Adblue overfill- a cautionary tale to be continued

Jeeves · Monday at 1:18 PM

Just posting this as while there are similar threads I’ve not been able to find a start to end tale so no matter what the outcome hopefully it may help others….
We have a much adored 2017 T6 California Beach which we have had from new and have had 60k largely untroubled mileage to many destinations.
January this year I noticed a “lag” in adblue mileage being updated after a fill but didn’t worry me unduly.
Here is the potential learning curve for me to share … I took the decision to default from my routine of yearly service at VW and go to a “trusted “ local independent.( probably to save money and it is convenient).
They “brimmed “ the adblue to quote them and “always do” to the many vehicles they service.
Despite attempts to siphon off the excess many miles hoping the mileage counter will reset I have 3 weeks to wait until I can get it into VW and only 500 miles before “no start”.
I have resisted quote of £1600 for a new adblue tank and £500 for a adblue delete both admittedly tempting as I’m desperate to get back out on the road …. April 16th I’ll post an update on the eventual verdict from Volkswagen and cost to put right…
To be continued……

vbk1975 · Monday at 4:33 PM

Jeeves said:
Just posting this as while there are similar threads I’ve not been able to find a start to end tale so no matter what the outcome hopefully it may help others….
We have a much adored 2017 T6 California Beach which we have had from new and have had 60k largely untroubled mileage to many destinations.
January this year I noticed a “lag” in adblue mileage being updated after a fill but didn’t worry me unduly.
Here is the potential learning curve for me to share … I took the decision to default from my routine of yearly service at VW and go to a “trusted “ local independent.( probably to save money and it is convenient).
They “brimmed “ the adblue to quote them and “always do” to the many vehicles they service.
Despite attempts to siphon off the excess many miles hoping the mileage counter will reset I have 3 weeks to wait until I can get it into VW and only 500 miles before “no start”.
I have resisted quote of £1600 for a new adblue tank and £500 for a adblue delete both admittedly tempting as I’m desperate to get back out on the road …. April 16th I’ll post an update on the eventual verdict from Volkswagen and cost to put right…
To be continued……

I would try adding an AdBlue anti‑crystallisation additive so see if you can recover the sensor. Not expensive and worth a go.

A

dspuk · Monday at 5:31 PM

Tried a Carista? Not sure if it is an option in the menu but worth a try - this seems to say there is a setting:

Jeeves · Monday at 7:19 PM

dspuk said:
Tried a Carista? Not sure if it is an option in the menu but worth a try - this seems to say there is a setting:

View attachment 145852

I have Carista but can’t navigate onto those pages? Which Carista model is it?

Jeeves · Monday at 7:51 PM

dspuk said:
Tried a Carista? Not sure if it is an option in the menu but worth a try - this seems to say there is a setting:

View attachment 145852

Unfortunately there is no navigation to that page in Carista- just checked with their customer service and it isn’t an option on VW T6

Ksar-el-kebir · Tuesday at 12:32 PM

Jeeves said:
Just posting this as while there are similar threads I’ve not been able to find a start to end tale so no matter what the outcome hopefully it may help others….
We have a much adored 2017 T6 California Beach which we have had from new and have had 60k largely untroubled mileage to many destinations.
January this year I noticed a “lag” in adblue mileage being updated after a fill but didn’t worry me unduly.
Here is the potential learning curve for me to share … I took the decision to default from my routine of yearly service at VW and go to a “trusted “ local independent.( probably to save money and it is convenient).
They “brimmed “ the adblue to quote them and “always do” to the many vehicles they service.
Despite attempts to siphon off the excess many miles hoping the mileage counter will reset I have 3 weeks to wait until I can get it into VW and only 500 miles before “no start”.
I have resisted quote of £1600 for a new adblue tank and £500 for a adblue delete both admittedly tempting as I’m desperate to get back out on the road …. April 16th I’ll post an update on the eventual verdict from Volkswagen and cost to put right…
To be continued……

I always use an adblue pump at a local filling station; just cuts out when full.

Parvus · Tuesday at 2:45 PM

Sorry to hear your experience but exactly the same happened with my previous 2018 T6 at 55k miles.

I experienced the same issue after the normal refill procedure which I had been doing for 5yrs+. The refill was not registered and counting down the mileage. It did not matter what I did, whether drain or top-up Ad-Blu, it was just not registered and soon to enter limp mode.

After trying 2 independent garages they could not narrow the fault and before needlessly replacing parts we agreed to take it to VW for diagnostics. Surprise surprise… a complete new Ad-Blu tank and sensors at £1700… ouch!

Can only recommend using the additive to AdBlu. I’ll be doing it with my new T7 to avoid a repeat down the line.

Hope you find an alternative and cheaper solution.

Jeeves · Wednesday at 12:14 PM

Parvus said:
Sorry to hear your experience but exactly the same happened with my previous 2018 T6 at 55k miles.

I experienced the same issue after the normal refill procedure which I had been doing for 5yrs+. The refill was not registered and counting down the mileage. It did not matter what I did, whether drain or top-up Ad-Blu, it was just not registered and soon to enter limp mode.

After trying 2 independent garages they could not narrow the fault and before needlessly replacing parts we agreed to take it to VW for diagnostics. Surprise surprise… a complete new Ad-Blu tank and sensors at £1700… ouch!

Can only recommend using the additive to AdBlu. I’ll be doing it with my new T7 to avoid a repeat down the line.

Hope you find an alternative and cheaper solution.

I’m expecting the same to be honest but if it solves the issue I’m prepared to pay

Parvus · Wednesday at 4:17 PM

If a replacement is the fix, might be worth getting some quotes outside the VW dealer network. Also leverage the pricing to negotiate with VW. Not sure if it would be the case outside the main dealer, but the replacement AdBlu was covered with a 2yr VW warranty so maybe important to know.

5i1ver8ack · Wednesday at 5:24 PM

Our Ocean is 2017 with (then) 60K miles. Last June, the adblu sensor failed 70 miles into France on a trip to Switzerland. Remaining mileage range began dropping like a stone. Full adblu tank, remaining range was down to 250 miles.

French VW garage would have been able to fix it - parts by tomorrow, earliest appointment slot two to three weeks later.

So returned to UK (extra rebooking crossing fees).

UK VW garage would have been able to fix it - parts by tomorrow, earliest appointment slot two to three weeks later.

Got a local independent mechanic to fix it. £2K, including parts (about £500 cheaper than VW). Unlikely to see any movement from VW on prices, they were not interested.

Return trip was eventually in September.