AD Blue Issue

[Martinbrister]

Hi All I see various people have had issues with engine management light on and cannot read AD Blue fluid level being shown , I have this issue however at various intervals the correct reading shows, for example 8600 miles left which has now dropped to 8300 miles , the car drives fine however engine management light worryingly remains lit and it continues to show cannot read level intermittently. My local garage did a diagnostic check which confirmed it is AD Blue fault he was of the opinion it was overfilled and would rectify itself as level drops, after researching it , it appears you cannot change level sensor but it needs to be whole tank ££££

 

[ALFAitalia]

Do a quick search on this very forum....Adblue issues are very common and unfortunately very expensive to correct most of the time. Personally I would not touch one with a very long pole indeed unless I was doing more miles than the Millennium Falcon!.....as it seems that all (and more) of the money you might save on fuel can often be eaten up with out of warranty repairs such as Adblue issues. I'm guessing from your post you have no remaining warranty?

Oh and.....

......to the forum!

 

[markjay]

Welcome.

So far, you are correct on all counts.

You could try removing the AdBlue fluid and replacing it with fresh good quality fluid, then add anti-crystallising agent. The chances of success aren't high, but for the cost it must be worth a shot.

Failing that, you'll just have to fork-out for a new tank and sensor (and hope that it cures the problem).

And, no doubt some on here will advise 'AdBlue delete' - you'll have to make up your own mind about this option (and the implications both legally and insurance-wise).

PS - Also, if you bought the car from a trader less than 6 months ago, you should take it back to where you bought it from.

 

[Martinbrister]

Welcome.

So far, you are correct on all counts.

You could try removing the AdBlue fluid and replacing it with fresh good quality fluid, then add anti-crystallising agent. The chances of success aren't high, but for the cost it must be worth a shot.

Failing that, you'll just have to fork-out for a new tank and sensor (and hope that it cures the problem).

And, no doubt some on here will advise 'AdBlue delete' - you'll have to make up your own mind about this option (and the implications both legally and insurance-wise).

PS - Also, if you bought the car from a trader less than 6 months ago, you should take it back to where you bought it from.

Thanks for your reply I had a feeling that was going to be the answer , at present I'm not getting the dreaded countdown issue and have added de- crystallising agent , have considered the AD Blue delete also but not really too clued up with the implications of that regarding getting it through MOT and resale value and of course the legal angle

 

[markjay]

Thanks for your reply I had a feeling that was going to be the answer , at present I'm not getting the dreaded countdown issue and have added de- crystallising agent , have considered the AD Blue delete also but not really too clued up with the implications of that regarding getting it through MOT and resale value and of course the legal angle

Just keep in mind that the EML will need to be off before the next MOT....

 

[SmartAmg]

Martin.

 

[BTB 500]

have considered the AD Blue delete also but not really too clued up with the implications of that regarding getting it through MOT and resale value and of course the legal angle

It's illegal but not (at present) that obvious, so in practice you're likely to get away with it - depends whether you're comfortable with this or not. You probably wouldn't want to openly declare it when selling a vehicle, although some buyers would consider it a plus. Others wouldn't want to buy a vehicle that's technically unroadworthy.

 

[markjay]

It's illegal but not (at present) that obvious, so in practice you're likely to get away with it - depends whether you're comfortable with this or not. You probably wouldn't want to openly declare it when selling a vehicle, although some buyers would consider it a plus. Others wouldn't want to buy a vehicle that's technically unroadworthy.

Personally, I wouldn't do it - I declare everything to the insurer, and I wouldn't want to own a car with undeclared modifications. Not everyone cares, though.

 

[Martinbrister]

Just keep in mind that the EML will need to be off before the next MOT....

Thanks I didnt know that tbh

 

[BTB 500]

Personally, I wouldn't do it - I declare everything to the insurer, and I wouldn't want to own a car with undeclared modifications. Not everyone cares, though.

Same here, but a lot of people do happily drive around with AdBlue delete (or gutted DPF, EGR delete, etc.). Bit of a problem if they start checking NOx during the MOT though.

I would never buy another diesel, given the choice. May have no option when I need to replace our Vito though.

