(A180) AdBlue system fault Perf. reduced in XXX miles

[beachjunkie]

Hi guys,

I am hoping someone can me with something, as I have not been able to find the answer online or in the owner’s manual.

I am receiving the error message, AdBlue system fault Perf. reduced in XXX miles, which I understand I will need to go to a garage for.

My question is, when it says reduced performance in xxx miles what does that actually mean?

- Does it mean I am limited to a certain speed? i.e. cant do more than 65mph
- Does it mean I have less HP?
- Slower acceleration?

The reason I ask, is the vehicle can’t be seen for almost 2 weeks, and I need to know if the car will be safe to drive and I am not suddenly limited in speed whilst on a motorway.

Cheers in advance

 

[EmilysDad]

Welcome to the forum
Adblue problems are well documented here. I understood that the car just won't start when the mileage gets to zero.

If you take it to MB, they will want to replace the whole Adblue system & relieve your wallet of £thousands

 

[Wighty]

Is the car within its 3 year manufacturing warranty ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

All EU6 diesels run ADBLUE (urea injection) and if the system malfunctions the engine management system initiates a mileage countdown to an engine no start. A tank and pump replacement can work out very expensive, most faults relate to the tank heater or the urea becoming crystallised

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

TBH if its outside of warranty, get it written out of the ecu or replace the parts as they go. The choice/cost is yours.

 

[beachjunkie]

Thanks all, it doesn't yet say that it won't start only reduce performance... So am hopeful that it will just be slower...?

Just outside of warranty typically.... Not going to mb

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If it has low miles and MBFSH you could try talking to the dealer about it after all the system isn’t fit for purpose and ask for a substantial contribution from MB towards the repair you would need to pay the £150 diagnosis fee however

 

[rf065]

Get it remapped with adblue and egr delete, the car will run a lot smoother and faster without the thousands of pound worth of adblue faults that will continue for as long as you own the car.

 

[fabes]

As per Malcolm 210 above, if it has full MB history, contact them asap and see what they offer.

They may surprise you (and us)

The next option is to review your consumer rights under sale of goods (or the relevent Act) as it may be within expectation for it to last longer that three years.

Do not exceed those xxx miles left in the meantime else you would be contributing to the resultant damage.

 

[rf065]

As per Malcolm 210 above, if it has full MB history, contact them asap and see what they offer.

They may surprise you (and us)

The next option is to review your consumer rights under sale of goods (or the relevent Act) as it may be within expectation for it to last longer that three years.

Do not exceed those xxx miles left in the meantime else you would be contributing to the resultant damage.

Been there, done that, they will offer nothing. Just get it remapped and stop paying thousands of your hard earned for a system not fit for purpose.

 

[beachjunkie]

Been there, done that, they will offer nothing. Just get it remapped and stop paying thousands of your hard earned for a system not fit for purpose.

Thanks for the tip. So I could get the engine remapped to no longer require AdBlue is that you mean?

 

[rf065]

Thanks for the tip. So I could get the engine remapped to no longer require AdBlue is that you mean?

Yes, there are now thousands of remappers out there who are deleting adblue and egr systems everyday, the system just does not work and no one cares as long as the customer keeps replacing parts at eye watering costs.

 

[DSK]

In addition to each of valuable comments above, adblue is not a performance related item so I’d not trust the warnings on screen. It’s probably the nicest way MB could find to say reduced performance can also include the car not starting!

I would take that as the countdown for your car not starting in xxx miles. Depending on the nature of fault with adblue, cars will not start after 500 miles, thus to prevent drivers driving around in “illegal” cars. (Don’t get me started on my views of systems not fit for purpose - i mean what imbecile decided 500 miles is sufficient? I used to do 1k a week for over a decade prior to lock down).

Do not take your car to an Mb dealer or non independent specialist. A reputable MB independent specialist is what you need asap.

As mentioned the choice to fix/map out is yours. Fwiw I’ve been doing ok with the 3rg anti crystallisation additive and say a fresh drain/fill of adblue every 6 months. The latter is the path I’ve chosen for now rather than change vehicle.


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[beachjunkie]

Thank you all for your responses - much appreciated! Lots to consider

 

[beachjunkie]

Yes, there are now thousands of remappers out there who are deleting adblue and egr systems everyday, the system just does not work and no one cares as long as the customer keeps replacing parts at eye watering costs.

Sorry mate - quick question. Wont this get picked up during an MOT emissions test?

 

[rf065]

Sorry mate - quick question. Wont this get picked up during an MOT emissions test?

No.

 

[Botus]

Hi guys,



I am receiving the error message, AdBlue system fault Perf. reduced in XXX miles, which I understand I will need to go to a garage for.



Cheers in advance

I'd suggest its telling you you have ignored previous warnings to refill the adblue tank

the car is heading to empty and they system won't allow that - so it stops the car being started - and its encouraging you to go buy some adblue (aka urea) with increasingly scary messages, trying to stop you stranding yourself - its a emission system on most tractors these days - it gets injected in the exhaust pollution to try and stop so many deaths of little children, by people starting engines that run on deadly diesel

the harder you drive or the higher your motorway speeds, the faster the tank empties

 

[Botus]

Get it remapped with adblue and egr delete, the car will run a lot smoother and faster without the thousands of pound worth of adblue faults that will continue for as long as you own the car.

is illegal and means the car can not pass an MOT test - quite rightly, this is becoming on of the most serious infringements an MOT tester and or an Owner can try to fiddle - many european countries are introducing roadside testing - I believe it has happened in the UK at ULEZ locations - people that have modified this emission system should go to prison

UK was checking lorries from 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lorry-emissions-checks-to-start-at-the-roadside

 

[rf065]

is illegal and means the car can not pass an MOT test - quite rightly, this is becoming on of the most serious infringements an MOT tester and or an Owner can try to fiddle - many european countries are introducing roadside testing - I believe it has happened in the UK at ULEZ locations - people that have modified this emission system should go to prison

UK was checking lorries from 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lorry-emissions-checks-to-start-at-the-roadside

Absolute garbage, it was in fact my mot tester who said they cannot tell if a car has had the adblue remapped out and even if they do know, none have ever failed an emissions test. Illegal it may be, but that doesn't mean owners have to empty their wallets every year.

 

[DSK]

Hopefully the above damned if you and damned if you don’t situation is what the anti crystallisation additives by 3rg and Forte can help with, making ones adblue system work for more than 5 minutes.


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