Adblue overfill- a cautionary tale to be continued

[Jeeves]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[GlennR]

Hi I had exactly the same problem with my 2017 T6 ocean earlier this year, ad Blue tank full and mileage counting down, had to bit the bullet and £1836 later (new ad blue tank) at VW Droitwich it’s sorted

 

[Aubisque]

Same here with a 2017 T6 on 64k. New Ad-Blu tank required.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Does anyone know of this is a common issue or confined to early T6 which I remember had some snags with adblue level registration.
Mines 2019.

 

[Scoobz1]

That's a lot of 2017's (4) and one 2018 out of a total of 5 mentioned - sounds a bit like the steering pump 2019 problem ...

 

[GlennR]

Looking a bit like it

 

[Blanco]

Worth knowing - thanks for posting this. Mines a 2017 ..

 

[Gordon McLean]

Same here 2017 T6 55k adblue stopped registering. RAC started it after all system were on stop with message drive home, don’t switch off and keep fingers crossed. End result was replacement tank from local garage and £1503.37 invoice.

Precise instructions on filling still seem a bit vague. Some say brim it, garage are saying 10L at a time don’t run and done overfill. Either way not ideal

 

[Jeeves]

So update…. As feared a new tank is required… the sensor has failed and this is in the adblue tank- VW commercial at Preston have been very good even though I have had to wait 3 weeks to get it into them- Total price is just under £1700 to get the tank fitted which will hopefully be done on Monday- perhaps it is an issue for 2017 T6’s but I’m looking forward to getting the van back - fortunately it’s our only vehicle having sold our second car a few weeks ago- I put the money from the sale in an ISA so do have the funds to get it sorted- perhaps anti cristaisation additive could have prolonged the life but who knows- thanks for the contributions to the thread , I hope not many others have the same fate but worth bearing in mind if you are on the market for a used 2017 vehicle

 

[Nick.C]

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

A

Anyone know if the use of an Adblue anti-crystallisation additive might affect the manufacturer’s warranty in the event of a fault?

 

[acer]

So update…. As feared a new tank is required… the sensor has failed and this is in the adblue tank- VW commercial at Preston have been very good even though I have had to wait 3 weeks to get it into them- Total price is just under £1700 to get the tank fitted which will hopefully be done on Monday- perhaps it is an issue for 2017 T6’s but I’m looking forward to getting the van back - fortunately it’s our only vehicle having sold our second car a few weeks ago- I put the money from the sale in an ISA so do have the funds to get it sorted- perhaps anti cristaisation additive could have prolonged the life but who knows- thanks for the contributions to the thread , I hope not many others have the same fate but worth bearing in mind if you are on the market for a used 2017 vehicle

Thank you for posting this.

So is the technical problem caused by overfilling with adblue that it causes the level sensor to fail?

Also, as your independent garage admitted that they routinely overfill adblue tanks, choosing not to follow manufacturer recommendations, will you be attempting to pass on the £1700 bill to them? It feels fair that they pay for their mistakes, rather than you!

 

[Ayjay]

I fear VW are lying because they can't be bothered to diagnose the problem properly or, even worse, simply lack the technical expertise to do so. The easy solution for them is tell you that it's the tank and associated sensor as they can smell the extra profit. The end result is smiles all round at VW because they can design a really crap system, sell it to mugs like us who believe the legend of VW reliability and rake in the profits replacing said crap system when it fails.