I would remove it yourself and drain it, then take that check ball out if you can that way you can suck it out if you have too. Also of you want a drain valve on it, drill a hole and put one in. It's probably not too hard. I would check on warranty stuff first before I drilled it

 

I had a hard time draining mine when i did the delete.....with the tank out! I first tried sticking a screwdriver in the checkball but that nasty stuff was runnin down my arm, so i took the pump out and threw the tank in the driveway upside down

 

Engineers, don’t you just love them!

 

indeed

 

This wasn't poor engineering. The lack of a drain on that tank was most likely a cost-savings decision. I was just cheaper to not put one on there.
Anyway, the dealer removed the fill tube at the top of the tank and drained it from there (after I told them I didn't think they needed to drop the tank).
I really needed a tire rotation so that plus the drain and refill with GM DEF came to $200. Yeah, it was a typical dealer rip-off but I didn't have time to fool around with the truck this week. I was also concerned that the truck would go into "limp mode" due to the DEF warning.
Lessons learned:
1. Don't use the Peak BlueDef DEF. The problem started a few weeks after
adding 1.5 gallons of that stuff. Maybe it's OK if fresh, but why risk it?
2. Don't top off the DEF tank - especially if you drive low miles AND live in
a hot climate. The stuff degrades pretty quickly.
3. Always post your questions about Duramax issues on this forum
BEFORE you take your vehicle in for service!

Thanks again.

 

They identified the DEF issue here (TheDieselPage.com - LML Duramax 6600 - Engine & Emissions Tech - February 2010 )..."DEF degrades over time at temperatures above 86 degrees F. Average shelf life should exceed one year, so only those trucks that do NOT consume a tank of DEF fluid over a twelve month period(6000 to 9000 miles) in a warm climate would need to be concerned"

 

curious how they syphined with that check ball in there....hmmm

 

Yeah, I'm not sure exactly what they did but I see fluid leaking now on the frame below where the DEF fill tube is. Maybe they didn't position or tighten the clamp that connects the fill tube to the tank.
After 3 hours of being held hostage in the "waiting room" you just wanna get the heck out of there and move on with your life. Guess I'll give it until tomorrow and see if it keeps leaking.

 

The dealer wanted to charge me 129$ just to evaluate the problem plus 175$ to clean the tank of the bad def. They called me and told me it was "all set". I got there and asked what was the level of urea in the def that they deemed to be "bad" as it needs a minimum of 32.5%. They had no answer so I asked for a sample and I would send it out to be tested before I pay. They didn't save any as they washed out the tank. I told them to find the real problem and get back to me. The "real problem" was a bad nox sensor. Free under warranty. Be careful what you get taken for at a dealership.

 

Im with dis guy. I had a bad nox sensor that threw multiple codes. Bad def was one of them. I know GM has knowledge of this issue, stand up and do the right thing.

 

I have friends with early 2011 trucks and nothing but trouble with DEF who all just got p/o'd and deleted......but my truck (with just short of 30k on the clock) has only ever seen Peak Blue fluid and has yet to have an ounce of trouble (probably just jinxed myself....but I've been looking for an excuse...) - hope I don't run into a bad batch, but have to say my luck with it has been pretty darn good so far.

 

Thanks, and I agree. If any more DEF-related warnings or codes are thrown I'll take it back and have them check the NOX sensor.

 

My Truck threw the Poor quality DEF light about 2 months back. A few months prior i had my oil change at the dealership and had them add DEF too. Turns out the DEF they had at the shop was expired and it caused the DEF light to come on and then they had to replace BOTH NOX sensor, which took two weeks because they didnt have the sensor in stock. Talk about frustrating.
They drained the DEF in my truck and added new. I dont know how they drained it thou.
But all the work was under warranty.

 

Has anyone drilled a hole in the tank near the top and added a cap? I would use a syphon hoses to drain it. So far, unbolting it and taking the pump off seems the best.

