Reply With Quotemake sure you top off the blinker fluid too, and the muffler bearing.
Less than 5000 miles ago we had our 335d in for a first maintenance and a refill of the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (AdBlue). So you can imagine our surprise when the warning light appeared on the dash a couple days ago warning us the car had only 1000 miles left before it would no longer start, unless of course we add more exhaust fluid.We're still in the process of working out the math with the dealer who did the service, since the car should go at least 10,000 (though closer to 15,000 is expected) out of a fillup. We suspect they may have topped up only a portion of the tank since we were early for service. But hey, the light was on, and we had no choice.
With yet another weekend trip to Michigan planned for the young, soon-to-be-wed Mr. Fowle, we decided to fill'er up ourselves this time. A stop at our local BMW dealer (not the one who serviced it, as luck would have it) netted one half-gallon bottle of crystal-clear factory exhaust fluid for the sum of $39.99 plus tax.
Adding the fluid to the car was no problem as you can see below. It's a simple matter of popping the cap on the bumper, removing the two filler caps beneath it, and screwing the no-spill bottle into the lower port until it drains. The whole process took about a minute and a half.
make sure you top off the blinker fluid too, and the muffler bearing.
think about it...
Got any more sweet fill-up action shots?
Originally Posted by 06TornadoGTIPete
Don't get me wrong man, I am huge into boners.
so what is the top port for?
Mike, quote me in your signature
Quote, originally posted by gintaras » make sure you top off the blinker fluid too, and the muffler bearing. Believe me, even muttering the phrase "Exhaust Fluid" is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears.
Quote, originally posted by ATL_Av8r » so what is the top port for? Ventilation, presumably.
Wasn't this supposed to be a dealer performed operation - as per some tcl gurus?As a sidenote, if that filler cap was placed any lower, it would be impossible to stick your peepee in there without a funnel
Quote, originally posted by KARMANN_20V » Wasn't this supposed to be a dealer performed operation - as per some tcl gurus? As a sidenote, if that filler cap was placed any lower, it would be impossible to stick your peepee in there without a funnel
made me chuckle...
so, seriously, are there any ill-effects of running the "exhaust fluid" dry? would it just release more pollution? or is there a sensor which makes the car inoperble with no fluid? And a 100% serious question.. can you use urine in a pinch?
think about it...
Do Euro diesels have this as well? I recall there being differences in the diesel we get vs theirs at one point, and thus the need for things like this to sanitize the gasses, so I was just curious if the Europeans were afflicted with this annoyance, too.
Quote, originally posted by gintaras » is there a sensor which makes the car inoperble with no fluid? And a 100% serious question.. can you use urine in a pinch? "Yes" and "No", respectively.
--Chris
$39.95 for a Kruse bottle?!?!?!That's highway robbery. A VW/Audi dealer stocks the same thing for about a quarter of that price.
Quote, originally posted by gintaras » made me chuckle...
or is there a sensor which makes the car inoperble with no fluid?
There is and the car will not start with no fluid in the tank.
Cheers,
Conrad
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)Q & A
SCR: The Leading Technology to Meet 2010 Emission Regulations
Q. What is Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)?
A. SCR is a technology that uses a urea based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and a
catalytic converter to significantly reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. SCR is
the leading technology being used to meet 2010 emission regulations.
Q. How does an SCR system work?
A. The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx (oxides of nitrogen
emitted from engines) that are harmful to our health and the environment. SCR is the
aftertreatment technology that treats exhaust gas downstream of the engine. Small
quantities of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) are injected into the exhaust upstream of a
catalyst, where it vaporizes and decomposes to form ammonia and carbon dioxide.
The ammonia (NH3) is the desired product which in conjunction to the SCR catalyst,
converts the NOx to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).
BULLETIN
-=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=- -=Camry Driver=-
Quote, originally posted by ATL_Av8r » so what is the top port for? I believe the 335d has two urea tanks, one passive and one active. They are not connected so they should be refilled separately.
Can the sensor tell what type of fluid?
Next edit by onebadbug; tomorrow at 10:13 AM.
What you get isn't always what you see.
Quote, originally posted by onebadbug » Can the sensor tell what type of fluid? prolly not but the ECU should be able to know if the motor is running "clean" and under normal specs.
My love, wherever you are
Whatever you are
Don't lose faith
I know it's gonna happen someday
To you .............Please wait ...
Not that 40 bucks is all that much, but shouldn't this be covered under BMW scheduled maint. plan? If so why are they charging you for it?
