Ad Blue - remove or treat ?

[Goldi]

My research: Heat is a real problem for storage, above 20 degrees C it goes off and crystallises rapidly.

The system has heaters to deal with cold conditions. Repeated freezing appears to cause crystals

It's a Goldie locks system !

What do you mean by a Goldie locks system?

 

[Perfectos]

What do you mean by a Goldie locks system?

Doesn't like it too hot or too cold, it has to be just right

 

[Ghostbuster]

My van has only done 6k mlies since new (three years old). I have never put any adblue in the system since I purchased the van two years ago and there is 5000 miles left according to the gauge.
It is always at the back of my mind that something will go wrong and the information regarding storage in the tank is incredibly vague

 

[WelshGas]

My van has only done 6k mlies since new (three years old). I have never put any adblue in the system since I purchased the van two years ago and there is 5000 miles left according to the gauge.
It is always at the back of my mind that something will go wrong and the information regarding storage in the tank is incredibly vague

That's because the T6/6.1 Californias are based on a commercial vehicle expected to do 10/20,000 miles a year which would mean refilling with new Adblue annually. There are now an increasing number of these vehicles , on this and the T6 Forum, suffering AdBlu problems frequently requiring new tanks/sensors at £1500 a go.

 

[sbmcd]

Just catching up with this thread, my Nov 2024 6.1 Cali is currently having a new ad blue injector 2 N758 fitted at circa 15 k miles.

Last Ad Blue fill with genuine VW Ad Blue, 20 lit, from VW on 11/12/25, 10,390 miles.

If my van wasn't under warranty I'd probably just get it mapped out.

This is not a good error message to get when you are on holiday in Europe.

 

[Hawthorn37]

This is just the kind of event that prompted me to start the thread. I feel your pain !

 

[Hawthorn37]

Our van is due a service. I think I’ll see if they can empty the tank and refill.

Edit: now booked in for late November.

 

[Perfectos]

Our van is due a service. I think I’ll see if they can empty the tank and refill.

Edit: now booked in for late November.

See this post about service dept saying to add anti crystal additives! Contra to all previous written advice!

I'd be interested to hear the outcome of your discussions with vw

California T6.0 AdBlue Tank issue

Our Cali started counting down on the AdBlue miles counter and would not update when refilled. We got down to 750 until I realised that it was broken and have since read all the comments and threads here. Tried to sort it out but couldn't with siphoning etc and have taken it to the VW service...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Hawthorn37]

Thanks for pointing out this thread @Perfectos.

I reread the handbook and definitely states not to use any other fluid other than the approved VW Ad Blue !

In the meantime I have looked back to when I last filled the van. It was 3,000 miles ago, around Sept 26, and I used newly purchased Ad Blue. So it’ll be about 13 to 14 months old. On doing more research, the fluid might well be still okay. Also, for anyone to empty the tank is not an easy task, even VW, it risks the Ad Blue to be more in contact with air, and drying out in the system/tank, promoting crystal growth

The van has a service booked in for 26th November, so a while to wait. I spoke to the service team in Sheffield about my concerns over potential Ad Blue failures, and to be honest, I didn’t really get any worthwhile response. Anyway, it’s on the job list, so I’ll have a chat with the technician but I don’t think a drain and refill will be the best option for me. It’s got the Wynns additive in there so here’s hoping !!

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks for pointing out this thread @Perfectos.

I reread the handbook and definitely states not to use any other fluid other than the approved VW Ad Blue !

In the meantime I have looked back to when I last filled the van. It was 3,000 miles ago, around Sept 26, and I used newly purchased Ad Blue. So it’ll be about 13 to 14 months old. On doing more research, the fluid might well be still okay. Also, for anyone to empty the tank is not an easy task, even VW, it risks the Ad Blue to be more in contact with air, and drying out in the system/tank, promoting crystal growth

The van has a service booked in for 26th November, so a while to wait. I spoke to the service team in Sheffield about my concerns over potential Ad Blue failures, and to be honest, I didn’t really get any worthwhile response. Anyway, it’s on the job list, so I’ll have a chat with the technician but I don’t think a drain and refill will be the best option for me. It’s got the Wynns additive in there so here’s hoping !!

Personally, I think you've probably come to the right conclusion over drain and refill.
IMO if it's not broke etc.

As far as additives VW Cannot have it both ways.
People have followed the "rules" provided in writing by VW, regarding Ad blue, only to find they now have serious bills & or usable vehicles due to lack of parts supply. This is not a small number of vehicles affected over a small production run, it's millions of vehicles potentially affected.

How environmentally sound is the whole ethos:
adding an extra chemical that requires industrial processing and distribution world wide to reduce Diesel emissions emitted from the exhaust pipe.
Unnecessary plastic packaging and associated waste disposal.
increased fuel & Ad blue usage during Regens (Diesel gate)
then the ultimate, Chuck the whole system in the bin within 10years and buy another set of parts that have to be distributed worldwide wide.
not to mention to contaminated Ad blue and parts that needs to be disposed of.

Diesel gate MKII ? (and VW still deny everything with Diesel gate! )

Further, If you decide to remove, disable or modify the "Emissions control " systems, you risk having your vehicle seized and impounded by VOSA who are acutely aware of the plethora of ad blue deletes and the industry grown up around it. (Even if the parts are NOT available to fix your vehicles ad blue system)
VOSA do carry out roadside checks and do impound vehicles (T6 forum has at least one case).
Checking is a simply as scrolling through the MFD - a delete will show the ad blue miles on the MFD as - - - . An easy visual Red card which will ensure your vehicle is seized. (BTW you don't get your vehicle back until you can prove it meets Emissions, how can you do that whilst your vehicle is impounded and cannot be returned to original )
VOSA are trying to introduce a test as part of the future MOT, which will render a huge number of vehicles, whom have had Ad blue deleted, redundant and illegal to use.

IMO a rock and a hard place.

Given all the Ad blue & EGR issues VW chose to introduce to meet emissions, and the reported problems I would not want my livelihood to rest on a VW van.