#1 Diesel Fuel Requirement?

Steve Frazier

Founder
Staff member
This is a question about a pickup, not a big truck. Our Town Highway Dept. has a Chevy 2500 Duramax that requires DEF, I'm not sure of the year. It has had to return to the dealer on average every 3000 miles to have a sensor in the exhaust replaced. While it's covered under warranty, the time required to run back and forth to the dealer and loss of the use of the truck is costly. The dealer's explanation thus far is the truck requires #1 diesel instead of the much more common #2, that the #2 is gumming up the sensor. I'm not buying this, as this seems to be the only case of this problem the dealer has encountered. We have #2 diesel storage tanks and would either need an additional tank or buy fuel for that truck retail, both of which are inconvenient and costly. Has anyone heard any similar story to this?
 

Mitch504

Well-known member
Is this a winter only problem, or does it happen year round? If it's winter only, sorry I'm a southerner, I can't help you. If it happens in the summer, I call BS, because where would you get #1 in the summer at retail?

My inclination is, to call BS anyway. The owner's manual will have the diesel specs required.
 

Tiny

Well-known member
Snow job for sure . Find another dealer or get the regional guy down there with the threat of being an all super duty city . Stealerships drive me to the edge . Only reason to use No.1 diesel is for winter and then only 30 %
 
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Is this a winter only problem, or does it happen year round? If it's winter only, sorry I'm a southerner, I can't help you. If it happens in the summer, I call BS, because where would you get #1 in the summer at retail?

My inclination is, to call BS anyway. The owner's manual will have the diesel specs required.
#1 diesel is thinner and used in the winter up here, usually a 70-30% mix with #2, i've never seen #1 clear for sale at any local pumps. Its thinner so you'll burn more than #2.
 

Steve Frazier

Founder
Staff member
I made a few phone calls today and it seems this problem is the result of extended idling. The Exhaust Pressure sensor is the one that is being contaminated. Apparently these trucks that require DEF need to be run hot to keep them burning cleanly and this truck saw a lot of idle time. The driver has since changed his habits and is running the truck hard on occasion. We'll see how this works out. Everything that's been mentioned about #1 is a concern for us, and this problem will only be delayed using that fuel, not eliminated.
 

Tiny

Well-known member
I heard that same idle time warning for the all dodge one ton chase trucks . At 1st with no other explanation It was thought by most to be a fuel cost deal then later after some problems the real reason came out . The problem was gone after that
 

willys55

Active member
I work on alot of the Isuzu NPR's with the 5.2L and DEF, they idle to much and require forced Regeneration, Isuzu provides a switch on the dash for the driver to do a forced regen when ever the engine power reduction light comes on, some of the drivers have started running the trucks harder and some have begun shutting them off, but this runs the battery down while using the loading gates in the back. I'm pretty certain that the chevy trucks have a force option as well, need to look into it.
 
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