Decent OBD Readers

[tonyblue]

Hi, can anyone recommend a decent OBD reader suitable for my C Class diesel 205 model.
Preferably one that has an AdBlue reset function, don't want to spend any more than £150 on one ideally.
Thanks.

 

[Bigdrew]

I think killer HERTZ has a video on one

 

[markjay]

I think killer HERTZ has a video on one

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[ToeKnee]

Do any of them reset ad-blu??

 

[tonyblue]

Do any of them reset ad-blu??

Yes I’ve seen them used on YouTube, a reset seems to be the solution to most adblue issues.

 

[markjay]

Yes I’ve seen them used on YouTube, a reset seems to be the solution to most adblue issues.

I think you'll find that AdBlue maladies are rarely cured that easily......

 

[tonyblue]

I think you'll find that AdBlue maladies are rarely cured that easily......

Actually I watched an interesting video last night by a vehicle technician who gets many people with AdBlue faults where they have replaced NOX sensors, catalytic converters, AdBlue parts etc that haven't cured their problems. He says most of the issues are with incorrectly stored or contaminated AdBlue containers, many are stored on garage forecourts in direct sunshine which ruins it or the use by date is past causing crystallization issues and that in many cases it's a relatively inexpensive reset required or cleaning the tank and injector where contamination is too bad. Looked at Aldi's today and lots had crystals around the top.
Not a perfect system on any vehicle make but we are stuck with it on diesels at least if you want cheap road tax and good fuel economy over petrol engines.

 

[Trickythemerc]

My last adblue issue cost us five grand to fix.

 

[DSM10000]

Actually I watched an interesting video last night by a vehicle technician who gets many people with AdBlue faults where they have replaced NOX sensors, catalytic converters, AdBlue parts etc that haven't cured their problems. He says most of the issues are with incorrectly stored or contaminated AdBlue containers, many are stored on garage forecourts in direct sunshine which ruins it or the use by date is past causing crystallization issues and that in many cases it's a relatively inexpensive reset required or cleaning the tank and injector where contamination is too bad. Looked at Aldi's today and lots had crystals around the top.
Not a perfect system on any vehicle make but we are stuck with it on diesels at least if you want cheap road tax and good fuel economy over petrol engines.

OBD is just a standard interface for communication that was made compulsory for all manufacturers to fit.

Each manufacturer implements it in different ways.

There is a minimum level of system interface, some allow more, some only allow additional system connection and changes with their own specific software. Frankly, with Adblue the best advice is to get rid of the car and buy a petrol powered car.

 

[Bigdrew]

Yes I’ve seen them used on YouTube, a reset seems to be the solution to most adblue issues.

Hi have you got problems with the adblue system

 

[DSM10000]

Actually I watched an interesting video last night by a vehicle technician who gets many people with AdBlue faults where they have replaced NOX sensors, catalytic converters, AdBlue parts etc that haven't cured their problems. He says most of the issues are with incorrectly stored or contaminated AdBlue containers, many are stored on garage forecourts in direct sunshine which ruins it or the use by date is past causing crystallization issues and that in many cases it's a relatively inexpensive reset required or cleaning the tank and injector where contamination is too bad. Looked at Aldi's today and lots had crystals around the top.
Not a perfect system on any vehicle make but we are stuck with it on diesels at least if you want cheap road tax and good fuel economy over petrol engines.

Why do people fixate over the Road Fund Licence? For most cars it is far less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day from a Café.
It is a very small part of the overall cost of running a car.

As for fuel economy, many modern petrol engined vehicles have excellent economy, the fuel is cheaper and there are far fewer expensive emissions related components to fail.

 

[markjay]

Actually I watched an interesting video last night by a vehicle technician who gets many people with AdBlue faults where they have replaced NOX sensors, catalytic converters, AdBlue parts etc that haven't cured their problems. He says most of the issues are with incorrectly stored or contaminated AdBlue containers, many are stored on garage forecourts in direct sunshine which ruins it or the use by date is past causing crystallization issues and that in many cases it's a relatively inexpensive reset required or cleaning the tank and injector where contamination is too bad. Looked at Aldi's today and lots had crystals around the top.
Not a perfect system on any vehicle make but we are stuck with it on diesels at least if you want cheap road tax and good fuel economy over petrol engines.

That's the optimistic view. Hopefully, you'll never need to find out for yourself.

 

[tonyblue]

That's the optimistic view. Hopefully, you'll never need to find out for yourself.

Fingers crossed!

 

[tonyblue]

Why do people fixate over the Road Fund Licence? For most cars it is far less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day from a Café.
It is a very small part of the overall cost of running a car.