 

[Nobby31]

Hi All
new to the forum. My E220D had a new NOx sensor for about £700 in August 23 and that seemed to resolve the engine management light issue. They told me that they are sensitive to water ingress!
Anyway now I have an Ad Blue problem some 6 months later and they want nearly £2,000 for an entire new tank with sensor in situ ....
I think but can't prove this is connected and of course I get nothing out of Mercedes so was thinking of disconnecting both the sensors on the NOx and Ad Blue ..... any thoughts from the experts out there. I can't stomach paying anymore to the Mercedes franchise ....its a licence to print money especially from those that just pay up!

 

[markjay]

Hi All
new to the forum. My E220D had a new NOx sensor for about £700 in August 23 and that seemed to resolve the engine management light issue. They told me that they are sensitive to water ingress!
Anyway now I have an Ad Blue problem some 6 months later and they want nearly £2,000 for an entire new tank with sensor in situ ....
I think but can't prove this is connected and of course I get nothing out of Mercedes so was thinking of disconnecting both the sensors on the NOx and Ad Blue ..... any thoughts from the experts out there. I can't stomach paying anymore to the Mercedes franchise ....its a licence to print money especially from those that just pay up!

Welcome.

I suggest that you find a good independent specialist, and forget about going to the dealer.

If you're lucky you might be able to get away with a cleaning of the AdBlue tank and sensor, and possibly also start using an anti-crystallisation agent.

And, if the car does need a complete new tank and sensor (unfortunately the sensor is not sold separately to the tank), it will be cheaper to have this done at an indie.

(Some on here may advise you to delete the AdBlue system, not what I would do, but make up your own mind)

 

[SmartAmg]

Nobby. Good luck with your motor. As said find a good indie near you.

 

[markjay]

View attachment 154666
Nobby. Good luck with your motor. As said find a good indie near you.

I see that PCS in Horndean is not a million miles away from you:

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

www.prestigecarservice.co.uk

 

[Nobby31]

Welcome.

I suggest that you find a good independent specialist, and forget about going to the dealer.

If you're lucky you might be able to get away with a cleaning of the AdBlue tank and sensor, and possibly also start using an anti-crystallisation agent.

And, if the car does need a complete new tank and sensor (unfortunately the sensor is not sold separately to the tank), it will be cheaper to have this done at an indie.

(Some on here may advise you to delete the AdBlue system, not what I would do, but make up your own mind)

Thank you for your reply. I am nervous about getting it disconnected but the problem seems to be that anyone installing a new tank/sensor won't also guarantee that they can eliminate the EMS warning light so it makes the whole operation a lot more risky!

 

[Nobby31]

I see that PCS in Horndean is not a million miles away from you:

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

www.prestigecarservice.co.uk

thanks I don't know the Horndean garage but I will look them up!

 

[Nobby31]

Appreciate the responses on this. What I seem to discover is that I can buy the unit for a few hundred BUT no one will guarantee that after 3 hours install that they can recode the EMS to remove the light! Makes the whole enterprise frought with risk!

 

[markjay]

Appreciate the responses on this. What I seem to discover is that I can buy the unit for a few hundred BUT no one will guarantee that after 3 hours install that they can recode the EMS to remove the light! Makes the whole enterprise frought with risk!

Sadly this is true for almost all AdBlue faults.

They can be fiendishly difficult to diagnose and fix. But some are straightforward, so hope for the best.

 

[markjay]

thanks I don't know the Horndean garage but I will look them up!

This is it:

BlackC55

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Hi All
new to the forum. My E220D had a new NOx sensor for about £700 in August 23 and that seemed to resolve the engine management light issue. They told me that they are sensitive to water ingress!
Anyway now I have an Ad Blue problem some 6 months later and they want nearly £2,000 for an entire new tank with sensor in situ ....
I think but can't prove this is connected and of course I get nothing out of Mercedes so was thinking of disconnecting both the sensors on the NOx and Ad Blue ..... any thoughts from the experts out there. I can't stomach paying anymore to the Mercedes franchise ....its a licence to print money especially from those that just pay up!

Have you considered having the system removed from the ECU via remapping software. £200 to £300 depending where you live. The car will no longer be emissions legal , but who's gonna know or check ??