artly

Has any one here used DEF at the pump for their bluetec yet? Theirs a few gas stations in town that cater to semi trucks etc that have it.

Samaral

What town?

artly

Edmonton Alberta

Samaral

I haven't seen here in Toronto. I just bought a gallon from the dealer an I fill it up once in a while. It did cost me around 20 bucks for the gallon and it is sufficient for 15000 klm.

Binxx

Here in Australia it is avaiable at some Coles petrol stations (I'm sure at others have it at some of their pumps as well) for $1 a litre

http://www.colesexpress.com.au/shell-fuels/AdBlue®.aspx

fabbrisd1

Pump DEF is a good thing - since it is "fresh".

Worst thing for BlueTech is a half-empty bottle of DEF you hold over for the next top off - NO DAMN GOOD.

Opened - BAD.

Stored below 40F - BAD

Stored over 80F - BAD.

Over 99% of the DEF contamination I have seen has been DIY - where someone trying to save $4-$5 keeps old/opened/bad-temp store DEF hanging around.

xMB007x

Is it better to wait for the DEF to be completely empty or should it be refilled when about 1/2 empty?

Kaasmann

What happens if the DEF goes bad? Does it affect diesel performance? Does it wreck the engine?

jrcart

DEF at the pump is the same quality as the stuff you buy in bottles and should cost a little bit less per gallon/liter than the bottled stuff. I own a trucking company and all my newer trucks in my fleet require DEF. When I just had a couple newer trucks with DEF a couple years ago I would buy cases of bottled DEF, now that I have over 20 semi's which require DEF I buy DEF in bulk, I had a 200 gallon tank dropped on my yard lot and it saves me a ton of money. There are several gas stations in my area that have a DEF pump, they are regular corner gas stations and not truck stops, a lot of BP stations in my area have it.

DEF can go bad but it need to sit for about a year to do so. Driving the car and just the sloshing around will keep it longer. You should run the DEF low before refilling but not too low becuase if you run dry vehicle will go into limp mode.

Barry45RPM

I have heard that the DEF nozzles at stations that cater to trucks, may be too big a diameter to fit into MB filler necks, require the use of an "adapter" funnel, which renders the pump auto shut off feature inoperative. This may cause a spill over down the side of the Benz.

Can anybody confirm/disprove this?

fabbrisd1

DEF station pumps work fine for ML/GL - for GLK with center trunk fill it can be a exercise.

Approx range GL/ML with full DEF tank is approx 12.5K miles - this can vary depnding on overall engine speed over that period.

A "low DEF visual warning" will come on "about" 10K - average/normal usage - with about 2K miles in easy-reserve.

Low-low warning will come on about 250 ,iles left to go - then following by "10 starts left" at critical low.

Now - pump stations have underground tanks - so temp is relatively controlled - meaning not below 40F and not anywhere near high 80F.

Bulk outside/exterior tanks do not have protection - and bulk interior tanks depend on whether or not the area they are stored are temp controlled or not - if not not temp/climate controlled - outside or inside then bets are off.

Yes BAD DEF can harm the system - requiring full tank and system flush - and/or reset or even replacement of the NOX sensor.

For the DIY'r - retail 2.5 gallon jugs of generic DEF - like PEAK - are fine - but DON'T use partial container - throw the frack away - and DON'T pre-buy and store non-temp/climate controlled.

A 2 1/2 gal jug/box of generic DEF is like $14 +/1 - don't be dense and try to save those last few/few $ from having a partial container - or buying too son and uncontrolled storage.

It's no biggie - and the boundaries are easy - it's just no one really outlines the boundaries..

DUTCH

The 2.5 gallon containers have a 2 year shelf life, and I've used opened containers for the past 4+ years with no problems. The urea solution is NOT that unstable!

350MH83

i have always refilled at the station. Cost me 5 Euros top for a refill and never had an issue.

fabbrisd1

That's what this is ALL about - preventing problems - shelf life ONLY applies to unopened containers in climate controled enviorments.

DEF system flush + new NOX is $1300...

Kartergreg

If you want to see some real issues check out the problems the guys with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee diesels are having with DEF. A lot of talk and problems. Some related to DEF quality, and many issues related to clogged and broken DEF injectors. They are now acutely aware of the need for fresh DEF, and these vehicles are less than one year old. Apparently more of a Jeep issue than DEF problem.

They are also having a lot of problems rough and harsh transmission shifting. Several TSB's for software updates and not all transmission problems have been fixed.

DUTCH

Sounds just like my ML's transmission.

DUTCH

I stand by my earlier post. Urea solutions are not that unstable, and an opened container that has been re-closed is just fine for use. I've been doing this for 4+ years with no problems.

I would be more concerned with whether or not the store is rotating their stocks, and how long it's been sitting on the shelf. Also, all the DEF 2.5 containers I've used have NOT had seals - only screw off caps. Ymmv.

Barry45RPM

Just Like MB's 7G transmission across the model lineup!

Kartergreg

Filled up last weekend with Peak bought at Walmart and it did have a seal under the screw on cap. It had been sitting in my garage for a few months and it had a strong ammonia smell when I opened it.

DUTCH

Interesting. I've purchased many 2.5 gallon bottles from my local Audi dealer (only a buck more expensive than WallyWorld), and none have ever had a seal under the screw cap. Maybe they're refilling them?

The 2.5 gallon Peak boxes in my local Walmart all looked like they had leaked some around the screw cap and onto the boxes. Lots of dried salts on the outsides of the boxes. The same is true for the Peak boxes I've looked at in various truck stops.

I've used both sources with no trouble; and they all have an ammonia smell when opened. Some more than others. After rfilling your car, if there is some left over in the container, screw the cap back on tight; and it's good for the next time.

artly

Well guys I went to Flying Js today. The DEF nozzle fit perfectly with my 2013 ML350. I have to say it was a little intimidating with all the semi trucks around me lol. The pump by its self clicked when the DEF was full. Not a drop spilled. I paid 69 cents a litre. A big savings from the dealer.

fabbrisd1

Well... of course all here entitled to their own opinion .... as a benchmark ...my tech's service just about 100 BT's a month incl Sprinter ... make your own decisions... of course most outboard motor owners, and even most motorcycle owners, acknowledge the issues that can come from winter storage of motors/bikes/heck even lawn mowers from partial-filled gasoline tanks or gas cans ... understandable boundaries... this ain't rocket science..

DUTCH

DEF is not gasoline!