Quote, originally posted by onebadbug » Can the sensor tell what type of fluid? No, but the NOx sensors in the exhaust stream can.
335d has two tanks for the def, one passive and one active, the active is the smaller tank and the passive is larger tank. The active tank where the def fluid that get pump into the exhaust. The kruse bottle only fills the active tank.BMW maintence only covers items when they are a schedule due. Since this is no scheduled service, he had to pay for it. But since it such a low mileage since you topped it off maybe you might have a faulty sensor in the active or passive tank and throwing the system off. Your driving profile also affects the def fluid
Quote, originally posted by FUZHEAD » 335d has two tanks for the def, one passive and one active, the active is the smaller tank and the passive is larger tank. The active tank where the def fluid that get pump into the exhaust. The kruse bottle only fills the active tank. BMW maintence only covers items when they are a schedule due. Since this is no scheduled service, he had to pay for it. But since it such a low mileage since you topped it off maybe you might have a faulty sensor in the active or passive tank and throwing the system off. Your driving profile also affects the def fluid
We actually have an appointment tomorrow to double check. The warning light hasn't gone off yet.
Quote, originally posted by bleedblue » Not that 40 bucks is all that much, but shouldn't this be covered under BMW scheduled maint. plan? If so why are they charging you for it? Because last time we posted something about this, everyone complained that it didn't cover how hard it is to do it at home or how much the stuff costs. But as Bryan mentioned, our light is still on, so we'll just be taking it to the dealer anyway, where they should hopefully cover the cost. Otherwise, I'm going to raise some stink in that place.
kilometermagazine.com -- swedespeed.com -- vwvortex.com --mwerks.com -- fourtitude.com -- turbonines.com
This is from BMW's fluid chartVehicles are factory-filled with DEF (diesel engine additive), also known as AdBluereg;. DEF is stored in two separate
reservoirs within the vehicle. The "active" reservoir from which the DEF is injected into the exhaust system holds approx.
1.6 gallons. It is heated at low exterior temperatures to prevent the DEF from freezing. The second reservoir feeds the
active tank via a transfer pump and is large enough to last between scheduled engine oil changes. It is referred to as the
"passive" tank, with a capacity of approx 4.5 gallons, and is located in the "spare tire well" of the trunk. At every Engine Oil
Service, all remaining DEF must be completely drained from both tanks, and then refilled with new DEF. It is not sufficient
to "top up" the reservoir.
The filling location for both tanks is behind an access flap on the surface of the rear bumper's left side. Remove the plugs
by inserting the front face of the screwdriver handle (from the vehicle's on-board tool kit) into the plug's recess.
If the supply of DEF runs low, the instrument cluster warning lamp will indicate the estimated remaining distance which the
vehicle may be driven, starting at approx. 1000 more miles. At approx. 200 miles, the warning lamp will illuminate again,
with the miles counting down to 0. Once the distance reaches 0 miles (shown by "- - -" with the warning lamp symbol), the
car will not start up again until DEF is refilled. This is done so that the vehicle meets federal emissions regulations.
However, the DEF system does allow one single "emergency" engine start at "0" miles, provided that you start the engine
within 3 minutes of last shutting it off.
DEF will soon be available at BMW centers (part number, container size and other details to be provided). One pack of
DEF will be sent to each BMW center prior to the first vehicle arrival.But then at the bottom it says this
Warranty will only reimburse the use of 2.5 gallon service bottles (P/N 83 19 0 440 158) when draining and refilling the
SCR system.Why would you drain the whole system and then only refill it with 2.5 Gallon? Stupid BMW
European cars have had AdBlue for a couple of years already.
My dad's cars gets topped up with AdBlue whenever it's in for service.
And yes, your car will polute more when there's no AdBlue available to clean the exhaust gasses.
But it's kind of annoying that your 40k (or something), BMW will not even start if there's no fluid in there.
Nice going in an emergency...
Quote, originally posted by KARMANN_20V »
As a sidenote, if that filler cap was placed any lower, it would be impossible to stick your peepee in there without a funnelIt all depends on how far your pecker can reach. Have you considered augmentation?
Quote, originally posted by BartVW »
But it's kind of annoying that your 40k (or something), BMW will not even start if there's no fluid in there.
Nice going in an emergency...Exhaust fluid is part of regular maintenance on this car. Would you be angry if you put off oil changes until your crankcase was full of molasses and you couldn't get your car started to save you from the zombie apocalypse?
Demokratically Elekted Minister of SCREW ALL Y'ALL!
