Diesel Exhaust Fluid

[jackelope]

Interesting online course I am having to take for work. It's explaining the new Diesel Exhaust Fluid system in the 2011 diesel cummins trucks. Looks like a bit of a pain in the ass but creates almost zero emissions converting diesel exhaust into water and carbon dioxide through chemical reactions in the Diesel Particulate Filter, a DEF reactor and another filter I can't recall the name of. This fluid is injected into the reactor and turns into ammonia which reacts with the exhaust causing the water/CO2 end result. There's a tank that holds the Exhaust Fluid that will need to be topped off every so often and if it runs empty the truck won't start  . They recommend topping off the tank at every oil change.

[dewandgin]

Yep the Mid Year 2010 Duramax's will have it also they are using Urea based mixing solution. Duramax's have numerous warnings but if you run it dry it will still start but you can only go 5mph. Just ordered 2 55 gal drums of it.

[fishcrazy]

I have read about the exhaust fluid. Next will be blinker fluid.    I can't get over the new beafed up Duramax. crazy hp and trq and the other things like huge towing wieght and bigger brakes. I think they have started to listen to what customers want. If I had one I would get EFI live and just do away with the exhaust fluid and all the other crap on the truck.

Kris

[whacker1]

and if you don't run them hard for a could chunk of time once a month the DPF plugs up.  

Fuel mileage goes down with the addition of the DPF.  I do love that technology makes these motors so much more efficient when it comes to exhaust, but i hate the fact that we are sacrificing fuel economy for emmissions.  Enviro whack jobs and politicians want us to lessen our dependence on oil/fossil fuels, but in the same note they want us to cut our emissions.  Can't have your cake and eat it too, well at least not with today's technology.

 

[MuleySniper]

As soon as my warranty expires.... Bye bye DPF Mine will result in a chemical reaction of me pressing down on my gas pedal in return offering the vehicle next to or behind me a beautiful black cloud of eco enhancing smoke Oh, yeah, and about 50 more hp and 6-8 more mpg's.
MS

[Rick]

I think they have started to listen to what customers want.

IMO they're NOT listening to what customers want. I guarantee you there are more guys wishing for better fuel mileage than 400hp.

Whats more useful for 95% of the guys driving diesels?  An additional 5mpg or an additional 25hp?

The diesel engines of 7-8 years ago made more than enough power for the general public.

[jackelope]

correct Rick...75% of the guys driving these cummins trucks have no need for 309hp and 600+ ftlbs fo torque

[whacker1]

IMO they're NOT listening to what customers want. I guarantee you there are more guys wishing for better fuel mileage than 400hp.

Whats more useful for 95% of the guys driving diesels?  An additional 5mpg or an additional 25hp?

The diesel engines of 7-8 years ago made more than enough power for the general public.

OK, I am going to get on my soap box for a minute.  I totally agree with much of the sentiment expressed by others.

i wonder what would happen if they just let engineers design the most fuel efficient engines possible with out care for emissions?
Diesel pickups go from about 14-17 miles per gallon (depending on brand) with current emissions to 23-25 miles per gallon if you use the modern technology without the emissions requirements.  I may be a little off, but my point is that there has been a dramatic swing in diesel and gas technology in the last 20 years.  Here is my problem with the situation:  How much in clean emissions do we have as a carbon footprint at 14 miles per gallon vs. 23 miles per gallon with less fuel consumption.  My thinking here is that we are ultimatley sacrificing 40-60% on fuel efficiency to have cleaner emissions.  How many more metric ton of clean emissions do you really get if you are burning 40-60% more fuel nationwide?  Maybe I am way off, and technology really has reduced emissions to a point where this makes sense, but I find it hard to believe that they have cut emissions by 50% and increasing fuel consumption by 50% over the alternative.  My bet is that at best we are at break even.

Same is true on some of the gas motors.  Why is it that an early 1980's chevy citation can get 32 miles per gallon, but a chevy malibu or ford taurus can barely get to 32 miles per gallon almost 30 years later?

[Buckmark]

Yep the Mid Year 2010 Duramax's will have it also they are using Urea based mixing solution. Duramax's have numerous warnings but if you run it dry it will still start but you can only go 5mph. Just ordered 2 55 gal drums of it.

Just PEE in the exhaust fluid tank...

[jackelope]

Muleysniper's been doing his homework on the upgrades to his truck...6-8mpg's increase without the Diesel Particulate Filter crap.
I had a 1994 Chevy 6.5 liter turbo diesel 3/4 ton long bed ext cab truck with big tires on it and got 22mpg all the time and I drove it like I stole it. Granted that was a turd motor but I could drive from Bellevue to Montana on 1 tank of fuel.
Our PT Cruisers get 16mpg on the highway...talk about pissed off customers!! A little tiny 4 cylinder car that won't top 20mpg on the highway.
These trucks are also costing upwards of $50k to buy...I gotta wonder how much more $$ all the useless emissions crap adds to the price of the new trucks these days.

I am envisioning some new service drive upsell opportunities....
Diesel Exhaust Fluid service...
 
maybe about $169.95+tax.
 

[Woodchuck]

Dont sell yourself short, i am sure i will be selling my exhaust fluid services for 239.95 

[Curly]

You must have had 3.73's in your truck, Jackelope.  I get 17mpg out of my 6.5TD, but it has 4.10's........I wish I would have swapped out those low gears for 3.73's years ago.

[sisu]

Yep the Mid Year 2010 Duramax's will have it also they are using Urea based mixing solution. Duramax's have numerous warnings but if you run it dry it will still start but you can only go 5mph. Just ordered 2 55 gal drums of it.

Just PEE in the exhaust fluid tank...

All the bars will have drive up service, free schooner for every 5th pee. 

[jackelope]

I couldn't tell you what gears I had but I would assume I had the lower gears...it was a 8600gvw heavy duty with all the bells and whistles. It did have bigger tires on it which will raise the gear ratio a bit. maybe that helped. Also had aftermarket intake and exhaust stuff which helped.
 

[Sporting_Man]

We need smaller diesel engines that will power smaller pickups and SUVs... Some people can get away with Ford Ranger sized pickup, with modern and potent diesel, that would yield 25 mpg, or so... 160-170 diesel horses, with tons of torque. I would be first in line for such a truck...