DEF Fluid in Hydraulic fluid

[Mikestolarik]

Anything that would neutralize urea would not be suitable to dump into your hydraulic system. You have flushed the system as well as is feasible, run it awhile, then change the oil and filters again.

Be thankful that you did not put fuel or hydraulic oil into the DEF tank, that's a $17,000.00 opppppppssss.

Thanks for the guided direction. I’m going to run it for approximately ten hours, change fluid and filters, then again after another ten hours. Thanks

 

[ruger1980]

Anything that would neutralize urea would not be suitable to dump into your hydraulic system. You have flushed the system as well as is feasible, run it awhile, then change the oil and filters again.

Be thankful that you did not put fuel or hydraulic oil into the DEF tank, that's a $17,000.00 opppppppssss.

I have dealt with situations where fuel was added to the DEF tank a number of times. Remove the tank, clean and flush the system and run it. It will generally not damage any components in the DEF pump, lines or SCR. It may cause some faults to the DEF quality sensor but that is the only issues that I have seen.

 

[Mikestolarik]

I have dealt with situations where fuel was added to the DEF tank a number of times. Remove the tank, clean and flush the system and run it. It will generally not damage any components in the DEF pump, lines or SCR. It may cause some faults to the DEF quality sensor but that is the only issues that I have seen.

Yep, it s good thing I didn’t put diesel in the DEF

 

[ruger1980]

Yep, it s good thing I didn’t put diesel in the DEF

It would not have hurt your machine anywhere near what has happened so far.

As I have said you are taking a gamble. If all goes well you are out nothing. But be prepared for the possibility of expensive repairs in the future.

 

[Pau7220]

But be prepared for the possibility of expensive repairs in the future.

And the ”long winter of severe illness and death”…..

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Avoid any additives as they can just cause a whole different set of worries / issues!

Agreed! Unless an additive has been evaluated and approved for this by someone qualified to do so, you run a high risk of making things worse.


I agree with changing the filters, and maybe running the whole process one more time. Your math is spot on. A grand or so in fluid and filters sure beats replacing the pump and probably many other components. Not to mention the down time.

I would not be surprised if the "reduced lifespan" prophecy mentioned earlier is accurate, but if you can recover even 50% of the remaining lifespan, your method still makes sense to me.

I'm sure it's safe to assume that the perpetrator has been shot, court-martialed, and sent to the Russian Front, so no more needs to be said on that subject.

And if you recognize that line, you're an old bugger!

 

[Mikestolarik]

And the ”long winter of severe illness and death”…..

Well, aren't you just a burst of sunshine!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yep, it s good thing I didn’t put diesel in the DEF

It would not have hurt your machine anywhere near what has happened so far.

Mike, Yea Diesel in DEF tank is RELLY BAD!

Ruger, Actually, what has happed is minor in comparison to that!

 

[sheepfarmer]

Just read a description of a new "user friendly feature" where Kubota has color coded the oil and hydraulic fill ports....
for new tractor users. Not a bad idea.

Kubota's New Compact Tractors Target First-time Buyers

Kubota announced two new tractors at the 2022 National Farm Machinery Show.

www.agriculture.com

 

[cthomas]

You could drain a small amount of the hydraulic fluid and send it into blackstone. Describe what happened and have them do a fluid analysis. https://www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[cthomas]

I have dealt with situations where fuel was added to the DEF tank a number of times. Remove the tank, clean and flush the system and run it. It will generally not damage any components in the DEF pump, lines or SCR. It may cause some faults to the DEF quality sensor but that is the only issues that I have seen.

In my experience the diesel fluid destroyes the DEF heater ribbons(tank heater) and also had to replace the DEF lines(these lines are also heated). This applies to GM cars and trucks, but, can't see tractors having that much different components.

 

[whitetiger]

In my experience the diesel fluid destroyes the DEF heater ribbons(tank heater) and also had to replace the DEF lines(these lines are also heated). This applies to GM cars and trucks, but, can't see tractors having that much different components.

