When you set out to buy any vehicle, you will need to carry out proper research on the different options that fall within your budget. It is important to make a list of pros and cons for each option so that you end up making an informed decision.
An RV is not a cheap vehicle, it comes with a hefty price tag. The higher the price, the more involvement is required for that particular decision. Purchasing a good-quality motorhome or RV requires you to do proper research on the vehicle.
RVs have multiple features that differ from other cars. Due to this reason, it is extremely important to find out the specific perks that your RV has to offer. What is the space inside? How much weight can it carry? How much power does it need to charge? How much fuel does it consume? And many other technical aspects of the vehicle.
One of the most important parts of this is the engine in your vehicle. It is responsible for pulling around all the weight of your luggage that is being carried. Cummins is a popular and common name in the engines industry.
It is extremely important to check out the brands that have a great following. Mainly because such high involvement decisions are not made every day. And popular brands are usually doing most things right, which is why people prefer them over other numerous options available in the market. Moreover, well-known brand names usually have a great customer relations department.
They have a huge lineup of these devices as well as generators and equipment related to these products. One feature that most people love about Cummins engines is the DEF system or also known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid.
This system ensures that the quantities of urea and deionized water in your engine are balanced in an appropriate ratio. However, like any other machinery, Cummins DEF system can also encounter some common problems . This is why we will be using this article to tell you about some of these issues along with fixes for them.
Cummins DEF System Problems
1. Handling of DEF
If your Cummins engine is running the DEF system then you might already have some of this fluid stored in your house or vehicle. However, when it comes to storing DEF, there are some things that you need to keep in mind so that you do not end up causing any issues unknowingly.
The product has to be stored in a place where it does not come in contact with direct sunlight. This can damage it and might even render the solution useless. Additionally, the company suggests that people keep their DEF stored in a cool location indoors if possible. Direct sunlight can ruin the internal composition of a lot of materials, especially fluids.
The product should be in a stainless steel or plastic bottle when not in use. Furthermore, you should only open up the bottle if you have to fill up your system with some additional solution. It is important to prevent such fluids from coming into contact with air. It can alter the nature of such solutions.
Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that DEF starts to freeze at 12 degrees so that is the lowest possible storage temperature that it can have. Though this does not affect the quality of the product, it should remain in perfect condition even when frozen.
But you need to keep a check on the storage container for DEF because the solution can expand to about 7% when it is frozen. Aside from this, if you want to keep a lot of this solution stored at your home then the top recommendation is to purchase a container instead of small multiple bottles.
2. DEF Getting Contaminated
If you are running into problems with the DEF system then most of these are usually related to the solution being contaminated. This is quite common as DEF is an extremely sensitive solution and it can easily get contaminated. This is exactly why you have to take extra precautions when it comes to handling this product so as to not ruin its purity.
If you have gone through the steps mentioned above then you should already know how the solution can be stored and some things to look out for. However, the most common reason for DEF to get contaminated is when filling it in your engine or when trying to check it. This is because when you open the cap, most users just install it back in after they have filled up the solution.
Although, in this case, you have to ensure that no dust enters the tank while you have the lid open. Additionally, make a habit of cleaning the sides of your tank as well as the cap to ensure DEF does not get contaminated.
You can even check the urea levels in your tank to ensure if it has been contaminated or not. However, you will have to purchase a meter for this which is why you should try to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.
3. Mileage Problems
When it comes to having mileage problems in your vehicle, DEF can be the main culprit behind these issues because this solution tends to cause such issues. In this case, the most common recommendation is to stop using the DEF system.
Most people who have deleted the DEF system have reported getting about a 30% improvement in their mileage. However, this works best on large vehicles and the results for cars are not the same.
4. DEF Crystallization
There are a few reasons why DEF can develop a problem of crystallization. The first is that you add too much DEF to the system. This can cause overdosing, which can prevent DEF from hydrolyzing properly and small crystals can form in the injector nozzle or exhaust.
Overdosing can be caused accidentally if the DEF pump has an issue or the DEF lines are plugged. Another reason due to which crystallization may occur is if you frequently use hard water to top up the DEF system.
5. DEF Dilution
Sometimes you can end up adding way too much water when topping up your DEF system. This can end up causing dilution in the whole solution. It can turn the fluid ineffective. Topping up with a lot of water can also lead to crystallization.
6. DEF Freezing
If DEF freezes while in its storage container, it is not a big issue and it can easily thaw. But if it freezes within the system during exceptionally cold weather then it can cause serious issues with the SCR system.
All these are the many issues that can occur with Cummins DEF systems. It is always best to find out as much as you can about these issues so that you are not caught off guard while you are facing some engine trouble.
Moreover, an engine is the most important part of a vehicle and it is extremely important to understand what can go wrong with it and the system inside so you can learn the proper troubleshooting techniques.
