Engine light and Adblue issue

[RJ23]

Hi guys,

So I have got a Mercedes E-class 220d. I am a bit of a procastinator when it comes to car servicing etc. A few months ago, my car was low on Adblue, so I ordered a 20 litre tank of Adblue from Ebay, because it was a lot cheaper. So I filled up the tank and since then the car has been running alright. 2 weeks ago, all of sudden while driving, the engine light appeared. My service message was already up there saying Service delayed by 28 days. After a few days, the dashboard started showing "Engine start not possible in 500 miles". Right above that error, was Adblue as well. I looked into the Adblue tank on dashboard and it was completely empty. I literally freaked out because of this. I took it to a local garage for service and to check whats wrong with this engine light thing. They did the service and everything and also got rid of the engine light but not the "Engine start not possible in 500 miles". They told me that they dont touch Adblue issues and I have to take it to the main dealer. I booked an appointment with the main dealer, in the meantime took it to another garage to diagnose the problem. These guys filled up the tank a little bit, and got rid of the Engine start error, however, told me they couldnt diagnose whats wrong and that I will have to come back as they will bring another Mercedes specialist for this. I was furiated. The Adblue tank was still showing as empty, and saying, Adblue cannot be measured. However, while driving back home, all of a sudden, the Adblue tank started showing up as full. Now I am not sure, whats going on.

Any idea whats going on, and whether I should get it checked or not.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Sorry to be negative....but search this forum for adblue issues.....it's a rubbish system, rubbish design and very unreliable and they fail all the time and need a four figure sum.to fix. Lots on this forum would never by an Adblue equipped Mercedes for those reasons....I'm one of them. That's the bad news over! Good news....not much!.... except it can be mapped out completely for not much money and although thats not technically legal, the chances of being caught are virtually nil.
Adblue experts will be along shortly....
.......Happy Christmas!

 

[W1ghty]

Hi guys,

So I have got a Mercedes E-class 220d. I am a bit of a procastinator when it comes to car servicing etc. A few months ago, my car was low on Adblue, so I ordered a 20 litre tank of Adblue from Ebay, because it was a lot cheaper. So I filled up the tank and since then the car has been running alright. 2 weeks ago, all of sudden while driving, the engine light appeared. My service message was already up there saying Service delayed by 28 days. After a few days, the dashboard started showing "Engine start not possible in 500 miles". Right above that error, was Adblue as well. I looked into the Adblue tank on dashboard and it was completely empty. I literally freaked out because of this. I took it to a local garage for service and to check whats wrong with this engine light thing. They did the service and everything and also got rid of the engine light but not the "Engine start not possible in 500 miles". They told me that they dont touch Adblue issues and I have to take it to the main dealer. I booked an appointment with the main dealer, in the meantime took it to another garage to diagnose the problem. These guys filled up the tank a little bit, and got rid of the Engine start error, however, told me they couldnt diagnose whats wrong and that I will have to come back as they will bring another Mercedes specialist for this. I was furiated. The Adblue tank was still showing as empty, and saying, Adblue cannot be measured. However, while driving back home, all of a sudden, the Adblue tank started showing up as full. Now I am not sure, whats going on.

Any idea whats going on, and whether I should get it checked or not.

Is the car still within warranty?
You could try sucking out the eBay adblue with a suction pump and refilling with an anti crystal additive from Forte with some fresh new expensive adblue ??

 

[MSG2004]

mine had a nox sensor problem at just over three years old, gle 250d 4 matic. MB replaced Foc when i asked for this having read various forums inc this. My car had FSH by MB and covered 11k miles i think. If I'd known been aware of the ad blue crap, I would have avoided it.

It was my first ever diesel been driving since aged 17 and had my own car at 18, now over 60 - regret buying the diesel but the petrol version of the gle, buying it new could not be justified cost wise as I'm not a rich man

 

[markjay]

Welcome. You may have dodged a bullet there...

