Welcome Simon!

I've owned a few diesels in my lifetime, this is actually my first with actual emissions. However, I regularly use new diesels at work.

Is it okay for a diesel to be sitting for a bit at a time? -- Yes, we've got work trucks that have sat for months without being used.
Does DEF fluid go bad if you aren't driving it as much? -- Yes it can. However it takes over a year for that to happen. It can cause crystals on the DEF injectors too.
Should I be switching back to a gas if thats the case? -- No. Please don't switch back to gas. If you don't want your truck, I'll be happy to take on another diesel in my household. I love diesel.
Or did I just get lucky with having this issue? -- Yes and no. It was probably old DEF or cheap DEF that the previous owner used. I recommend PEAK Platinum DEF for future fill ups.
I know a lot of people that do have diesel's that sit a lot of the time, is the ECO diesel any different? -- No. My EcoD is a semi-daily driver. It does have times where it will sit for extended periods of time, especially during the summer. In fact, mine sat for 5+ weeks up till 2 weeks ago because the weather was nice and I was driving other vehicles (sadly not diesels).

For what it's worth, new diesels are currently the cleanest vehicle you can operate (outside of riding a bicycle or walking) due to the intense emissions systems. They have been scientifically proven to be cleaner than gasoline vehicles, including electric vehicles.

Judging by the amount of km's you've driven to the amount of DEF you've used (you never said you filled it up), sounds like there was old DEF in the tank which messed with your DEF system. Sounds like you dealer is on top of it. Let them fix it and be happy with your truck.

 

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I appreciate this a lot! This answered all my worries haha.

When I was talking to the dealer last time they said they just top up the DEF fluid before selling it. So I am banking on like you said that it was old or weak fluid.

I have saw other comments saying to use that DEF for filling up. I will defiantly look into that.

Again appreciate all the advice, hopefully this is the answer to finally nail this coffin shut. Thank god for warranty.

Simon

 

@diesel85's response is really good. Only thing I would mention is that DEF goes bad faster when it's hot. Depending on your climate it may not last a full year

When it goes bad the truck tries to compensate by injecting more DEF. This may cause build up at the injector faster if the DEF has gone bad.

I wouldn't let that deter you from a diesel. Just maybe don't top off the DEF ever. Instead I would add small amounts as needed so that the def in the tank is relatively fresh.

I don't live in an insanely hot climate, but I still wait for the 500 mile warning until I add more. Just to try and keep my DEF as fresh as possible.

 

That is a great way to keep your DEF fresh!

Also, if you do buy an additional bottle of DEF, keep it inside in a cool, dark place like a basement/wine cellar.

(Oh, and don't mistake the DEF for a cool glass of chardonnay... LOL)

 

Welcome Simon old DEF, neglected DEF parts could be contributing to these issues for sure, Hang around and learn as much as you can about your new truck and enjoy, there is also a way to "bypass" the truck will not start in XXXX distance message, that is good info to know/learn if ever faced with same message in the future

 

@keiths487too please share the info or link, I am not aware of the ability to bypass the restart barrier

 

Think this is correct Jent

(2) DEF See Dealer Won’t start | RAM 1500 Diesel Forum

 

Let's see now. For years I have been pulling into truck stops and getting DEF. Guess you could call that "mixed".

 

fantastic answer

 

I bought a used 2020 Eco Diesel back in December of 2022. Love the truck, has all the bell and whistles that I wanted, my very first time owning a diesel too. I just wanted a change from gas and got a diesel. I used to have a 2017 Ram Rebel, Loved that truck too.

Bought my eco diesel and about 1500km's later a message came up saying "DEF Service please take to the dealer. Truck engine will shut off in 300km". I was really worried and upset because I had this truck for about 3 months and 1500 km later I'm getting this message. So brought the truck to the dealer that I bought it from and they put on a new cat, said the old one was dirty and needed a new one.

So 2 months go by and end of May rolls around, same message pops up. Bring it back to the dealer and they said its a bad DEF injector. They replaced and all is fine. Now this past Friday (End of June). Same messaged again popped up again on the start of a road trip. I called the dealer and told them, they seemed puzzled. They said that it could be bad DEF that was in the truck. So bringing it this week, assuming they will drain the DEF and put in new stuff. Since buying the truck I've put on about 3500km's in about 6 months.

