DEF gone from shelf ......

[donblaz]

You can look that up. I was a hd truck mechanic for lots of years and when we first started using DEF we were told by our supplier that drivers should not keep it for long periods as there is a shelf life. Sorry thats all I remember. I’ve been retired for 5 years now.......don’t know if things have changed. I do know DEF has been used in europe for years.

[Keebler]

According to the folks at PEAK, "when stored under optimal conditions — between 12°F and 86°F — DEF has a shelf life of up to two years. If stored in warmer temperatures, shelf life decreases." https://www.peakhd.com/lifeblood/flu...contamination/

[oskur d]

If you buy Blue Def in your local Walmart or auto supply store here is how to date it.

It will have a stamped code on the side of the box which reads something like this: GA21 331 1068
GA = the designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF
21 = the year of the manufacture date plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2020.
331 = start with 365 days in a year. Subtract 331 from 365 = 34. So this DEF was made on the 34th day of the year or Feb.3
1068 = batch code

I've heard that DEF is good for about 1 year (unverified).
Hope this helps.

[johndeerefarmer]

You do know there is a shelf life on DEF right?

Good way to sell more DEF
. Water doesn't have an expiration date. Urea fertilizer in liquid form can be stored for years. So water + urea is good for years

[SolarPoweredRV]

Good way to sell more DEF
. Water doesn't have an expiration date. Urea fertilizer in liquid form can be stored for years. So water + urea is good for years

The problem with this "Stored for years" idea is that the containers this stuff is sold in is not completely Air Tight and the Urea begins to crystallize when stored, and, crystallized DEF is a really, really, bad thing for your Diesel Engine.

The best thing for your Diesel truck is the freshest DEF you can find. If you do buy jugs of DEF don't keep them longer than 6 months without using them, this stuff has really poor shelf life for automotive applications.

[mageorge]

Shopping is crazy .... we have supplies because we stock for hurricane season and use it up over spring /summer .... I needed some DEF so stopped at Walmart there were only 6 on the shelf ... usually plenty in 2 places one shelf was empty the other had the 6 .... it is going to be long few months ... later Frank

I just read this earlier while my wife was in a Sam's Club, so I asked her to check and see if they had any DEF. A couple minutes later, I got a Yes, $12.00 you want 1 or 2? I was below half so I opted for one 2-1/2 gallon case.

[oskur d]

I have a friend with a 2016 Dodge (Cummins). He regularly kept his DEF tank topped off. Eventually had problems. Found out that the DEF in his tank had gone bad. $600 later he was good to go. Needless to say he doesn't do that anymore.

Good way to sell more DEF
. Water doesn't have an expiration date. Urea fertilizer in liquid form can be stored for years. So water + urea is good for years

[frank4711]

Shelf Life of DEF
It will degrade over time, but if stored at temps between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, DEF has an expected shelf life of one year. You can extend the shelf life to two years by storing at a temperature that stays around 75 degrees.... I normally do not buy ahead ... but have couple of 2 1/2 during this dark cloud ... mine are in garage which has a/c kept at about 77 ... if I wait until light comes on I can put in 5 gallons .... best way to keep it fresh here in Fl ... summers are hot .... later Frank

[Ensignsailor]

Got burned at wallyworld yesterday. Lesson learned. Beside checking date on DEF, remove cap and check to see if seal is broken. There are human scum that refill jug with water and return for refund.