X5 35d - Exhaust fluid

[bigx5er]

It would appear that BMW is calling the fluid a consumable like diesel instead of a maintenance item. Perhaps along the lines of wiper fluid.

I'm not that troubled. I'm guessing I can get it for much less than $9 a gallon - just need to figure out how to fill it into that hole. Is there an adapter that can be purchased?

[Craig]

Yes, it's called a funnel...

Craig

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

It would appear that BMW is calling the fluid a consumable like diesel instead of a maintenance item. Perhaps along the lines of wiper fluid.

I'm not that troubled. I'm guessing I can get it for much less than $9 a gallon - just need to figure out how to fill it into that hole. Is there an adapter that can be purchased?

Was I dreaming when my CA showed me an adapter/funnel in the rear "trunk" area during pick up? Was it for diesel pump or urea?

[ranchhand]

Should be in a plastic bottle and it is for diesel.
Instructions are on the side of the bottle.

[ICX5]

Originally Posted by darkside4.8

ended up having my def fill-up good willed, but probably not next time.
if your fluid does not make it the full 10k between scheduled services (or 1 year) REPORT THIS PROBLEM. we all went gaga for this new diesel technology, and if you're like me you're paying through-the-roof interest rates (because they dont know how it will be on the resale end). why should we be punished because of where we live or how we drive?
I especially urge those in cold climates experiencing issues to call in.
BMW needs to step up and deal with this.

My 09 35d just had its first dealer oil change at 6,000 miles, while in for this service, it also had remaining Adblue drained and fully filled. Vehicle was built December 2008 and as stated in the manual (or maybe I read this somewhere else), the fluid is good for one year. So if you have not fully depleted the Adblue in one year, dealer may drain and refill (what my dealer did, can't speak to others).

I guess most importantly, there was no charge for servicing the Adblue, in fact, no mention of it until I saw the service paperwork when I was picking up the vehicle.

[beantowncruiser]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

It would appear that BMW is calling the fluid a consumable like diesel instead of a maintenance item. Perhaps along the lines of wiper fluid.

I'm not that troubled. I'm guessing I can get it for much less than $9 a gallon - just need to figure out how to fill it into that hole. Is there an adapter that can be purchased?

If it's available at $9.00 per gallon, I wouldn't have a problem with it - I have a problem with having to buy the 2 1/2 litre bottle of the stuff at the dealership for $45.00 which is closer to $80.00 per gallon for something that I was led to believe by BMW that they were going to be providing to begin with, under their maintenance program.

[bigx5er]

Originally Posted by Craig

Yes, it's called a funnel...

Craig

Ha! Thanks for being gentle. I for some reason kept thinking I needed some fancy doohicky.

[Diesel Guy]

DEF is DEF. As long as you're purchasing a named brand. I too was initially concerned about the original fill not lasting until the 1st oil change. I suspect it never was filled 100% initially. I too thought that the top offs were to be covered by BMW, yet now it appears they're not. I assume that wiper fluid isn't covered either. I've put a gollaon of DEF and Rain X in the 1st 3500 miles.

It doesn't bother me as much today, as I have access to DEF at the office. And even though I drive past the BMW dealer twice each day, it still just as easy for anyone to add DEF or wiper fluid themselves. It may be the only maintenance that's easy of the X5 d.

If you're concerned about having a jug of DEF in the garage......I wouldn't buy from BMW, as I'm sure its over priced. If you're near a truck stop, you may purchase from them, or if you're near a truck dealer (Freightliner, Volvo, Peterbilt or Kenworth), or best an engine distributor, Cummins or Detroit Diesel.

Cummins sells their own brand (Fleetguard) and can be found at the truck dealers too. Freightliner or Detroit Diesel are owned by Mercedes, and the have the Add Blue variety. The 1 gallon Fleetguard was easy to poor into the nozzle with a small (clean) funnel. I think the Detroit Diesel 2.5 gallon jug would be a bit of a hassle as you'd have to balance that and would likely spill some.

I'll wait to pass judgement on the useage factor until I get a complete fill at the oil change interval. Then I'll be able to understand the usage factor a bit better. I don't believe that the SCR/NOx filter is as temperature sensative (the DPF filter is dependent on exhaust temp). The exhaust temp needs to be hot enough to vapoirize the 66% ionized water in the DEF fluid, and leave pure ammonia in the exhaust stream to work properly in the filter. I don't know what this is, but even if it's low, it shouldn't require the useage of that much more DEF. I'll ask one of our engineers for his opinion and report back. As a point of reference, Cummins anticipates about a 2% use of DEF over Diesel fuel in 'normal' duty cycles.

Happy New Year !!

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Diesel Guy

.... As a point of reference, Cummins anticipates about a 2% use of DEF over Diesel fuel in 'normal' duty cycles.....

Thanks for the DEF info.

If I understand this statement, Cummins expects the DEF usage in a 'normal' duty cycle to be 2% of the diesel fuel used. IOW 6 gal of DEF will be consumed for every 300 gal of diesel fuel. If this is the case, then a vehicle averaging 24mpg would use 6 gal of DEF every 7,200 miles. Is that right?

Thanks in Advance - Funf Dreisig

[JCL]

I believe that there are different specs for various diesel exhaust fluids, all designed for selective catalytic reduction. BMW's requirement is for AUS32, according to the owner's manual, which is 32% acqueous urea solution. Any fluid that meast the AUS32 spec would be fine. The spec is controlled by ISO and DIN standards.

Some diesels use AUS32 at 3-5% of diesel fuel burned, not at 2% as Cummins has published (but it depends on duty cycles).