AdBlue – Harrogate

v1 –

If you own a modern diesel car, it will most likely require AdBlue.

At Garage Services we stock AdBlue at our Harrogate workshop and can check your AdBlue level and top it up if required. Since emission rules were tightened in 2016, AdBlue has been used to help reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines. Garage Services will check your vehicle’s AdBlue levels during regular services but it’s also worth checking the levels and topping them up between services to ensure that your vehicle continues to meet the required emission standards.

Some vehicles have an AdBlue gauge on the dashboard to alert you when levels are low and if that happens, give the team at Garage Services a call to sort that out for you.

v2 –

Garage Services provides an AdBlue cleaning and maintenance service at our Harrogate workshop.

AdBlue, otherwise known as diesel exhaust fluid, is a mix of deionised water and high-grade urea which is sprayed automatically into a diesel vehicle’s exhaust system to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. The AdBlue fluid in any diesel vehicle will be checked and topped up, if necessary, during each service, but it’s wise to keep an eye on its level yourself between services, as you would any of the other fluids in your car or van.

There are issues that can occur relating to AdBlue fluid, the more common ones include:

  • AdBlue tank leaks
  • AdBlue level sensor failure
  • AdBlue pump failure
  • AdBlue injector failure
  • AdBlue pre-heater/heater failure
  • AdBlue fluid contamination
  • NOx sensor failures
  • SCR catalyst issues
  • Electrical problems or ECU issues

At Garage Services we are AdBlue specialists and will find and resolve any AdBlue issues your diesel car or van may have. This is specialist work and should only be carried out by AdBlue specialist technicians with the appropriate specialist equipment – all of which we have at Garage Services. If you think you have an AdBlue problem, get in touch and we’ll do the rest, getting you back on the road in no time.

v3-

What is AdBlue?

AdBlue is a combination of urea and deionised water which is added to diesel-powered vehicles to lower their emissions of nitrous oxide. It functions by spraying tiny volumes of AdBlue into your diesel vehicle’s catalytic converter which then causes most of the nitrous oxide to turn into water. Most modern diesel vehicles require AdBlue and it’s added to the car right next to where you fill up with diesel – the AdBlue tank usually has a blue cap to differentiate between that and the diesel tank.

How to avoid the most common AdBlue problems:

  • Don’t let the AdBlue run out – If the AdBlue runs out it can prevent your car from starting or put it into limp mode and of course, it will significantly increase the toxicity of the emissions from your car. You’ll likely have to top up the AdBlue in between services so keep an eye out for a light on the dashboard and make sure you don’t ignore it if it comes on.
  • Don’t put anything into the AdBlue tank apart from AdBlue – It may sound obvious, but any contamination of the AdBlue can lead to all sorts of engine problems.
  • Try to prevent AdBlue crystallisation – The chemical reaction that is required for AdBlue to do its job only happens when the catalytic converter reaches a certain temperature. This means that you have to give your car enough driving time for the catalytic converter to heat up. If it never gets to the required temperature, the AdBlue is left unused and evaporates and crystallises within the system. These crystals create obstructions that can harm your car’s catalytic converter and other exhaust system parts.

What should I do if the AdBlue warning light comes on?

In this case, get in touch with the team at Garage Services as this could mean that there’s a sensor malfunction – a fairly common AdBlue problem. If the sensor malfunctions, then the system can inject too much or too little solution into the exhaust gas which eventually causes engine problems. We also sometimes see clogged nozzles or faulty pumps. These are all issues that we can fix here at Garage Services, the key is to get in touch with us as soon as the AdBlue warning light comes on so that we can pinpoint the issue and get it sorted before it has a chance to cause any serious damage.

V4-

AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid, comprising a mixture of de-ionised water and high-grade urea, automatically sprayed into a diesel vehicle’s exhaust system to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx).

It’s a legal requirement that your vehicle’s NOx emissions stay below the prescribed levels, so it’s sensible to keep an eye on them. The AdBlue fluid in a diesel vehicle is usually checked and topped up if necessary during each service, but it’s also wise to check the level between services yourself, as you would check any of the other fluids in your car or van.

There are a few issues which can occur related to AdBlue and the AdBlue system in your vehicle. Some of the more common ones are AdBlue parts and components failures, AdBlue fluid contamination, tank leakage, NOx sensor failure, SCR catalyst issues or electrical problems, and ECU issues. All of these issues will require the attention of an experienced garage such as Garage Services. We can also diagnose any issues with your AdBlue software, and advise on any corrections that may need to be made.

If you have noticed, or suspect, that your vehicle has an AdBlue issue, call Garage Services on 01423 855902, contact us online or bring your vehicle along to our premises in Harrogate.

V5 –

Garage Services in Harrogate, provides all aspects of care and maintenance for AdBlue systems, from top-ups to software updates and sensor repairs.

What is AdBlue?

AdBlue is a fluid made from a mixture of urea and deionised water which is used in diesel vehicles to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. When injected into the exhaust stream of diesel engines, AdBlue breaks down NOx into nitrogen and water vapour, significantly reducing emissions. It’s normally added to your vehicle just next to where you fill up with diesel (the AdBlue cap will be blue to differentiate from the black diesel cap).

How can I avoid AdBlue issues?

  • Regularly check and refill AdBlue before it runs out – a light should come on in the dashboard to alert you that the AdBlue is running low.
  • Make sure you store your AdBlue correctly – try to keep it out of extreme temperatures and direct sunlight and always with the cap on tightly to avoid dirt or dust getting in and contaminating the fluid.
  • Schedule regular maintenance of your vehicle to help avoid AdBlue sensor and injector problems and also to help avoid crystallisation of the fluid taking place.

How can Garage Services help with AdBlue problems?

Your vehicle has sensors which monitor AdBlue levels and NOx emissions. If the sensors malfunction, they can cause error codes or system failures, preventing the vehicle from running properly. This is one of the reasons that at Garage Services, we highly recommend having your car regularly serviced so that we can catch any potential issues early. We use diagnostic scans to determine the cause of the issue and then employ solutions such as software updates or sensor recalibrations to resolve the problem.

V6 –

The AdBlue fluid mixture consists of water and urea, which is injected into the exhaust system of a diesel vehicle to convert the toxic NOx emissions into Nitrogen and Oxygen by using a catalytic converter.

In the UK, the emissions regulations are more strict than ever, making it vital to ensure that your vehicle is compliant, otherwise it will fail its next MOT test and could face a fine if entering any of Britain’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zones). This places even greater importance on making sure consumable items like the AdBlue fluid are maintained properly to ensure your vehicle remains legal.

Garage Services has a wealth of experience, technology and qualifications to provide a range of AdBlue services for diesel vehicles. This ranges from simple checks, to fluid top-ups, to software adjustments that control and regulate the fluid in the exhaust system. If an emissions-related warning light appears on your dash, we suggest you seek the advice of a reliable and trustworthy garage such as Garage Services without delay and, regardless of warning signs, it is sensible to get your vehicle’s AdBlue level checked regularly.

Make sure your vehicle is emissions-compliant by booking it in for an AdBlue check at Garage Services. Phone 01423 855902, contact us online, or call into our premises in Harrogate.

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To find out more about AdBlue in Harrogate, contact us online or call us directly on 01423 855902

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