The engine light came on so I took my 2011 F250 into my local dealer where I have it serviced. I was just told by the service writer that after running the diagnostic check it appears the DEF "heater sender unit" needs to be replaced. This unit sits above the DEF tank and is apparently labor intensive. It apparently will cost (parts & labor) approximately $1100 to repair. Also, it appears to not be covered under any of the warranties.

Has anybody heard about this repair and is it doable on my own?

 

i only done duramax's not ford's...but i can tell you the labour time for the ford from mitchell is 1.8 hours and probably would be no more difficult than fuel tank sending unit or fuel pump.

What was the part cost $300?... and diag time?

are you over 36000miles?

 

Mine was $354 with the unit plus reservoir seal. It's easy to do. Don't give the scam artists at Ford your money brother. You need a couple of long 1/2 inch extensions, a ratchet, and 13 mm socket (also a small nut driver for the filler cap screws). The skid plate and tank mount bolts are all same size. Do yourself a favor and take the spare tire down also to get it out of the way. I have a 6 in suspension and 37's so all the room in the world to work.
If you don't have an extra set of hands to assist, you can use a floor jack to help you with actually lowering/lifting the tank. If first time doing it, but mechanically inclined, you can do this yourself in a couple of hours. Remove the large harness first, and don't bother with all the smaller ones until unbolted and can lower it a few inches.
Just clean everything up the best you can before exposing anything, and protect from anything getting in the tank and you should be fine. Unfortunately, this won't be the last issue you have with a DEF component. Trust me......

 

Wouldn't this be considered part of an emission system and therefore a more lengthy warranty might apply ? Mileage?