Current Situation with Adblue tank/pump/whatever?

[CitROeNALD]

Hello all, my first post on here,

I've been keeping my eye on this Ad-blue issue for a while. But the various posts about it are across varying time periods so I was just wondering if there was a current status, known affected models and preventative options knowledge base that was up-to-date.

I own a 2018 (18 plate) C4 Grand Spacetourer 1.6 (110/120bhp?) with the later (larger) Ad-Blue tank, with the filler cap that moved further back into the boot.

It's just gone over 5 years old and 17,000 miles (covid years made this lower than normal) and has had dealer service every year. All plain sailing thus far.
I've always had the dealer fill the ad-blue at service. Due to my low mileage, I've never topped it up myself!

But, as I said, I have kept an eye on the situation after the dealer offhand mentioned all the issues they've had with the ad-blue. So, the questions:

1) Is this known to affect any cars from a particular manufacturing period?
As I mentioned, my spacetourer has the slightly relocated ad-blue tank. Is this a later tank?

2)Is there a known cause for any of the major failures in the tank?

Is it exacerbated by overfilling?
Filling too often?
Or letting the tank run too low?
Quality of Adblue? (I've seen some mention the forecourt adblue may be of dubious quality due to storage conditions).

3) Is there any preventative action I could take? I see Wynn do a Ad-blue anti-crystalisation additive? Is there any confirmation that this is effective, or could it cause problems itself by affecting how the car processes the ad-blue (I read about once incident where the car (a merc?) detected the quality of the ad-blue was not good enough after using the additive, although I cannot confirm how true this is).

4) What is the current status of Citroen offering discounts on repair? Is it a case by case unofficial thing? I've seen some posts mention they have some kind of unofficial extended warrantee for the tank of up to 8 years? Some people seem to have been offered discounts, others not.

As my car just past gone over 5 years, and is now outside it's warrantee, should I (or can I) take out a further extended warrantee? Would this be prudent?

I've found some of the answers in previous posts, but like I said, I can't be sure they are the current up-to-date status of all my questions.

Kind Regards

(Long term French car owner)

Talbot Alpine
Peugeot 405 estate
Peugeot 406mk1
Peugeot 406mk1 facelift
Citroen xsara Picasso
C3 Picasso
C4 Grand Picasso MK2
C4 Grand Spacetourer

[CitroJim]

I'm watching this with interest...

The one preventative is dosing the tank with a bottle of (e.g.) Wynns Crystal Clear and Protect which is reputed to stop the Adblue crystallising and blockimg things up.

It will crystallise easily, and low mileage may not help in this respect. When my Adblue tank was last refilled, some was spilt in the spare wheel well and it crystallised to a remarkable extent.

I too have heard that it's best to buy Adblue from reputable sources and make sure it's as fresh as possible - knowing what it's mainly made of I can well imagine it'll go 'off' with age and poor storage. I may be wrong but I've been given to understand filling station forecourt Adblue is really intended for lorries and big vans rather than cars.

I'd not top up until advised to and then you're not just adding to already old Adblue in the tank. Best perhaps to let it run down until the warning and then refill...

[wheeler]

1) Is this known to affect any cars from a particular manufacturing period?
As I mentioned, my spacetourer has the slightly relocated ad-blue tank. Is this a later tank?

PSA are still having issues with urea tanks on the latest manufactured models

2)Is there a known cause for any of the major failures in the tank?

Quality of Adblue? .

Yes this is important, the first check that gets done in the test procedure is to take a sample of ablue from the tank & measure its specific gravity. Some cars (JLR for example) are very fussy about what adblue goes in the tank & putting cheap nasty stuff in the tank it wont even detect it.

3) Is there any preventative action I could take? I see Wynn do a Ad-blue anti-crystalisation additive? Is there any confirmation that this is effective, or could it cause problems itself by affecting how the car processes the ad-blue (I read about once incident where the car (a merc?) detected the quality of the ad-blue was not good enough after using the additive, although I cannot confirm how true this is).

The question to ask is do PSA approve any additive in their adblue tanks?? As for the quality question see the answer above.

4) What is the current status of Citroen offering discounts on repair? Is it a case by case unofficial thing? I've seen some posts mention they have some kind of unofficial extended warrantee for the tank of up to 8 years? Some people seem to have been offered discounts, others not.

Currently PSA offer partial covering of costs (after the initial warranty period) for urea tanks up to 8 years or 131,00 miles. This is case by case & the amout they will cover reduces by age & milage.

[CitROeNALD]

2)Is there a known cause for any of the major failures in the tank?

Quality of Adblue? .

Yes this is important, the first check that gets done in the test procedure is to take a sample of ablue from the tank & measure its specific gravity. Some cars (JLR for example) are very fussy about what adblue goes in the tank & putting cheap nasty stuff in the tank it wont even detect it.

If this is the case, is there a generally agreed source of good quality Adblue? A specific brand?

In addition, is there any guidance on the correct way to fill up the tank that mitigates issues? I've read things on overfilling, under-filling, filling too often, not often enough.

[dctom]

1) Is this known to affect any cars from a particular manufacturing period?
As I mentioned, my spacetourer has the slightly relocated ad-blue tank. Is this a later tank?

PSA are still having issues with urea tanks on the latest manufactured models

2)Is there a known cause for any of the major failures in the tank?

Quality of Adblue? .

Yes this is important, the first check that gets done in the test procedure is to take a sample of ablue from the tank & measure its specific gravity. Some cars (JLR for example) are very fussy about what adblue goes in the tank & putting cheap nasty stuff in the tank it wont even detect it.

3) Is there any preventative action I could take? I see Wynn do a Ad-blue anti-crystalisation additive? Is there any confirmation that this is effective, or could it cause problems itself by affecting how the car processes the ad-blue (I read about once incident where the car (a merc?) detected the quality of the ad-blue was not good enough after using the additive, although I cannot confirm how true this is).

The question to ask is do PSA approve any additive in their adblue tanks?? As for the quality question see the answer above.

4) What is the current status of Citroen offering discounts on repair? Is it a case by case unofficial thing? I've seen some posts mention they have some kind of unofficial extended warrantee for the tank of up to 8 years? Some people seem to have been offered discounts, others not.

Currently PSA offer partial covering of costs (after the initial warranty period) for urea tanks up to 8 years or 131,00 miles. This is case by case & the amout they will cover reduces by age & milage.

Hello

Just joined the forum.

I Have a 2018/68K Berlingo multispace which has Adblue issues. My garage think it is the tank (cleaned injector and DPF) so I am going to citroen dealer for confirmation. Does anyone know if the Berlingo might be covered at all as mentioed in the above post?

thanks