"AdBlue-Incorrect fluid" warning implications

[RockDriver]

So I have this glorious warning now on my F15 30D. It comes up when driving for a few minutes at around 70 mph, but not consistently. When I shut down the engine and lock/unlock the car (have no idea how to otherwise effectively shut down the damn iDrive) - it goes away.

I did some googling around and found quite a few cases with this issue. Apparently the warning is misleading and most likely has to do with malfunctioning NOx sensors or other related AdBlue stuff. The biggest concern though was that some people reported that together with this warning they were also getting a 200 mile countdown and a warning that after it runs out the engine won't start. On the other hand some people said that UK models don't have the countdown, but there's a lot of conflicting information out there.

My immediate problem is that I need to take the car on a Christmas trip in Europe and I really don't want to get stuck with some damn countdown of doom in the middle of Germany or whatever. So I'm trying to find some clarity on that.

I called the BMW independent that I use, but they are all done for this year, so no dice. I called the local official BMW dealer, but they are also booked until January and of course they couldn't give me a straight answer about the risk of this potential countdown. It was naive of me to expect they would answer a question about their car without at least charging me four figures for it, that is.

So I'm here now, desperately digging for information. If any of you guys have encountered or know anything about this - I'd be great to hear your thoughts.

[RockDriver]

So, following the last few days of crickets, I thought I was gonna leave an update for anyone getting the same warning.

Last time I saw the warning was 3 days ago and since I've driven over 500 miles on motorways trying to trigger the warning, but it never came up again. So my current working theory is that when I bought the car, the remaining AdBlue in it has expired and lost it's potency, hence the fault was triggered and after topping up with fresh AdBlue it just went away.

I'm thinking of adding the AdBlue anti-crystallization additive (Forte), like I did on my last car (MB W166) which ended up having 0 issues with the AdBlue system even though it was known to be prone to that.

[5s Alive]

RockDriver said:

So, following the last few days of crickets, I thought I was gonna leave an update for anyone getting the same warning.

Last time I saw the warning was 3 days ago and since I've driven over 500 miles on motorways trying to trigger the warning, but it never came up again. So my current working theory is that when I bought the car, the remaining AdBlue in it has expired and lost it's potency, hence the fault was triggered and after topping up with fresh AdBlue it just went away.

I'm thinking of adding the AdBlue anti-crystallization additive (Forte), like I did on my last car (MB W166) which ended up having 0 issues with the AdBlue system even though it was known to be prone to that.

Thanks for this, I don't have a diesel but friends and family do. I had no idea AdBlue had a shelf life or could crystallize in the delivery system. 12mths from date of manufacture or 6mths from opening so best to buy only what you intend to use. Who knew? I certainly didn't!

Glad it was a cheap and easy fix for you.

[RockDriver]

5s Alive said:

Thanks for this, I don't have a diesel but friends and family do. I had no idea AdBlue had a shelf life or could crystallize in the delivery system. 12mths from date of manufacture or 6mths from opening so best to buy only what you intend to use. Who knew? I certainly didn't!

Glad it was a cheap and easy fix for you.

Yep. I ended up pouring a bottle of FORTE Exhaust Crystal Preventer on top of a full tank of Adblue and 4000 miles later - not a single fault. Having now used it on 2 different cars I'm starting to believe this stuff actually works.

[Jaybmw]

Or just maybe remove AdBlue completely. Truly stupid and any vehicle we have it's gone. Less to worry about

[Wills2]

Jaybmw said:

Or just maybe remove AdBlue completely. Truly stupid and any vehicle we have it's gone. Less to worry about

It's not truly stupid it reduces N0x by 90% which is to be welcomed, cleaner air has never been stupid.

[RockDriver]

Jaybmw said:

Or just maybe remove AdBlue completely. Truly stupid and any vehicle we have it's gone. Less to worry about

I read that would be illegal though? The car wouldn't pass MOT, would it? Also as I understand if you disable Adblue, then you also have to remove the DPF too, which apparently without Adblue breaks down soon.

It would be pretty difficult to hide too, when the F15 starts spitting smoke like an old tractor.