Diesel Exhaust Fluid. Been frequenting this forum for a couple years now and i don't recall ever seeing much discussion on the topic.

so i'm throwing it out there.. I don't have any practical experience with the stuff but i do know generally what it is.

What is it good for?
Could a system be installed after market? Why would one want to do that?

Discussion GO!

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

One can reduce emissions of NOx in an emissions stream via a process called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). It requires the addition of a nitrogen containing material (often urea or ammonia). This has been done for many years on powerplants, and most recently has been applied to diesel vehicles. It requires careful control of exhaust temps, so I doubt a retrofit would be easy. I think this isn't discussed much here because most of us have older cars and are trying to keep performance up and costs down.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

I think Hot Rod magazine did an article on adding a DPF... they might have done one on a urea kit... not sure.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I have a dpf filter on my fuso and it has been the biggest pita since it was new. In my opinion, there is no benefit to it because the stupid thing takes 20 minutes "purging". It usually burns up 1/8 of a tank.

I don't know what it's like to NOT have the cel light on.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

A DPF or urea injection system is not something you willingly add to an older Diesel. Part of the reliability of these older Diesels is that they do not have those devices attached.

Unless you are in an area where emissions laws are extremely strict and require you to retrofit such a device to your car, you should not have to worry about DEF.

The DEF fluid is for newer model Diesels and it is injected into the exhaust to make a chemical reaction to reduce certain emissions. It is the urea fluid for a urea injection system. Your urine contains urea and that is what gives pizz a certain, distinct smell. If you ride behind a bus or a truck that smells like urine/bleach, it has a urea injection system. The smell burns my nose and is very unpleasant. I personally feel that these types of emissions control devices convert one bad gas into another bad gas. It is throwing good money after bad.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

The DEF is made from natural gas and deionized water, a 32% solution. The "bad gas" you smell is nitrogen and water vapor, and possibly ammonia left over from the process.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

doesn't seems like DEF has many fans.

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

the first time i read about urea diesel exhaust fluid, i thought someone had copy/pasted an article from theonion. it's the perfect combination of muffler bearings and blinker fluid...with some pizz mixed in.

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

I imagine that with a properly monitored EGT probe you could get it to clean up emissions without stinking. I'll just stick to conventional methods though-intercooler and low exhaust temps

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

It's better than the alternative, which is more EGR, retarded timing, and more soot production. Navistar tried that route with "advanced" EGR, and it cost the president his job. They are now using the DEF process supplied by Cummins.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.