Here is the publication from Kubota,

DEF Tank Contamination with Diesel Fuel; SVL95-2S, M5, M6, M7
Document ID GE236
Status Published
Published Date 12/18/2019

Title
DEF Tank Contamination with Diesel Fuel; SVL95-2S, M5, M6, M7
Issue
Issue:
The customer filled up the DEF tank with diesel fuel and continued to operate the machine. The following codes can become active if operated long enough:

E: 9520 (Diesel Exhaust Fluid Quality Error)
E: 9601 (Engine Output Limit)
E: 9602 (Engine Idling Limit)

Diagmaster may show DTC: P207F (Diesel in DEF Tank)
Note: The DEF defrost lamp has been reported with diesel fuel contamination. If the customer says the DEF defrost lamp is turned on, make sure the DEF tank is not contaminated with diesel fuel.
Solution
Solution:
Due to contamination and degradation from diesel fuel, the following components will need to be replaced:

• DEF Header, Assembly
• DEF Injector
• DEF Fluid Pump
• SCR Selective Catalyst Reduction Muffler Assembly
• DEF Injection Lines

The DEF tank will need to be flushed and cleaned with deionized water. The DEF "Injection Compensation (ACU)" will need to be performed through Diagmaster for the new DEF injector.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

'color coded ports' ARE a great idea..hopefully there's an 'industry standard' that EVERYONE follows, cause I'd hate to hear about TWO different brand tractors on one farm being put 'out of commission' from refilling wrong fluids in them...

 

[Mikestolarik]

Just read a description of a new "user friendly feature" where Kubota has color coded the oil and hydraulic fill ports....
for new tractor users. Not a bad idea.

Kubota's New Compact Tractors Target First-time Buyers

Kubota announced two new tractors at the 2022 National Farm Machinery Show.

www.agriculture.com

Color coding does not always work. DEF fluid containers are clear. On my SS the DEF cap is blue. Blue containers are reserved for kerosean. Diesel color code is green, although transfer vessels for diesel are yellow. One of my Hydraulic caps is yellow, the other is black. The equipment fluid identification system is very flawed.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Color coding does not always work. DEF fluid containers are clear. On my SS the DEF cap is blue. Blue containers are reserved for kerosean. Diesel color code is green, although transfer vessels for diesel are yellow. One of my Hydraulic caps is yellow, the other is black. The equipment fluid identification system is very flawed.

Agreed.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: Diesel color code is green, although transfer vessels for diesel are yellow.
grrrrrrrr....WHY ????? this makes ZERO sense...
and BLUE for kerosene? should be 'blue for water'...
sigh...............................

 

[ruger1980]

Mike, Yea Diesel in DEF tank is RELLY BAD!

Ruger, Actually, what has happed is minor in comparison to that!

As stated I have dealt with fuel in the DEF tank numerous times. It does not affect the SCR system to any measurable degree.
Now DEF in the fuel is another story. That you can expect major component replacement. I have had to listen to a number of customers complain because they had a $30k plus bill to replace their fuel system.
just finished dealing with one that was so bad the cylinder head and liners were rusted so they elected to replace the engine. Their choice due to hours on the machine but still a cost of $50k that was premature.

 

[ruger1980]

re: Diesel color code is green, although transfer vessels for diesel are yellow.
grrrrrrrr....WHY ????? this makes ZERO sense...
and BLUE for kerosene? should be 'blue for water'...
sigh...............................

Their is not industrial standards for diesel, hydraulic or other oil handling. There is an ISO standard for DEF dispensing, the cap is blue and there are standards on the size of the filler nozzle/neck.

 

[Tx Jim]

Color coding tank filler caps may help. JD did the same thing back in beginning 1961 on 10 series tractors. Red fuel cap & Black rubber ring around radiator neck. I still had customers put antifreeze in fuel tanks & diesel in radiators.

 

[whitetiger]

Color coding tank filler caps may help. JD did the same thing back in beginning 1961 on 10 series tractors. Red fuel cap & Black rubber ring around radiator neck. I still had customers put antifreeze in fuel tanks & diesel in radiators.

Coding the caps will not eliminate the problem, some people are color blind and many do not pay any attention.

We had a rental customer whose employee added diesel to the DEF tank. He claimed it was not his financial responsibility because his employee only could read Chinese.