue DEF” from 2 different Wal-Marts and the container was filled with water. The first time I purchased it while traveling and when I went to use it DEF there was no seal under the cap. I smelled and tasted it only to find it to be good old H2O (water). From this point on I check to see if it has a seal under the cap. This past Monday I purchased another container and checked to see if it had a seal, it did. I took it to our RV and when I went to pull off the seal it came off with NO effort. Checked the contents and found water again. This time I was only a few miles away from the Wal-Mart where I purchased the DEF and returned the container. The manager and employees had no idea what DEF was and told me that people do return saying they purchased too much. I told the manager, if a person purchased 5 gallons of gas from Wal-Mart and came back to return it saying the purchased too much would you accept the return? He said NO, how can you buy too much gas! I told him the same thing goes for DEF, you can’t buy too much, and it will be needed and used if you own a diesel engine vehicle that uses DEF.

This post is only a caution so I do not want to start a long thread about where and how to buy DEF or who does or doesn’t shop at Wal-Mart. However please comment if you have experienced the same problem with buying DEF at Wal-Mart.

[Steve N Sal]

I was with a friend of mine that purchased some here in Central FL. All went well for him. Thanks for posting though to alert other of this potential problem.

[MuckSavage]

Thank you!

[jquinlan]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

manager and employees had no idea what DEF was and told me that people do return saying they purchased too much. I told the manager, if a person purchased 5 gallons of gas from Wal-Mart and came back to return it saying the purchased too much would you accept the return? He said NO, how can you buy too much gas! I told him the same thing goes for DEF, you can’t buy too much, and it will be needed and used if you own a diesel engine vehicle that uses DEF.

Good advice. Next time I purchase DEF I'll be sure to check the seals. Recently I bought 3 boxes of DEF for our new 2014 Diesel truck because of an upcoming long trip to Alaska. And then I, er ... the wife remembered that GM gives 2 years of free oil changes with DEF refills regardless of the dealer you take it to. So I returned the 3 boxes of DEF to Walmart this week. Trying to keep this giant growing pile of stuff we're bringing on our trip to a minimum.

[sadrand]

Just for those who don't know, DEF is Urea disolved in water - about 65% water. It is clear and fairly hard to tell from pure water. It's also supposedly non-toxic, but can be corrosive to some materials, so it has to be stored in approved containers. I have never been entirely sure how something can be deemed non-toxic and yet corrosive at the same time.

[Palazzoblues]

I will never buy it from Wally World. Is is very difficult to tell the difference from plain water and DEF?

[hondavalk]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

There was no seal under the cap. I smelled and tasted it only to find it to be good old H2O (water). .

[djbmsu]

SO the box of Blue DEF was opened ? and you still purchased it ?
These box's are sealed.

[bullheaded]

Two of the last three I bought had no spout but was unopened and the seal was not broken. Maybe it was water???

[kamakalama]

Originally Posted by bullheaded

Two of the last three I bought had no spout but was unopened and the seal was not broken. Maybe it was water???

Same problem here. Purchased in San Diego.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by sadrand

Just for those who don't know, DEF is Urea disolved in water - about 65% water. It is clear and fairly hard to tell from pure water. It's also supposedly non-toxic, but can be corrosive to some materials, so it has to be stored in approved containers. I have never been entirely sure how something can be deemed non-toxic and yet corrosive at the same time.

Vinegar is non toxic, but a corrosive acid. There are many things that fit the description. Non toxic doesn't mean benign , just that contact or ingestion won't kill you.

[Clayobx]

I've never bought DEF from Walmart. Guess I never will! Never thought about checking the container but will from this point on. Thanks for the heads up.

[gMw]

Thanks for the heads up, where ever I buy it (other than the bulk pump), I'll make sure the box is unopened and still sealed.

[D Lindy]

Boxes can be opened and then resealed, the seal on the container can reglued on. It's amazing how low some will stoop to save a couple of $. I guess from no on buying ANYTHING that's sealed at the factory can not be guaranteed to be what it's suppose to be. It's a real shame we have to go to the trouble of checking anything before we use/eat it no matter where we buy it.