I think that it is generally accepted that problems with AdBlue systems are generally that the urea is crystallising and blocking the injector due to stale dehydrated urea, caused by low mileage, or multiple short trips.
Can one obviate this problem by draining the AdBlue system & refilling with fresh AdBlue, rather than topping up the system when the vehicle is serviced?
If, hopefully, the answer is "yes" - then how please do I do this?
In the alternative AdBlue additives to prevent crystallisation have been suggested, Forte AdBlue Exhaust Crystal Preventer is one that I have found on Google. Any thoughts or recommendations would be welcome.
NJSS
23rd Jul 2023 7:24 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
Funny enough saw an article from total called clearnox , apologises if you’ve already seen it
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
In answer to your question, the service schedule for the D4 MY16 onwards with Adblue has this item in it, starting from the two year , 32,000 mile service:
“Drain the DEF tank if the vehicle has covered less than 16,000 miles (26,000 km) in 2 years”
My car was in this position when I took it to my LR main dealer for its 2nd service. I discovered that they hadn’t even topped up the Adblue ( my car was an early Adblue model -Jun 2015, and they hadn’t even checked !). When I asked them about the drain Adblue service item, they said no it wasn’t required. They sent someone to my house to type it up for me.
No idea how it gets drained, but as I do lower mileage and never use up the Adblue between services, it is a concern. Obviously, if you’re topping up between services, it’s less so.
There is quite a bit of info on here about crystallisation from various members.Gary
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I'm going to ask my indy for a price to drain & refill the DEF tank.
NJSS
23rd Jul 2023 9:07 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
Thanks for posting, I think I will have a word with my Indy next year too. They are very good, but they’ve never mentioned this drain which should happen every two years if it’s a lower mileage vehicle. Is it a bit of a blind spot generally I wonder?
Do you know how many litres the tank holds? Mine has had 6.5 and 7.4 litres respectively the last two years.
Let us know how you get on.Gary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
23rd Jul 2023 9:16 am
Down&Dirty
Member Since: 17 Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere out back
Posts: 1293
Quote:
Do you know how many litres the tank holds?
According to link to web site above
“Discovery 4 (not 2.7 TDV6 Commercial) 17.8 litres”. MY24 Defender 90 X-Dynamic HSE
MY18 Disco 5 HSE Santorini Black Now Gone.
23rd Jul 2023 9:23 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
Here’s a link to a post talking about this exact subject, that we both (NJSS) contributed to last year. It includes optionions on crystallisation, advice from a trusted expert on how to drain and refill, and advice generally on how to manage the low milesage situation……Basically , wait for the message that it’s low then top up, to avoid throwing away large amounts if you decide to drain it.
It appears that the vehicle will let you know if there is a quality issue with the Adblue in the car. (In fact I had this message when my car was about 10 months old. It was sorted with a software update from LR call-out.
All very useful
https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic199839...allisationGary
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Here’s a link to a post talking about this exact subject, that we both (NJSS) contributed to last year.
Thanks Gary
That's the problem of being in one's 82nd year; I recalled something about it, but not all about it
23rd Jul 2023 9:51 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
No problem, it's all part of using and contributing to this excellent forum which makes it seem like most problems and queries are a ' team' effort which I am very grateful for.
Please continue to share your further findings and experiences on this.
Take careGary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
23rd Jul 2023 10:34 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
I'm going to ask my indy for a price to drain & refill the DEF tank.
NJSS
Fingers crossed it resolves the issue
Must confess do know a few people who have deleted there’s out, one being a tradesman’s and with short journeys around town kept having issues all the time with it blocking up , alas don’t know what the score is when it comes to mot time
23rd Jul 2023 4:44 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
Hi Gary. Don't think adblue system is affected by short journeys. Are you thinking of the DPF?
CheersGary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
23rd Jul 2023 4:51 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
Hi mate
That’s very interesting , indeed was the adblue , he just said his kept blocking up which he assumed was him start stopping all the time as he went round on his calls
Admittedly I did think it was also short journeys , wonder if they have filters that contribute to blockages
Many thks as every day is a school day
23rd Jul 2023 4:57 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
Oh, that's news to me. Wonder if it was crystallised. Diagnosis of 'blocked up ' is an interesting conclusion. These cars have a warn about quality of adblue ( exhaust fluid) when this occurs - according to Steve Norman.
Was it a Disco?Gary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
23rd Jul 2023 5:06 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
All he mentioned was the injector itself at the exhaust kept blocking , was on a ford connect
Funny enough just found a link with regards to getting them deleted , seems there are a good few companies around doing it
However at the end of the day I wonder if u could get into trouble bypassing the system ?
As a side note did watch this a little while ago with him unblocking an adblue Injector
Last edited by gstuart on 23rd Jul 2023 5:33 pm. Edited 1 time in total
23rd Jul 2023 5:24 pm
Mastertech
Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 131
Working as a professional mechanic, I’ve never came across a vehicle in which the reducing agent had “gone off” or required the tank draining, unless the tank had been filled with diesel.
No vehicle likes being short tripped and any vehicle with a reducing agent system if short tripped could have crystals form in both the exhaust system and on the tip of the injector. Any crystallisation can be removed with distilled water. You can flush a reducing agent injector using distilled water just put a small amount in the injector connector.
Personally I wouldn’t bother draining the tank. But that’s just me.
VAG, second biggest vehicle manufacturer in the world ( to Toyota) has no such recommendation on any of their vehicles.
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