DEF fuel line

[ACPC]

Does anyone know if I can get an elbow for my DEF Fuel line. I found a kink in the line just below the fuel fill "S" turns. Mine turns down and left then right just before it heads to the DEF tank. Since that stuff is corrosive, I wasn't sure what I should use. The guy at Auto Place said PVC elbow, but thought I would ask those with experience, for your advice. Thanks - Albert

 

[rowdy-ORO]

DEF is liquid nitrogen also used for fertilizer on wheat and corn crops. Farm stores will carry what you are looking for. I heard they are going to start using DEF on diesel lawn mowers soon. Like they oil men don't have enough money they have to reach in the other pocket too.

 

[drtnsnw]

your truck is less than a year old, why not have the nearest dealer fix it right? I am one of those guys that never takes my rig in but for something like that I would have them fix it

Chris

 

[Camr]

On my previous POS F-250 the DEF became so slow to fill that had the dealer check it out. They reported that the fill line "collapsed" and I ended up paying for a new fill line. What I found out later was that it is not uncommon for DEF fluid to crystallize in the line, partially blocking it. A solution is to manually squeeze and flex the line to break up the crystals. The second time that it happened, the technique worked, without a $300 repair bill. I clearly got taken to the cleaners by the dealer who replaced the "collapsed" fill line.
If you are placing any connections into the fill line, I would watch for obstructions where the connectors may narrow the fill line.

 

[COTHAMM]

Some say DEF is corrosive. Look it up, see MSDS sheet on the stuff, tell me if corrosive.

Distill water w ammonia?

 

[ACPC]

Thanks guys for your replies.
Chris ... I took it to the dealer, he said he would have to replace the line, but would need to order the part. I asked it he could get me an elbow to put in-line where the kink is. He said he would lookup the part I needed and get back to me. That was 3 weeks ago. I didn't get a quote on the Line or the Elbow.

Cam ... are you not worried that if you squeeze the line the crystals will just fall into the tank and stop something else up? I don't like the $300 option either. Narrowing the line is why I didn't want to splice it. But my line looks to be shaped and formed like a radiator hose.

Mickey ... Your are right about Diesel Urea. If not corrosive, you think any PVC elbow will work? I know it dulled the finish below the Fuel fill door where I let it run out after filling one time. Maybe after it dried the crystals scratched the clear coat. And why it crystalized in the line.

"rowdy" ... thanks for the Farm Store suggestion, I will try Tractor Supply and Gebo's.

Thanks again - Albert

 

[COTHAMM]

Thanks guys for your replies.
Chris ... I took it to the dealer, he said he would have to replace the line, but would need to order the part. I asked it he could get me an elbow to put in-line where the kink is. He said he would lookup the part I needed and get back to me. That was 3 weeks ago. I didn't get a quote on the Line or the Elbow.

Cam ... are you not worried that if you squeeze the line the crystals will just fall into the tank and stop something else up? I don't like the $300 option either. Narrowing the line is why I didn't want to splice it. But my line looks to be shaped and formed like a radiator hose.

Mickey ... Your are right about Diesel Urea. If not corrosive, you think any PVC elbow will work? I know it dulled the finish below the Fuel fill door where I let it run out after filling one time. Maybe after it dried the crystals scratched the clear coat. And why it crystalized in the line.

"rowdy" ... thanks for the Farm Store suggestion, I will try Tractor Supply and Gebo's.

Thanks again - Albert

I am not sure if DEF will attack PVC. I recall reading something bout not to use any "yellow metal". You need to research this. Surf Internet for info. Or contact DEF supplier for materials compatibility info.

 

[Doc-ORO]

Does anyone know if I can get an elbow for my DEF Fuel line. I found a kink in the line just below the fuel fill "S" turns. Mine turns down and left then right just before it heads to the DEF tank. Since that stuff is corrosive, I wasn't sure what I should use. The guy at Auto Place said PVC elbow, but thought I would ask those with experience, for your advice. Thanks - Albert

You have a 2015 truck, have it repaired under the warranty.

In regard to DEF being corrosive I got the info below from http://semlerindustries.com/def-faq
Q. Is DEF corrosive?

A. DEF is corrosive against some metals such as Copper and brass. Only approved materials such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) may be used in DEF storage, dispensing, or blending equipment.
The following is a list of approved and un-approved materials:

Approved DEF Materials
Stainless Steel (304, 304L, and 316)
High Density Polyethylene
Titanium
Polypropylene
Poly-isobutylene
Epoxy Resins
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) free of additives

Materials to Avoid
Carbon Steels, Zinc coated Carbon Steels, mild iron
Non-ferrous Metals, copper, brass, zinc, lead
Solder containing lead, silver, zinc, or copper
Aluminum and aluminum alloys
Magnesium and magnesium alloys.

