Adblue tank leak

[Tattmaylor]

Afternoon all.
Was giving my E220d convertible a hoover earlier and thought I’d best take a look under the boot floor (as I made the stupid mistake of not checking when I bought it). I found a lot of white crystallising on the Adblue tank connector/hose. Pic attached. Doesn’t seem to be leaking anything from what I can see, as it’s probably too caked up in crud. Should I be overly concerned or wait till the service to have it looked at and potentially replaced? Anyone else also had this issue?

 

[tode]

Tt looks as if you have a problem with a seal of some sort. I'd get it sorted now, since Adblue problems don't seem to fix themselves . . .

 

[Tattmaylor]

So I took the car to the garage to have the Adblue leak fixed. Replaced parts that were clogged or broken (which took a month). Have driven about 50 miles today and now getting the warning message about low Adblue and a mileage limit before it won’t start. Topped the Adblue up with about 10 litres, although there was still a visible amount in the tank, and still getting the warning message. Can’t see any leaks like last time.
Any ideas? The garage aren’t able to look again until the 28th.

 

[markjay]

Out of curiosity, did you buy the car from a trader, and if so did the seller pay for the repair?

With regards the message you are getting, the most common causes are either a faulty AdBlue acoustic level sensor (requires new AdBlue tank), or a faulty NOx sensor (requires new sensors). There are also other possible causes such an issue with the sensor's wiring or crystillisation of the AdBlue in the tank.

 

[rf065]

I believe you need too "teach in" the new values with STAR if you carried out some repairs on the Adblue system, did the garage do this?

 

[Tattmaylor]

Bought from a trader, but well out of warranty.
The garage I use said an injector was blocked and likely because I don’t drive the car much (I tend to drive into work twice a week, 16 miles each way, and any other journeys are local)
I did wonder whether a new tank might be required if the connections on top were crystallised like in the pic above. He said he’s sorted a lot of Adblue jobs but never seen that one before. I did notice a slight hot/burning smell the first time it happened and then again when I pulled up at the lights earlier. Engine temp seems to hold as normal.
I’ve topped up about 15 litres worth of Adblue. Might leave it till tomorrow and try recycling the ignition a few times to see if it works. Otherwise it’s booked back in for them to have another go.
Wish I’d never sold the old SL

 

[Tattmaylor]

I believe you need to "teach in" the new values with STAR if you carried out some repairs on the Adblue system, did the garage do this?

I’ve no idea to be honest. There were no warning messages or engine lights when I picked it up yesterday.

 

[rf065]

I’ve no idea to be honest. There were no warning messages or engine lights when I picked it up yesterday.

I'm assuming it's not a main dealer? They would surely know how to to do this. If it's not a main dealer do they have STAR?

 

[Slartibartfast]

I’ve no idea to be honest. There were no warning messages or engine lights when I picked it up yesterday.

Fingers crossed for you that it doesn't require a new Adblue tank as they are not cheap

 

[DSM10000]

Fingers crossed for you that it doesn't require a new Adblue tank as they are not cheap

New tank is circa £1500 I believe.

 

[markjay]

Bought from a trader, but well out of warranty. ........

New tank is circa £1500 I believe.

The statutory warranty is one year.

 

[grober]

Most Adblue systems have automatic heaters in the tank or supply lines to prevent freezing in cold weather. THEY SHOULD SWITCH OFF at normal operating temperature- if they didn't you might get unwanted fluid expansion?

 

[DSM10000]

The statutory warranty is one year.

MB Approved is but if bought from any other dealer I thought they only had responsibility for faults that occurred up to 6 months post sale?

 

[rf065]

MB Approved is but if bought from any other dealer I thought they only had responsibility for faults that occurred up to 6 months post sale?

That comes under your statutory rights, because they are not legally required to give you any warranty at all.

 

[markjay]

MB Approved is but if bought from any other dealer I thought they only had responsibility for faults that occurred up to 6 months post sale?

There are different rules governing the first 6 months, and the subsequent 6 months. During the subsequent 6 months, you have to demonstrate that the fault existed at the time of sale. In this case, you could well argue that the issue clearly occured over a long period of time. That been said, it can be an uphill struggle insisting on your statuary right when it comes to car dealers.

 

[DSM10000]

That comes under your statutory rights, because they are not legally required to give you any warranty at all.

That is true.

I should have been clearer that the dealer has to provide cover for repairs under the Consumer Rights Act for 6 months post purchase as it is presumed in law that a fault or faults existed at the time of sale.

The Act is still valid after those initial 6 months but it is then the responsibility of the owner to prove that the fault existed at the time of sale.

 

[Tattmaylor]

So there’s clearly a leak…
The independent garage has completely lost my trust (this isn’t the first issue I’ve had with them) so I’m booked in with Merc on Wednesday.

 

[markjay]

I think you'll be better-off taking the car to a reputable independent specialist. Were about in Essex are you? Someone might be able to recommend an indie near you.

 

[Tattmaylor]

Well the garage I use call themselves Mercedes specialists. After waiting a month for them to get the job done I’ve had the car less than 24hrs and it’s still not right. Based in Colchester. I’m gonna ask Merc to check if they’ve actually replaced what they say they’ve replaced. It may even just be a loose connection when they’ve fitted parts, but I’d rather just take to the main dealer for them to diagnose now. I can’t bear going another month without a car.

 

[Tattmaylor]

Well the garage I use call themselves Mercedes specialists. After waiting a month for them to get the job done I’ve had the car less than 24hrs and it’s still not right. Based in Colchester. I’m gonna ask Merc to check if they’ve actually replaced what they say they’ve replaced. It may even just be a loose connection when they’ve fitted parts, but I’d rather just take to the main dealer for them to diagnose now. I can’t bear going another month without a car.

The “specialist” can’t take another look until the 28th