Quote, originally posted by Bryan@mwerks » We actually have an appointment tomorrow to double check. The warning light hasn't gone off yet.
Thanks for the regular updates on this vehicle. I've convinced the other half that we should get one, now all we have to do is wait for the lease to expire on the G and it will be ours.
Quote, originally posted by loudgli » This is from BMW's fluid chart Vehicles are factory-filled with DEF (diesel engine additive), also known as AdBluereg;. DEF is stored in two separate
reservoirs within the vehicle. The "active" reservoir from which the DEF is injected into the exhaust system holds approx.
1.6 gallons. It is heated at low exterior temperatures to prevent the DEF from freezing. The second reservoir feeds the
active tank via a transfer pump and is large enough to last between scheduled engine oil changes. It is referred to as the
"passive" tank, with a capacity of approx 4.5 gallons, and is located in the "spare tire well" of the trunk. At every Engine Oil
Service, all remaining DEF must be completely drained from both tanks, and then refilled with new DEF. It is not sufficient
to "top up" the reservoir.
The filling location for both tanks is behind an access flap on the surface of the rear bumper's left side. Remove the plugs
by inserting the front face of the screwdriver handle (from the vehicle's on-board tool kit) into the plug's recess.
If the supply of DEF runs low, the instrument cluster warning lamp will indicate the estimated remaining distance which the
vehicle may be driven, starting at approx. 1000 more miles. At approx. 200 miles, the warning lamp will illuminate again,
with the miles counting down to 0. Once the distance reaches 0 miles (shown by "- - -" with the warning lamp symbol), the
car will not start up again until DEF is refilled. This is done so that the vehicle meets federal emissions regulations.
However, the DEF system does allow one single "emergency" engine start at "0" miles, provided that you start the engine
within 3 minutes of last shutting it off.
DEF will soon be available at BMW centers (part number, container size and other details to be provided). One pack of
DEF will be sent to each BMW center prior to the first vehicle arrival.But then at the bottom it says this
Warranty will only reimburse the use of 2.5 gallon service bottles (P/N 83 19 0 440 158) when draining and refilling the
SCR system.Why would you drain the whole system and then only refill it with 2.5 Gallon? Stupid BMW
So there is a 4.5 gal tank and a 1.6 gal tank, both of which need to be emptied and refilled at every oil change?
That's a total of 6.1 gallons of DEF, at a cost of $80/gallon = $488
Please tell me my math is incorrect.
Quote, originally posted by stu@vmg » Because last time we posted something about this, everyone complained that it didn't cover how hard it is to do it at home or how much the stuff costs. But as Bryan mentioned, our light is still on, so we'll just be taking it to the dealer anyway, where they should hopefully cover the cost. Otherwise, I'm going to raise some stink in that place.
Wait... You expect one independently owned franchise to reimburse you for an expense you elected to incur at another independently owned franchise knowing that you didn't have to incur it but did so under the guise of internet journalism? Do you really think that's a rational position to take?
Modified by Smindustries at 10:51 PM 8-12-2009
Which dealer do you use in the Chicagoland area, just curious?
Frankly, sounds like a pain in the ass. Your experience would definitely make me think twice about buying any diesel that needs AdBlue or a similar fluid. 5k is way too short of an interval for another service on a car these days.
Quote, originally posted by windycityvdub » Which dealer do you use in the Chicagoland area, just curious? Given his username and location, I'd have to guess Motorwerks in Barrington.
-Brian
Would VW's AdBlue at 1/10 the price be acceptable in the BMW?
Quote, originally posted by BTM » Given his username and location, I'd have to guess Motorwerks in Barrington.
I don't think MWerks is related to Motorwerks? Is it? I was thinking they went to Patrick. (I thought VMG was based somewhere near there?)
Quote, originally posted by CSmith » So there is a 4.5 gal tank and a 1.6 gal tank, both of which need to be emptied and refilled at every oil change?
That's a total of 6.1 gallons of DEF, at a cost of $80/gallon = $488
Please tell me my math is incorrect.
It is... you forgot to subtract the 2.5 gallon "gift" you receive from your dealer meaning it's only a mere $288. That is quite a bit of fuel that could otherwise be bought in an "i" car.
Quote, originally posted by windycityvdub » I don't think MWerks is related to Motorwerks? Is it? I was thinking they went to Patrick. (I thought VMG was based somewhere near there?)
Hmm, now that you mention it, I've never actually seen anything on here that implies Mwerks=Motorwerks. I just assumed it since I've been driving past that place my entire life...and his location is Chicago 'burbs. Now I'm curious too.
-Brian
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