Certainly, the price of diesel increased again at the start of the week. But here the problem is different. In fact, many motorists driving on Diesel find themselves with an AdBlue tank to change, with a hefty bill as a result. “A few days ago, when starting my diesel car, a worrying message appeared: “engine failure, need repair. Your car will no longer start in 1100 km”. At the end of the check, I am told that the AdBlue tank needs to be changed and that it will cost me around €1,200: the pump which injects the product into the catalytic converter is an integral part of this tank and that it no longer works. It is therefore necessary to replace the tank-pump assembly. And pay. Please note, my car has less than 80,000 km on the clock,” wrote an Internet user to our colleagues at La Voix du Nord.
And this reader is not the only one in this situation, far from it. Numerous reports of breakdowns linked to AdBlue, this additive intended for diesel engines, have been noted for several months. And the Belgian consumer association Testachats would have received more than 3,500 similar complaints, note our colleagues from RTBF.
AdBlue is a liquid additive that reduces emissions of polluting particles from diesel engines and thus makes them less polluting.
As a reminder, AdBlue is a liquid additive that reduces emissions of polluting particles from diesel engines and thus makes them less polluting. By chemical reaction, the particles making up the additive transform the polluting particles into nitrogen or water, thus making their environmental impact harmless. It is mandatory for recent vehicles (since the mid-2010s) which have an SCR device (such as Selective Catalytic Reduction). Furthermore, AdBlue has been compulsory for heavy goods vehicles since 2006. Why does it damage certain engines?
AdBlue can crystallize and block the injector. In this case, it is necessary to replace the injector (approximately 200 euros) but also the ADblue tank (1350 euros) and a probe which allows the level of nitrogen oxide to be measured (600 euros). The whole thing ultimately costs the motorist around 2,150 euros, including labor and VAT.
What can we do?
Using an anti-crystallizing agent in your AdBlue tank reduces the risk of crystallization and therefore clogging of the injector, leading to breakdowns even if “it is not a miracle product”. Some also short-circuit the AdBlue system but the vehicle is then no longer compliant and therefore almost impossible to resell. And then it’s illegal and it can cost you dearly if you are checked: a motorist caught in the act was fined recently, reports Le Dauphiné Libération, and had to pay €2,800 to comply. Will Stellantis reimburse users?
After the PureTech engine scandal, Stellantis, whose vehicle brands Citroën, Peugeot and Opel are the subject of numerous complaints about AdBlue tanks, once again seems particularly concerned. Regarding a possible reimbursement of customers of their brands in Belgium, they responded to our colleagues: “The Stellantis brands undertake to compensate (editor’s note: with the exception of labor) the replacement of the AdBlue tank to its customers, 100% for vehicles less than 5 years old and less than 150,000 km (from the start date of the warranty) and between 30 to 90% for vehicles aged 5 to 8 years , less than 210,000 km (from the start date of the warranty). A reduction of 30 euros on labor is also planned. Since April 2024, we have also put in place a policy covering cases of repeat offenses.”
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