As for fuel economy, many modern petrol engined vehicles have excellent economy, the fuel is cheaper and there are far fewer expensive emissions related components to fail.

Thankfully my local cafe doesn't charge me £350 up front, which was the road tax on my previous petrol car, £35 is easier on the wallet and over 70mpg is a plus. Point taken though.

 

[tonyblue]

OBD is just a standard interface for communication that was made compulsory for all manufacturers to fit.

Each manufacturer implements it in different ways.

There is a minimum level of system interface, some allow more, some only allow additional system connection and changes with their own specific software. Frankly, with Adblue the best advice is to get rid of the car and buy a petrol powered car.

Thanks for the info. Selling not really an option when it's a recent purchase.

 

[tonyblue]

Just looking at the AA breakdown figures due to AdBlue and 23,000 were simply letting the system get too low before refill and reset, other were contaminated AdBlue issues.
Looking at the millions of HGV's and cars on the road with AdBlue systems I suppose they are generally reliable if looked after (famous last words)

 

[DSM10000]

Thankfully my local cafe doesn't charge me £350 up front, which was the road tax on my previous petrol car, £35 is easier on the wallet and over 70mpg is a plus. Point taken though.

Hardly comparable though.

The resale value is likely to be low because people are very aware of the potential for very large repair bills

 

[markjay]

Just looking at the AA breakdown figures due to AdBlue and 23,000 were simply letting the system get too low before refill and reset, other were contaminated AdBlue issues.
Looking at the millions of HGV's and cars on the road with AdBlue systems I suppose they are generally reliable if looked after (famous last words)

I have to agree that generally speaking AdBlue is probably not a bad system, it's more to do specifically with MB's AdBlue system, which is particularly problematic.

This is not helped by the fact that MB only sell complete AdBlue tanks, costing £1,000, instead of selling individual components I.e. nozzle or level sensor etc, or that replacing the often-failing NOx sensors can cost a 4-figure sum.

And while I am aware that some owners experiencing AdBlue issues gave-up altogether and opted for the 'AdBlue Delete' option, there are also the usual potential high repair cost of other Diesel engines peripherals - high pressure fuel pump, DPF (though I suppose you could delete the DPF as well), etc.

Add to this the 'Dieselgate' software update fiasco.... Personally, my risk appetite is very low, and I wouldn't want to own an MB car with an EU6 Diesel engine unless it was covered by some sort of warranty.

Luckily for you, if it's a recent purchase from a trader, you are covered by statutory warranty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

EDIT: BTW, the figure of 23,000 breakdowns due to AdBlue-related issues is from 2017.

 

[tonyblue]

I have to agree that generally speaking AdBlue is probably not a bad system, it's more to do specifically with MB's AdBlue system, which is particularly problematic.

This is not helped by the fact that MB only sell complete AdBlue tanks, costing £1,000, instead of selling individual components I.e. nozzle or level sensor etc, or that replacing the often-failing NOx sensors can cost a 4-figure sum.

And while I am aware that some owners experiencing AdBlue issues gave-up altogether and opted for the 'AdBlue Delete' option, there are also the usual potential high repair cost of other Diesel engines peripherals - high pressure fuel pump, DPF (though I suppose you could delete the DPF as well), etc.

Add to this the 'Dieselgate' software update fiasco.... Personally, my risk appetite is very low, and I wouldn't want to own an MB car with an EU6 Diesel engine unless it was covered by some sort of warranty.

Luckily for you, if it's a recent purchase from a trader, you are covered by statutory warranty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

EDIT: BTW, the figure of 23,000 breakdowns due to AdBlue-related issues is from 2017.

I did have a look at second hand tanks which are around £150 on eBay and nox sensors, not oem, are about £200. If your local garage are happy fitting them with no part warranty then repairs can be achieved reasonably.

 

[markjay]

I did have a look at second hand tanks which are around £150 on eBay and nox sensors, not oem, are about £200. If your local garage are happy fitting them with no part warranty then repairs can be achieved reasonably.

Again, over optimistic....

A second hand AdBlue tank is fine if you fit it in a hurry with the intention of getting get rid of a troublesome car. But it will have a nozzle and a sensor potentially with tens of thousands of miles under their belly, and so the liklihood of a failure is again high.

As for non-genuine NOx sensors.... apparently many of these don't actually work, quite a few members on here bought these and had to return them.

There's no way around it... the MB AdBlue system is poorly designed, poorly implemented, and has the potential of becoming a major money pit.

Having said that, they don't all go wrong... but it's a Russian roulette. As I said, my own risk appetite is very low. Personal preference.