Diesel fun! 🤣

[BuckeyeButch]

20 gal marine tank in my camper setup, electric pump but gravity feeds quite nicely if I don’t shut the valve. Starting to be one of my favorite mods

20 gal marine tank in my camper setup, electric pump but gravity feeds quite nicely if I don’t shut the valve. Starting to be one of my favorite mods

I've been suggesting that for years, Great Lakes Skipper. has thousands of tanks available.

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[myillwillinc]

Running your fuel tank that low is asking for trouble with the CP4 fuel pump.

I'm so bad running mine to less then 40 miles to empty.

 

[biodiesel]

I'm so bad running mine to less then 40 miles to empty.

When the fuel level runs low, the lift pump runs hotter. That's because the diesel fuel coming off the return line is something like 180*F - 200*F. Diese fuel doesn't lubricate the pump, but it does cool it. It's hard to keep the lift pump cool when the fuel gets hot. The owners/operators with premature lift pump failures are typically those who habitually run their tanks low. Obviously, this is more of a concern in a warm climate region than a cool climate region, but you get the point.

 

[Sweetums]

So much, Diesel fun in one photo @ 6$ a gal. lol.

TIL the fuel gauge turns yellow when low. Am I the only one who looks at the instruments and refills the DEF and fuel at 1/2 tank?

 

[Rusty PW]

TIL the fuel gauge turns yellow when low. Am I the only one who looks at the instruments and refills the DEF and fuel at 1/2 tank?

I refill my DEF tank at half tank. That's one jug to fill it.

 

[Hoss]

I refill my DEF tank at half tank. That's one jug to fill it.

Find you a gas station that sells bulk DEF. You can fill your whole tank from empty for less than the cost of one box of DEF that only fills half the tank.

 

[biodiesel]

Find you a gas station that sells bulk DEF. You can fill your whole tank from empty for less than the cost of one box of DEF that only fills half the tank.

That might be true, but DEF at the pump isn't always clean and pure. I don't think it's a widespread problem, but many diesel techs advise not using it. For that reason, I stick with the packaged DEF.

 

[Rusty PW]

That might be true, but DEF at the pump isn't always clean and pure. I don't think it's a widespread problem, but many diesel techs advise not using it. For that reason, I stick with the packaged DEF.

I always check the DEF fluid before putting it into the tank. I've come across 2 bad jugs so far.

I use this to check with.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLDZBS8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[biodiesel]

I always check the DEF fluid before putting it into the tank. I've come across 2 bad jugs so far.

It's good that you test. Which brand of DEF tested bad?

I use this to check with.

I have the exact same refractometer.

So far, I've had great success with Peak Platinum DEF. I've been using it since it was released, which I think was sometime in 2020.

 

[Rusty PW]

It's good that you test. Which brand of DEF tested bad?



I have the exact same refractometer.

So far, I've had great success with Peak Platinum DEF. I've been using it since it was released, which I think was sometime in 2020.

Had one Peak from Walmart, and a off brand at a gas station when we were taking a trip.

I use Peak Platinum too.

 

[biodiesel]

I use Peak Platinum too.

I just stocked up on Platinum.

 

[Sweetums]

You know it goes bad over time, right? How many miles are you driving?

 

[biodiesel]

You know it goes bad over time, right?

I have a friend that has been testing DEF. Here's what he said:

"I've been shelf testing DEF in my basement with my optical DEF refractometer and so far DEF that has sat in my basement for 5 years in a sealed ampule is still at 32.5% on the nose. With that being said, I now feel confident to stock up on a few extra boxes of DEF and keep them down there."

My response to him: "I knew DEF would last 2 years if kept in a dark cool environment. 3 years is impressive. 5 years is unbelievable!

I try to keep at least 5 gallons on hand. Tractor Supply had a Black Friday special on Platinum a few years ago, that's when I stocked up (25 gallons)!"

His response back to me: "Me too. That was why I want to keep my experiment going. Once it gets above 32.5%, then I'll know that is the limit.

My basement stays between 52F and 55F all year long. Highest I've ever seen it was 62F.

I go down there to relax during the summer and tinker with doing some wood working or other hobbies."

 

[JTdiRtyD]

You know it goes bad over time, right? How many miles are you driving?

The way the gladi goes through DEF, thats 30k miles worth

 

[biodiesel]

How many miles are you driving?

I don't keep track of miles, but I have a good idea of averages. The Jeep averages about 3,000 miles per year. The 2015 Ram averages about 8,000 miles per year. And the truck 2020 Ram averages about 10,000 miles per year. The 2015 and 2020 Ram EcoDiesels do a lot of towing.

I do keep track of monthly DEF totals, annual totals, and averages.

2018 DEF Consumption: 12.5 gallons (1.05 gallons per month)
2019 DEF Consumption: 15 gallons (1.25 gallons per month)
2020 DEF Consumption: 10.5 gallons (.09 gallons per month)
2021 DEF Consumption: 25 gallons (2.08 gallons per month)
2022 DEF Consumption: 25 gallons (2.08 gallons per month)
2023 DEF Consumption: 27.5 gallons (2.29 gallons per month)
2024 DEF Consumption: 25 gallons (2.08 gallons per month)
2025 DEF Consumption: 27.5 gallons (2.29 gallons per month)

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