My advice is that if everything looks fine now, sell the car or trade it in for a petrol car. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to here...

Just keep in mind that if the AdBlue issue manifests itself again, the cost to fix it will likely go into four figures.

 

[RJ23]

Welcome. You may have dodged a bullet there...

My advice is that if everything looks fine now, sell the car or trade it in for a petrol car. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to here...

Just keep in mind that if the AdBlue issue manifests itself again, the cost to fix it will likely go into four figures.

Na man, I am not rich enough to do that. Its running brilliant so I am not concerned about changing it for now. Its diesel so its good on mileage or thats what I think.

 

[RJ23]

Is the car still within warranty?
You could try sucking out the eBay adblue with a suction pump and refilling with an anti crystal additive from Forte with some fresh new expensive adblue ??

No its not under warranty - well now Adblue seems to be working fine so far.

 

[Smiley]

Do some research on the adblue issues whilst you are not under immediate time pressure
Then when you do get a problem you will know what course of action to take.

 

[markjay]

Na man, I am not rich enough to do that. Its running brilliant so I am not concerned about changing it for now. Its diesel so its good on mileage or thats what I think.

See here:

Adblue delete | Engine

They ticked my box saying ad blue full. I wouldn't be bothered anyways as it's not free on a service. Was included on my service plan

forums.mbclub.co.uk

BlackC55 is a reputable independent Mercedes Benz specialist.

 

[RSTurbo50]

So glad that I went with a 2014 E250 CDi, Blue Efficiency so no Ad Blue issues to worry about..

 

[W1ghty]

No its not under warranty - well now Adblue seems to be working fine so far.

That won’t last unfortunately

 

[zipdip]

Always buy good quality ad blue,there is alot of fake stuff out there,I suspect RJ21 does not have the ability to work on his car,if the pennies are short find a recomended mobile mechanic to remove the adblue connection where it goes into the exhaust and clean it out,that might save you from a very big bill

 

[RJ23]

That won’t last unfortunately

Any particular reason??

 

[W1ghty]

Any particular reason??

The problems with adblue and Nox are well documented and don’t disappear until new parts are fitted .
But good luck with it maybe you will be lucky

 

[ManofKent]

If it's using a lot of adblue then I would suspect the adblue injector is faulty.
A good vehicle diagnostic garage will be able to confirm this.

 

[Petrol Pete]

As said . Buy Adblue from a trusted source , not from some cheap place online , you have no idea what they are selling and how old it is. A friend of mine with a bunch of adblue vans has banned his drivers from buying it even from well known garage forecourts after having all sorts of issues. He has a supply in his garage at home kept in the dark under ideal conditions and used up according to its age.

Not had any problems since.

But , again, as said . Adblue on MB cars is $hite and will end up costing you . Sorry to say.

 

[simon1963]

I’ve just got the EML light and check Adblue message. Adblue showing 3400 miles remaining. It’s going in for diag today so let’s see what the outcome is.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I’ve just got the EML light and check Adblue message. Adblue showing 3400 miles remaining. It’s going in for diag today so let’s see what the outcome is.

I'd guess at a failed nox sensor

 

[simon1963]

I'd guess at a failed nox sensor

I think I’d rather it be that than the Adblue tank etc. time will tell. Has 2 box sensors on my wife’s SLK at £500 a piece. Mercedes must be making a fortune with their sh1t system

 

[Tonygw]

Ad blue can be an issue but there are ways to reduce the possibility, best advice would be to never let the ad blue run that low, but never buy ad blue from ebay! It has to be stored out of direct sunlight and in temps below 25C. It also has an expiry date and new ad blue liquid will only be good for 12 months. The stuff on ebay is a complete lottery and probably out of date. Never buy from a garage forecourt either as that stuff is usually in direct sunlight and who knows how old.

hence many run the ad blue system half full so that new fresh ad blue can be added regularly. Old ad blue crystalizes and causes all sorts of issues.

Only buy ad blue with 12 months date on it and from a reputable place.