 

I have to add here, if I didnt ask here first why I kept getting a CEL the dealer would have never fixed it properly. It threw up "poor def" and "cel" so they put more def into it and cleared codes. Said all good. Didnt even get to driveway and threw codes again. Did some research here, asked a question or two, solid info given and problem solved. Thank all of you that responded to my original post!

 

Any DEF issues should be emissions and that is covered under warranty till 100K, right?

 

Absolutely sir. If they dont and want to charge you I would fight it. I am all for clean emissions and think the black smoke thing is embarrassing to the diesel community but GM needs to do the right thing and support that stance too. I believe they know the nox sensor is sketchy. I like to think its teething pains and they will work it out. Rose colored glasses? Maybe but I got faith that eventually they will have a fix.

 

I agree completely . This stuff will become reliable at some point. The ones that buy something as soon as it comes out are always the guinea pigs when it comes to new technology (re Lml )

Sent from my SCH-I510 using AutoGuide App

 

I've had this problem also... I've always used Peak Blue DEF to refill the tank... The truck has 15k miles on it... When I first got the CEL light @ 10k, I took it to the dealership... They cleared the codes and updated the software to the latest version and said see how that works...

On my way home I got the CEL and Exhaust Fluid Poor Quality warning message again... So I take it back again.. Now the tech researches more and says we'll order a NOX sensor and call you when it gets in... After they installed the new NOX sensor I've yet to have anymore problems knock on wood... I hate how they try this and try that... I spend more money in fuel going back and forth to the dealership that they should be reimbursing me on the cost... :rof

 

@LML2011, I'm happy to look into the warranty information pertaining to your vehicle. If you would like me to do this please, send me a private message providing me with the VIN of your truck.

Happy Friday.

Michelle, GM Customer Service

 

I work at a dealer u can use the tech 2 to run the def pump, and unhook the def injector. I believe drilling out the check ball would be a bad idea because the system pressurises itself to check for leaks.

 

just looked at my tank when i went to the shed for something and there isnt a check ball like some fuel tanks, its actually a little spring loaded flapper door....this would make sense, you can put a hose in to syphon with no problem

 

KensAuto,

That's good news as thats what I want to do. My truck has been sitting for 7 months inside of a garage and I'm worried the DEF is getting to be poor-quality. I bought a siphon and some plactic hose to fit into the fill tube. About what size hose do you think will fit through the flapper valve?

Thank you for the help.

Walt

 

Just add some fresh DEF and you should be good to go. Going to be a pain to snoke a hose from the top of the fill port with the bend in th line.

 

I'm at 18k miles and just bought my 3rd 2.5 gallon jug of Peak BluDef. I've never had any issues with the system nor have I ever had a message/warning light. I have been adding a jug about every 6k miles. Just bought the 3rd jug, the truck was in regen mode when I parked it today. So when it finishes I will add the new jug. According to the Peak website, the shelf life is up to 2 years. From the Peak website:

BlueDEF HANDLING AND STORAGE
The shelf life of DEF is directly related to the temperature at which
it is stored. Storage temperature between 12º and 90º F are
recommended to maintain optimal shelf life of up to two years. If
BlueDEF freezes, its efficacy will not be effected upon thawing.

Phillip

 

you could get a garden hose in there if you take the fill tube off

 

I just went through the whole def quality low And cel. Had bank 1 NOx sensor replaced then 120 miles later the same thing happened again and had to replace bank 2 NOx sensor. warranty is 5yr/50,000 miles on all emissions components. GM really needs to get there stuff together with there emissions components.

 

So... not quite 3 weeks after the last visit to the local GM service center I once again get the "Poor quality DEF fluid" warning in the DIC. Now I know it's not the DEF because they drained it and replaced it (and charged me almost $200). I mentioned they might want to check the NOx sensors but that suggestion was shrugged off as irrelevant.
The shop kept the truck overnight and ran a 2 hour high idle test (almost ran it out of fuel too) and told me that the catalytic converter was bad and needed to be replaced. A new one was ordered and installed the next day.
No charge this time, and I'm hoping it's fixed but we'll see.

 

subd