Adblue Blues

[ian4apenny]

Excuse my ignorance, but I am a complete newby to using Adblu having chosen a moho without it the last time round. Now we have just bought a Ducato based moho with the "benefit" of Adblu and I have few questions related to use.
1) Is it best to carry a container of Adblu with you or rely on refilling regularly at petrol stations?
2) Is it easy enough to refill. I read somewhere that it is nasty stuff to handle?
3) What is this about formation of crystals? Should I be worried or is there a way to avoid it?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We’ve found this app quite useful - AdBlue4you, for iOS, not sure if there’s an Android version? It shows pumps for vans and cars, as well as for trucks. I don’t imagine it’s exhaustive, but it has quite a few pumps.
I have filled from a 10l container, but much prefer using a pump (& it’s generally cheaper!)

 

[Grummyb]

Pumps are cheaper and also will stop you putting abdlu in the diesel tank as there is a magnet in the filler neck and the abdlu pump won't operate with the magnet

 

[Ravelin]

Do not buy Adblue containers from a forecourt where they are left outside in the sun. Sunlight is very bad for Adblue.

I wish someone would tell Aldi, B&Q and various others this as they sit pallets of 10l AdBlue containers outside their shop doors. I always buy it at the local garage where they at least store it inside the shop under the bottom shelf, and usually no more than 3 sitting there at a time. More expensive though.

 

[Pausim]

I wish someone would tell Aldi, B&Q and various others this as they sit pallets of 10l AdBlue containers outside their shop doors. I always buy it at the local garage where they at least store it inside the shop under the bottom shelf, and usually no more than 3 sitting there at a time. More expensive though.

Both Aldi and B&Q sell Carlube Adblue and the container clearly states “This product must be stored out of direct sunlight”. Perhaps they don’t understand the instructions or more likely don’t care. Like you I will not buy from somewhere where they are not storing it properly.

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[Scottish Scrutineer]

Euro Car Parts is another place to buy at reasonable prices, search for the local depot. I’m a bit more relaxed about it having run my T6 for over a year and now find the AdBlue doesn’t need refilling too often. If you can find forecourt pumps, that is usually cheaper.
Thanks for the link to the AdBlue4you app Solwaybuggier

 

[David and Sally]

Get mine from Screwfix. Always check the date. No issue using the pourer into the inlet on the van.

 

[GrahamnSue]

First fill with Adblue today at 2,000 miles and showing 35% on the gauge, it took 11.8 litres.
I was cautious of not overfilling or spilling so stopped the first time the pump clicked off.

When I turned the ignition on, without starting the engine, the gauge went from 35% to 98% in one % increments in roughly 30 seconds.

I was slightly nervous having not used Adblue before. I had to look at the pump for a few seconds before realising that I had to slide a cover up to get at the Adblue gun

 

[Moose29]

I wouldn't bother with a spare container, either use a pump or buy a container when you get to about 40% in the Adblue gauge (I believe the adblue tank is 19 litres). Adblue in a container supposedly has a about year's shelf life if stored correctly.

I have topped the adblue up twice in 8000 miles in my 2022 Ducato. The first time I used the HGV pump at the Shell garage on the A31 just north of Ringwood (sadly I cannot see this station on AdBlue4you). It shot into the tank a rate of knots and resulted in a little spillage but this was easily cleaned with blue paper towel at the pump. The cost was £1.99 a litre!
After filling up, the adblue level stuck at 99% for a few hundred miles. It took the gentle rocking of a trip on the Le Shuttle to fix this.
The second time I bought a 10 litre container from B and Q for £8. The trick with the container was the adapter hidden behind the container's label. Attach the adapter to the container, the other end then clips into the Adblue filler hole on the van. It was simple and fairly clean using the container/adapter solution but still resulted a few drops when the adapter was detached and then there's a small amount of adblue left in the container and the empty container to dispose of.

 

[ontheroadagain]

One of these makes filling from a container very easy.

Amazon.co.uk

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[Moose29]

One of these makes filling from a container very easy.

Amazon.co.uk

I didn't need this. The 10 litre Adblue I bought had an adapter behind the label.

 

[h8ten]

I'm at over 5,500 miles and only halfway through the initial 'factory fill'. I have a couple of 10-litre containers in my dark shed for when needed, Sprinter 316-based AS. I've looked for it at the pumps but none in my area, Perthshire.

 

[akadingbat]

I'm at over 5,500 miles and only halfway through the initial 'factory fill'. I have a couple of 10-litre containers in my dark shed for when needed, Sprinter 316-based AS. I've looked for it at the pumps but none in my area, Perthshire.