I feel like I know a good bit about trucks. Maybe not anymore after this. But can you use a Eco Diesel as a daily driver or commuter car? I don't drive much, I'm not hard on the truck at all. I take out my truck maybe once a week and it sits in my parking garage. I understand that I could have a little car to putt around in but I want a truck. Would love an electric but my condo isn't allowing electric plugs in parking stalls at the moment.

So my questions are:
Is it okay for a diesel to be sitting for a bit at a time?
Does DEF fluid go bad if you aren't driving it as much?
Should I be switching back to a gas if thats the case?
Or did I just get lucky with having this issue?
I know a lot of people that do have diesel's that sit a lot of the time, is the ECO diesel any different?

Appreciate any advice and sorry for the long read.

Thanks,
Simon

Hi: Cwsgriff... IMHO those messages are sent out from "Stella Antics" when the stealer ships need WORK!!! I've seen them all before and learned the work around. A Bissel steam cleaner is a perfect thing to have to unclog the DEF Injector . One screw to undo and your in business. Melts the white crusty deposits like butter. A dose of Hot Shots Extreme Diesel every few months is like "Laxative" for your truck too!!! www.hotshotsecret.com Makes the going great.
Dieseldragon North shore of Lake Erie.

 

So update, truck has been sitting at the Chrysler Dealer since last weekend. Got a call yesterday asking when was the last time I put in DEF fluid. I said I haven't, you guys topped it off before I picked the truck up. They said hmm okay. (Bought the truck used in December and put on 3500km since)

5 hours go by and I get another call, they say so we ordered you a new DEF tank. We tested the ratio's and they are the opposite from what they should be. Like water is this 30% and Urea is this 60% (Give or take). So that has ruined the tank. They said it would be another week or 2 that I get my truck because "no dealer around has the tank"

I'm assuming buddy before me that had the truck either put in bad DEF, or didn't change/top it up often. Only a hunch, I have no idea.

Anyways anything I can do to hopefully prevent this in the future? Truck got a new DEF injector and new cat, from the last two times.
I was going to just top off DEF whenever I get to half tank.

Appreciate everybody comment and help too. Have learned a lot about diesels. so thank you! Also Happy Canada day especially to me. FML. hahaha

 

................................
5 hours go by and I get another call, they say so we ordered you a new DEF tank. We tested the ratio's and they are the opposite from what they should be. Like water is this 30% and Urea is this 60% (Give or take). So that has ruined the tank. They said it would be another week or 2 that I get my truck because "no dealer around has the tank"

I'm assuming buddy before me that had the truck either put in bad DEF, or didn't change/top it up often. Only a hunch, I have no idea.
.......................................

That would take a lot of evaporation for the water to drop that low. I understood that the problem with DEF going bad was the urea degrading and dropping in %. The heat to evaporate that much water likely would have broken down the urea. Also, the solubility of urea at 25C is 545g/L, so you couldn't get a 60% solution. I question what they told you. It could be they just didn't explain it well.

 

Only way to prevent this is using quality DEF like PEAK Platinum from a high turn over place like Walmart.

 

With that much water I was thinking it is tuned and someone was running distilled water and DEF before Cwsgriff purchased it.
Just a thought.

 

With that much water I was thinking it is tuned and someone was running distilled water and DEF before Cwsgriff purchased it.
Just a thought.

He was told there wasn't enough water--that the urea concentration was too high, perhaps above the solubility of urea, which would cause it to crystallize out. However, the crystals would dissolve rapidly in hot water.

 

I had my 2015 eco from new till January this year. Only used Walmart brand of Def. Would fill def tank half full, especially in the winter. The heater is lower wattage in the tank so more fluid means longer heating time. Never had a Def problem, I did check every jug I bought to ensure safety seal was intact plus check date on the jug for freshness. If it wasn't for carbon build up after 130K I would have kept going. I have now switched to gas again.