Emissions code

Cody1774 · February 25, 2014

Last week my service engine light came on, only a week after I bought it. It was used, but I had it for more than a week before the light came on. I don't have a GM dealership nearby so I took it to a local mechanic who was able to scan the truck for me. He said it was a harmless code, something to do with the truck's emissions. He said I shouldn't be worried, but if it comes back on that I should obvisiously seek help from GM. He showed me the code on his computer, and I may as well had been reading Russian. Yesterday the light returned. I have been thinking about it constantly and I feel like I might have a theory. Is it possible that the diesel I get from our bulk station has a higher amount of sulphur than what the truck would like? And if that is the case, is it harmful for the new diesels, long term? Is it normal to go to the bulk station and ask for what their sulphur levels are at?

Prokopchuk_9 · March 1, 2014

How often you let it idle?

Cody1774 · March 3, 2014

I have a lot of idle time on my truck on a daily basis. It may idle for 2 hours at a time but rarely any longer than that without me driving for a bit anyways. Think that could be an issue? I've also noticed before the light came on the first time my DEF level went from 69% to 29% pretty quickly, and now for a quite a long stretch now its been at 29%. Today I filled up at Shell which probably has less sulphur than our bulk station, but that could be non issue, I really don't know. Im going to see if I can fit in a trip to the nearest GM dealer tomorrow and have it looked at.

KMGZ400 · March 3, 2014

What kind of DEF are you using? Did you check the date on the DEF when you added it?

Prokopchuk_9 · March 4, 2014

Dknt let it idle so much

Prokopchuk_9 · March 4, 2014

Or get straight pipe lokol

Cody1774 · March 6, 2014

GM has to order a new sensor. Coming from Ontario!! :O

Prokopchuk_9 · March 6, 2014

Hmm, I would seriously take a look at your idle time

Cody1774 · March 8, 2014

I'll try to cut back on my idle time as much as possible. Tough when we have had a fair dosage of -30 degrees and my job requires a lot of phone/hotspotting as well as me filling out all my paperwork.

I will definitely ask questions when my censor arrives. Thanks

redwngr · March 17, 2014

FWIW, all diesel manufactured in north america is now USLD. Dyed diesel is just to identify it as non-taxed - it's still USLD.

Cody1774 · April 2, 2014

just getting the warranty work done now. Waited roughly a month for the part to arrive. I guess it was back ordered....

Cody1774 · April 2, 2014

as I look over the final paper work it was the DEF heater that failed. probably nothing to do with idle time? ? I did ask the question to the tech but never got a definitive yes or no regarding long idle times being a problem. definitely going to cut back on it though