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Old 07-25-2011, 08:28 PM   #33
coolman
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 4,812
Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 3 View Post
No worries, I was only trying to be "witty" and would not do so at someones expense so, again my appologies.

I know we worked hard to try to get the tank large enough to make it between oil change intervals. It turns out it's really hard to do. I think we have an 8 gallon tank.

This was truly an engineering challenge, btw. Not only the above difficulties, but here are some of the concerns:

The truck won't pass emissions without the fluid
If the truck can't pass emissions, it isn't allowed to start
So you have to have interlocks for when the urea tank is empty
You must also warn the driver that the urea tank is going to be empty
To give a warning you need to know the level
After giving repeated warnings the vehicle is allowed to start only one or two more times, then you (I think) get one "limp home mode"
Oh, did I mention urea freezes? So you have to have a heater so that when you start the vehicle you can pass emissions tests. And repeated attempts at anti-freeze etc proved in effective
Oh yeah and what happens to urea when it freezes? It expands. What doesn't a plastic tank like? Something inside it freezing.

So all in it was a real challenge for the folks to get this engineered and in the trucks.

So if there were an easier solution, GM and the other OEMs would love to hear it.

I think it's the only known solution for meeting the stricter standards now in effect for 2011 and beyond.



LOL we had some discussions on peeing in the tank in the odd case you ran dry. Honestly not sure if that would work Why don't you try it and let us know in a OSU learning moment.
Why don't they have some kind of gauge to tell us the amount left. We can drive great distances in one day and getting the 800 miles left warning has almost gotten me in trouble a couple of times. We were told that it has a very short shelve life and that we shouldn't keep any extra with our trucks. I was also told that it is very corrosive and not good for you, so I don't want my guys handling it. What's your thoughts on what I've been told? This is why I hope that the small cars don't need it because I think it would end up being a deal breaker for most. I have a friend that owns a very large trucking company ,and he tells me that the have a ton of problems it. He calls it death fluid. LOL
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