Trick to fill DEF tank from drivers side?

[Rustymayes]

Today I filled up my DEF tank for the first time using a pump at a truck stop. I have been buying the boxes of DEF at the parts house but its such a PITA. I used the driver's side fuel fill for the fuel but the DEF port quickly backed up and would not take any volume of DEF. I had to maneuver the coach to the other side of the pump island to fill the tank directly. Has anyone had this issue and had any luck correcting it?
Thanks

 

[Neal]

Maybe borescope to check for obstructions?

Amazon product ASIN B01MYTHWK4

 

[Rustymayes]

I'll try that, I remember the fellow that did our orientation say that filling from that side was not optimal and looking at the level the filler vs the top of the tank I see where it is a flawed design.

 

[SteveMA]

What model coach do you have? I always fill my Mountain Aire from the driver side — probably 99% of the time because of the way truckstops are and haven’t really had that problem. Sounds like there could be a blockage as Neil suggested. Sometimes I have to get the DEF nozzle in just right because some of them are really sensitive, but having had a previous coach with the deaf fill only on the passenger side, I can assure you it’s a nightmare I got yelled at more than a few times at truckstops for going in the wrong way, or using the DEF from the next lane over

 

[FLSteve]

Today I filled up my DEF tank for the first time using a pump at a truck stop. I have been buying the boxes of DEF at the parts house but its such a PITA. I used the driver's side fuel fill for the fuel but the DEF port quickly backed up and would not take any volume of DEF. I had to maneuver the coach to the other side of the pump island to fill the tank directly. Has anyone had this issue and had any luck correcting it?
Thanks

@Rustymayes ... same experience for me. I tried it once and have not used it since.

FLSteve

 

[Ventana]

I use the, "Fill an empty jug and pour it in at the campground method". I like the translucent containers because it is easy to monitor filling it up. At the campground I used a float meter to check the DEF before adding it. This method takes about 1 beer to administer. Your operating instructions may vary.

 

[Rich W.]

I use the, "Fill an empty jug and pour it in at the campground method". I like the translucent containers because it is easy to monitor filling it up. At the campground I used a float meter to check the DEF before adding it. This method takes about 1 beer to administer. Your operating instructions may vary.

I have the same results as long as its not the first one…

 

[JRS]

Wow.... Outside of filling with 2.5 gal jugs last summer while in Canada, it's always filled via the drivers side w/o any issues.
Maybe scope it per Neal's suggestion?

 

[Jim]

Today I filled up my DEF tank for the first time using a pump at a truck stop. I have been buying the boxes of DEF at the parts house but its such a PITA. I used the driver's side fuel fill for the fuel but the DEF port quickly backed up and would not take any volume of DEF. I had to maneuver the coach to the other side of the pump island to fill the tank directly. Has anyone had this issue and had any luck correcting it?
Thanks

I have the same problem. Took about 10 gallons and that was it. Have to fill it from the passenger side with boxes.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Almost sounds like the filler tube is drooping causing fluid to pool in a low spot. the pooling will allow the fluid to back up. Once fluid hits the filler Gun device it will stopp the flow.
Just a wild guess on my part.

 

[SteveMA]

But that would mean Newmar installed those crossover tubes wrong and we know they never make mistakes. I think everybody should spend some time and take a look at that tube. You can probably see it by looking over the top of the DEF tank in my unit I can see across there with a bright light see if it’s sagging. Joe, that’s a really good observation.

 

[Olbie]

We have a 2022 Mountain Aire and we have the same problem. While at Spartan last summer I asked about it and they said the issue is that there is not a sufficient air bleed for the tube filling on the drivers side. Filling too quickly causes an air lock and DEF stops filling. They said currently they had no fix in the works for it.

I just hold the nozzle as slow as it will go to fill for now hoping there is a fix at some point.

 

[Joe Hogan]

We have a 2022 Mountain Aire and we have the same problem. While at Spartan last summer I asked about it and they said the issue is that there is not a sufficient air bleed for the tube filling on the drivers side. Filling too quickly causes an air lock and DEF stops filling. They said currently they had no fix in the works for it.

I just hold the nozzle as slow as it will go to fill for now hoping there is a fix at some point.

This is very interesting, surprising one of the local DIY engineer type guys hasn't developed an alternate vent fix yet. From what I've read on line at various forums this is a pervasive issue.

 

[Rustymayes]

I noticed that the filler port on the driver side has a reducer in it to make sure one does not fill the DEF tank with diesel. I am thinking of just drilling some vent holes in the outer part of that flange to allow for additional venting or just remove it all together. One would need to be pretty dizzy to attempt filling with fuel since the fill is at the opposite end of the coach from the fuel tank filler ports.

 

[Joe Hogan]

I noticed that the filler port on the driver side has a reducer in it to make sure one does not fill the DEF tank with diesel. I am thinking of just drilling some vent holes in the outer part of that flange to allow for additional venting or just remove it all together. One would need to be pretty dizzy to attempt filling with fuel since the fill is at the opposite end of the coach from the fuel tank filler ports.

This is starting to remind me of the the No leaded fuel filler restriction Days. Same thing happened unless you angled the filler nozzle just right The tank refused any volume of filling.