X5 35d - Exhaust fluid

[k80jr]

I just returned from the dealer after they filled it with diesel exhaust fluid. All OK now. The passive(main) tank was empty and active tank was 33% full. 1st fill at 12k,2nd fill 18K, this fill, the 3rd fill, at 19k. SA says that he isn't sure if they know how to fill the tanks properly. This 35d is the first one this dealer has seen. I'm sure they still learning how to fill it. I'm being patient and not going on any long trips.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by k80jr

I just returned from the dealer after they filled it with diesel exhaust fluid. All OK now. The passive(main) tank was empty and active tank was 33% full. 1st fill at 12k,2nd fill 18K, this fill, the 3rd fill, at 19k. SA says that he isn't sure if they know how to fill the tanks properly. This 35d is the first one this dealer has seen. I'm sure they still learning how to fill it. I'm being patient and not going on any long trips.

Either your SA is right and they haven't been filling yours properly or you have a massive leak. Using 4-5 gals of DEF in roughly 1,000 miles simply does not seem possible.

Does your paperwork show the number of gals for each DEF fill?

IMO All of us (35d owners) need to require that our dealer tell us how much DEF was used to refill the tanks. That is the only way we will be able to get a handle on the usage rates for the 35d. It pretty obvious that (at least some of) the dealers are clueless about this issue.

Funf Dreisig

[k80jr]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Either your SA is right and they haven't been filling yours properly or you have a massive leak. Using 4-5 gals of DEF in roughly 1,000 miles simply does not seem possible.

Does your paperwork show the number of gals for each DEF fill?

IMO All of us (35d owners) need to require that our dealer tell us how much DEF was used to refill the tanks. That is the only way we will be able to get a handle on the usage rates for the 35d. It pretty obvious that (at least some of) the dealers are clueless about this issue.

Funf Dreisig

Well, the invoice says they used 1 83-19-0-440-158 diesel exhaust fluid.
Also says filled both tanks. Says they checked fluid level via ISTA.

Does not state quantity of DEF used.

Next service visit will be in about 3k for oil change. Will ask what quantity DEF they use then. It won't be long for 3k to happen. Hope I don't need DEF filled before then. Will keep everyone updated.

[ard]

Originally Posted by k80jr

Well, the invoice says they used 1 83-19-0-440-158 diesel exhaust fluid.

That is the part number for a SINGLE 2.5 Gallon bottle.

What IS the capacity for the full refill???

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by k80jr

Well, the invoice says they used 1 83-19-0-440-158 diesel exhaust fluid.
Also says filled both tanks. Says they checked fluid level via ISTA.

Does not state quantity of DEF used.

Next service visit will be in about 3k for oil change. Will ask what quantity DEF they use then. It won't be long for 3k to happen. Hope I don't need DEF filled before then. Will keep everyone updated.

Thanks for the info. But what your SA told you and what the paper works says simply does not add up.

Originally Posted by ard

That is the part number for a SINGLE 2.5 Gallon bottle....

IIRC a single 2.5 gallon bottle will fill the small (active) tank. But it takes another 4 gals to fill the passive tank. But I can't remember which tank has the .5 gal. IOW is it 2+4.5 or 2.5+4.

I really wonder if k80jr's dealer techs understand that there are two filler receptacles -- one for each tank

Funf Dreisig

Edit:it appears that I remembered the tank sizes incorrectly. The total capacity is more like 6 gals, split between the small tank (1.6 gal) and the larger tank (4.5 gal). see my next pos tin this thread for details.

[XXX555]

Misery loves company...

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[k80jr]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Thanks for the info. But what your SA told you and what the paper works says simply does not add up.

IIRC a single 2.5 gallon bottle will fill the small (active) tank. But it takes another 4 gals to fill the passive tank. But I can't remember which tank has the .5 gal. IOW is it 2+4.5 or 2.5+4.

I really wonder if k80jr's dealer techs understand that there are two filler receptacles -- one for each tank

Funf Dreisig

I'll have to check with them regarding 4 gallons in the passive tank and .5 gal in the active tank. 2 filler receptacles! This is very interesting! Eventually we will all(including the techs at my dealer) know how to do this! Will see them soon(2800 miles til next oil change). I hope not sooner.

[ard]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

I really wonder if k80jr's dealer techs understand that there are two filler receptacles -- one for each tank

Not to worry, that's why each of us paid the dealer $180 in "training"....

[FunfDreisig]

Here is more definitive info on the size of the tanks. This was originally posted by Penguin in another thread.

"This is from the BMW Press Release:

AdBlue technology by BMW:

Optimized emissions without requiring additional maintenance.

To introduce AdBlue technology into the car, BMW has developed a two-tank system ensuring convenient use of this new technology with all the benefits and ease required by the customer. The amount of AdBlue required in each case is injected from the active tank (approximately 1.6 gallons in volume) by means of a dosage pump. And since the urea solution would freeze at a temperature of 12.2oF, this active tank, as well as the dosage pipes, are heated.

The active tank is connected to a second reservoir, referred to as the passive tank. With its additional capacity of approximately 4.5 gallons, this passive tank offers a plentiful supply of the urea solution. The average range provided with this supply capacity is indeed sufficient to have the tank system replenished only when the driver needs to change the engine oil. Hence, the large amount of AdBlue stored in the reservoir enables the customer to enjoy continuous driving, without having to change his/her service intervals. The driver therefore benefits from the advantages of this environmentally friendly emission technology throughout the entire running life of the car, without any additional service or visits to the workshop. Since all BMWs sold in the US benefit from The BMW Maintenance Program, the refilling of the AdBlue tanks will be a no-charge service for 4 years or 50,000 miles.

AdBlue from the active tank is delivered to the dosing valve and atomize into the exhaust system. Consistent distribution of AdBlue within the flow of exhaust is ensured by the SCR mixer. The ammonia generated in the hot exhaust flow subsequently acts as a reduction agent in the SCR catalyst and converts environmentally harmful nitric oxides into nitrogen and water vapor in a process referred to as a selective catalytic reaction (SCR). This process gives the special SCR catalyst its name.

The control of the SCR system is masterminded by BMW's powerful engine management computer. A nitric oxide sensor downstream of the SCR catalyst provides feedback on the concentration of NOX in the exhaust emissions.

Due to packaging limitations in certain vehicles, the position and location of the AdBlue tank may be varied from one vehicle model to the other. In the BMW 335d, the active and passive tank are at the rear end of the car, while in the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the active tank is housed in the front right section of the engine compartment, and the passive tank is under-floor next to the transmission."

So it appears that I remembered the tank sizes incorrectly. The total capacity is more like 6 gals, split between the small tank (1.6 gal) and the larger tank (4.5 gal).

I'm guessing it takes some fresh DEF to flush the system. So it would take more than 6.1 gals for a full service. This would explain the 6.5 gals on Craigs paper work. Or maybe they just rounded up to the nearest 1/2 gal.

Funf Dreisig