My Crafter was the same, topped it up with 10 litres and it was fine Totally agree lack of pumps in Perthshire! I have stopped buying AdBlue in advance because I went well over the one year shelf life before I needed to top up.

 

[Jescreet]

I got the Low adblue warning light on in France, so stopped at the nearest service aire and bought a 10 Litre tub, 5 litres went in the tank and 3 litres all over my hands, and 2 litres all over the road ! best of luck ! and Im sure it says somewhere in the Ducato handbook not to over fill the adblue tank, I think my tank is about 19 Ltrs and it advised it will take 10 litres when the warning light first comes on.

 

[TrudeandDall]

I got the Low adblue warning light on in France, so stopped at the nearest service aire and bought a 10 Litre tub, 5 litres went in the tank and 3 litres all over my hands, and 2 litres all over the road ! best of luck ! and Im sure it says somewhere in the Ducato handbook not to over fill the adblue tank, I think my tank is about 19 Ltrs and it advised it will take 10 litres when the warning light first comes on.

I let mine run down until it shows half on the gauge, (roughly 2300 miles) and then refill in 100 miles or so at a convenient pump.
I filled yesterday and stopped the pump at 10lts, as I never wait for the pump to auto stop, or if the auto stop fails - overfill the tank.
The gauge now shows full and the cost for this fuss free 10ltr refill was £12.99. IMHO it's definitely not worth the hassle of buying and filling from an ( age unknown) container, when pumps have fresh AdBlue for similar cost.

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[Mark1965]

I wish someone would tell Aldi, B&Q and various others this as they sit pallets of 10l AdBlue containers outside their shop doors. I always buy it at the local garage where they at least store it inside the shop under the bottom shelf, and usually no more than 3 sitting there at a time. More expensive though.

I deliver fresh milk into Aldi supermarkets in an Articulated Truck. I have never seen Adblu outside the store... Are you sure it's not screen wash? The Adblu is usually in the middle isle. I also buy it for our 2022 Fiat Ducato PVC. It's a good price in Aldi for the 10 litre size compared to other outlets. All AB bottles should come with the spout inside the recessed part of the container.

 

[Mark1965]

I didn't need this. The 10 litre Adblue I bought had an adapter behind the label.

Yep. You shouldn't need this at all. All Adblu containers of 5litre plus have the screw on filling spout located on the recessed area of the container behind the label that goes around the middle of it. They are tapered at the end that goes into the vehicles Adblu tank. The size of the apature is universal ie it's the same size for every vehicle. It's exactly the same size as my 44 ton articulated truck.

 

[brushdw]

I always fill ours from a 10 litre container and also carry a spare 5 litres, some are easier to fill than others, ours isn’t that easy as it’s in a side locker so I don’t want any spills, yes it will form crystals when open to air but they are easily re absorbed into the fluid, there are additives available that are supposed to prevent crystals in the system and make it more reliable but I don’t know if it’s just “snake oil”

Ours is IVECO daily so you need to familiarise yourself with where the filler is on your van.

Use garages with a pump rather than fiddle about with a bottle. Way easier, probably cheaper and only buy what you need to fill - autostop just like a petrol pump..

 

[ian4apenny]

Thanks for all your comments and advice chaps.

 

[royandsharont]

Does anyone use the additive that is sold to prevent crystals forming. I think it’s a big company, like Wyns, that produce one type?

Is it better to have it topped over winter when stored rather than when touring

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[Pausim]

Does anyone use the additive that is sold to prevent crystals forming. I think it’s a big company, like Wyns, that produce one type?

Is it better to have it topped over winter when stored rather than when touring

Not a good idea if you have a Fiat warranty. The handbook states “the warranty expires” if additives are used.

 

[ontheroadagain]

Not a good idea if you have a Fiat warranty. The handbook states “the warranty expires” if additives are used.

I use "Forte Exhaust Crystal Preventer"
I have no idea if it works but I have had no problems to date and the user reviews are generally very good.
As to the warranty, how would they know?
Such a small amount is added that the only way to tell would be to have the Adblue tested at a lab.
I cant imagine a Fiat Professional garage doing that.

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[Pausim]

I use "Forte Exhaust Crystal Preventer"
I have no idea if it works but I have had no problems to date and the user reviews are generally very good.
As to the warranty, how would they know?
Such a small amount is added that the only way to tell would be to have the Adblue tested at a lab.
I cant imagine a Fiat Professional garage doing that.

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Perhaps they wouldn’t check but I expect the claim would get referred to AdBlue who might want samples. I don’t know but clearly they don’t think additives are needed and don’t want you using them. Perhaps some additives are ok but I suspect there is a lot of snake oil out there as well.