Doc

 

[ACPC]

Mickey and Doc - Thanks for your replies. As for warranty, you are right, but I am waiting for the dealership for some reason. I think they are going to replace the full elbow piece, see pic. It may be on order I don't know. But I need DEF and the line will not flow. After reading Cam's note above, I went out and squeezed the line. The kink opened up, but collapsed just ahead of the previous spot.

So I decided to rig the line until I hear from the dealer. I put a hose clamp on the line were it was kinked and another just above the collapse. The hose clamp holds the line round, and I got flow for now. It seems to me that the turn in the line is too flimsy anyway. I will have it fixed before my next long trip. - Albert

 

[BCM-ORO]

Definitely looks like a manufacturing defect your dealer needs to attend to under warranty. Nice work adjusting it until they can get to it.

 

[Doc-ORO]

Do you have a custom bed on your truck?
I see a lot of aluminum diamond plate in the pix, could the location of the fill tube be shorter than the factory bed?
That could be the cause of the kinking of the hose.

Doc

 

[drtnsnw]

Do you have a custom bed on your truck?
I see a lot of aluminum diamond plate in the pix, could the location of the fill tube be shorter than the factory bed?
That could be the cause of the kinking of the hose.

Doc

I saw that too and was wondering the same thing. Looks like a flatbed or a aux tank. If the relocation of the tank caused the collapse your warranty on that part is SOL so fixing it yourself is the way to go. I would think that PVC would be a good option but with nipples you are going to get spots where it might collect and give you fits later on.

Chris

 

[ACPC]

Yes, custom bed. Here is the before and after shots" It might have contributed, but it was working. The bed was mounted back in April. Since then, I have be to Reno, Albuquerque, East Texas, and South Texas. And I have pumped DEF.

 

[BCM-ORO]

Nice. Does that void your warranty in any way? I would say something shifted over the miles resulting in the kink. The bed installer should be able to look at and adjust it easily.

 

[drtnsnw]

great looking bed! I am partial to flatbeds myself. I know guys with flats will carry blocks to drive on because they are awful about mucking up the angle of the fuel fill line and making it a real bear to put fuel in. I just go slow on mine.

Chris

 

[ACPC]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and complements. The dealer suggested the line replacement was covered, but that may be contributing to their delay. The fuel file line appeared to be the same length as the original, and it joins the line just above the label shown in the pic above. I questioned the warranty when I bought the bed. The installer stated that people relocate the filler all the time, and the rest of the line should be OK. The fuel line is a much thicker wall. harder hose. I was surprised the DEF line is so flimsy. The problem appears to be the turn where it goes over the frame and into the DEF tank, at the bottom of the pic. The line flattens out there. The hose clamps work surprisingly well.

I had the bed custom made for Bowling and Camping. The rear compartment holds a Honda Ei2000 Gen. The Wheel-well boxes will hold my backpack and tent packs. The forward boxes hold a 3 Ball bowling bag, standing of course. I can fit 3 3-ball bags in the rear box. Yes, I am a bowler, been bowling for 51 years now and travel a lot for bowling. Thanks again to all. -Albert

 

[handirifle]

You might be able to fix it simpler. Use a sweep for elec PVC. Use one that has the INSIDE diameter of the OUTSIDE diameter of your fill hose. Use a band saw and slit the sweep down its length. Cut the length (might do this part first) to make it suitable to fit the area, and then clamp the 2 halves AROUND the OUTSIDE of the fill hose. That should keep it round and open. You can use regular hose clamps, one at each end. I have see this done on radiator hoses that were trying to collapse from too tight of bend.

 

[Hounddog-ORO]

That line in the pick is A Ford part.Why is it on a Dodge?

 

[sandyhillbill]

That line in the pick is A Ford part.Why is it on a Dodge?

Custom bed--- ;-)

 

[Heavysledz-ORO]

looking at the before and after pics, the gas door is several inches lower on the new bed vs. the stock bed when comparing height to rear drivers side door handle. If the DEF fill hose wasn't shortened, that is the source of your kink....you may just need to disconnect it and remove a few inches from the top of the hose and reconnect to resolve the issue. you could also locate a spring s;eeve that goes over the outside of the hose and would also prevent it from kinking....