Another AdBlue question..

[The Saints]

Hi Folks.
I have a 2021 C5 Aircross 1.5 diesel with around 80,00km (50,000 miles) on the clock.

About 5 months ago I topped up with AdBlue when told it was running low. Can't remember how much I put in, probably 5-6 litres.

When I hit "000/Check" button it said I had 2400km left before it needed topping up.

It has stayed at that figure ever since and I've driven probably 15,000km.

I thought I'd play safe and topped up this week, using 3.5 litres.

Then got "Additive Consumption Fault: Starting impossible in 1100km"

Tonight I get "Top up AdBlue: Starting impossible in 1100km"

Same message, just worded differently.

So what do I do..?

I've used the Wynn's anti crystal stuff since I got the car in January.

[RichardW]

It will need to go on a diag computer to see what it's upset about.

[Steve Walsh]

As Richard says get your codes read, You could also try, Drain tank, there is a drain on the bottom, Fill tank with warm water and drain again put adblue in and if you use your old adblue make sure there is no solids, crystals dirt etc and try again. I have had success on 2 different vehicles with this method

[Paul-R]

I don't think that they are the same. Adblue isn't an additive, Eolys is. So, if the messages have been written accurately then there could be two problems.

[Steve Walsh]

The 2021 Aircross 1.5 doesnt have Eolys,

[Paul-R]

Ah, good point. In which case the word has been used incorrectly.

[Richard_C]

Have a look at your vehicle handbook. You say you have added 3.5 litres. Some cars require a minimum of 4.5 or 5 to be added before it is recognised as a top up and the counter is reset.

[The Saints]

Thanks for your help folks.

Because the display had been 'stuck' on 2400km remaining for several months, I didn't want to get a situation where the car refused to start. I'll take a look in the handbook.

The day after I posted this, the warning display disappeared and hasn't come back although when I hit the '000/check' button on the dash, I still get a '2400km' remaining message. That's been the same since the summer, hasn't changed.

Is there any point in taking it to Citroen to check the codes checked or do I have to wait for a warning message to return..?

I appreciate any advice.

Thanks

[Steve Walsh]

The 2400 message stays all the time until it starts to get low on Adblue, All the info is in the owners book.
I would keep it topped up, Less air in tank less chance of crystals forming, I also changed from using unbranded stuff to using Total from my local station, I then add the anticrystal fluid and had no problems.

[Richard_C]

Sounds good. I had a Picasso diesel for over 8 years and it sometimes took a couple of restarts after a refill before it recognised the new level. It's not a proper gauge like a fuel tank, so it never shows more than 2400 even if its full. Whenever I got the first 'fill up soon' warning I would put 10l in, I think the capacity is 15 or 17l, then forget about it for a year.

[john79]

Does this adblue go ''off'' in the tank? i filled mine up about 16 months ago and only done 4k miles in that time .

[Paul-R]

If it's been kept in a cool dark place at a fairly constant temperature it should be OK. If you're really worried then you strain the Adblue through a paint filter to catch any crystals.

[john79]

If it's been kept in a cool dark place at a fairly constant temperature it should be OK. If you're really worried then you strain the Adblue through a paint filter to catch any crystals.

its in the tank under my van lol, i filled it up to the top and only done 4k in 16 months , i dont know how many miles you get out of a full tank of adblue in a citroen berlingo .

[PaulC5]

Our 308 uses about 1 litre of Adblue each 1000 miles and the Cactus 1 litre in 1500 miles. Both tanks are about 17 litres according to the handbooks but I fill them once a year so the level does not get low. I have also started putting in Wynns crystal clear and protect to help avoid possible problems.

[The Saints]

OK, today I took it to the main Citroen dealer near me.

They booked it in for a diagnostic check at a cost of €149..!

I then popped into my local Norauto (like Halfords in the UK) and spoke to a very helpful young lady who said that it's a well known Citroen fault and they will replace whatever parts are necessary and not charge for the diagnostic check.

I thought "Yeah, what does she know...?"

Turns out, she did know..!

She called up the Stellantis website and showed me the part that said cars under 5 years old and less that 150,000 km will have all affected parts replaced FOC and contribute €30 towards labour costs.

Why didn't the Citroen dealer tell me that..? He did seem very helpful, but still didn't mention the freebie bit.

Maybe it doesn't apply to my car, but I'm going back tomorrow to check.

He was also VERY adamant about using the anti crystal fluids. He said Citroen expressly forbid the use as it will affect the catalytic converter. He says that's what's caused the error messages on the dash. I made no mention about using the fluid...!

So, light at the end....