Need help! new 35D horrible Amonia smell!
 

My new 2009 X5 35d has a horrible amonia smell when your hard on the brakes or go over speed bumps, my dealer has no clue and can't replicate it on the rack so they cant find it. has anyone had this problem? what was the fix?

Sounds like an issue with the urea tanks. Maybe bad seal on the tank?

I took the cap off one of the urea tanks and it has that smell. Now, I think you have a problem with urea leaking. The other day, I thought it might be winshield washer fluid.

Let us know what the dealer finds... I don't have any smell at all...

Craig

Urea Tank? :dunno:
Excuse my ignorance but can someone explain what is it and where is located.
Never heard of that before.
Thanks.

To meet North American exhaust emissions laws on the new diesels introduced this year, BMW has moved to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce NOx. This system is known as Bluetec, or Adblue, or by other names depending on the manufacturer.

The system injects urea (made from uric acid, commonly cow urine) into the exhaust. The ammonia reacts with the NOX, and you end up with cleaner exhaust. The urea tank needs to be replenished, usually after 10,000 miles or so.

BMW diesels in other markets don't have the same emissions requirements (their regulations typically focus more on CO emissions than on NOx). So, this is a new system this year for diesels in the US and Canada. Not sure if it will be coming to Europe, but I expect so, just not sure when.

There have been reports of ammonia smell with the X5 diesel in North America. I suggested in an earlier thread (on another site) that it may be the urea tank or injection system malfunctioning. In normal operation, urea injection shouldn't cause an ammonia smell. It may just be new model introduction issues. I trust they will resolve it, but in the meantime it will be a pain (and a smell....)

Here is the other thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=338456

Maybe the thrill of all that torque made you wet your shorts? :dunno:

wow i never knew the 35d uses this "technology" :o

Not everyone is moving to SCR. Cummins, International, MAN and Scania are sticking with EGR for Euro 5 and EPA2010. Last I heard, CAT isn't doing any on-highway engines 2010 on forward.

Do the same emissions laws apply to off-road and stationary engines as on-highway?

Should be interesting to see how consumers react to SCR in the long-run.

:)

You are correct that Caterpillar is moving out of the on-highway engine business. It isn't just because of the increasing emissions rules though, it has more to do with the business model. As truck manufacturers develop their own engines, there are fewer choices in chassis for the Cat engines to be installed in.

We don't have the same emissions laws off-road as on-road, but still they are increasing every year. We will move to Tier 4 shortly. Marine engine emissions are another issue; there are different regulatory agencies depending on application.

I think SCR will become fairly commonplace. Most consumers won't think about it. Once it has been around for a few years, it will be reliable and invisible. The issue is that this year, introductory issues are a real concern. The basic BMW diesel engine is proven, but it is the electronics, add-ons, etc, that will cause potential issues. That will be compounded by the lack of trained diesel engine technicians in dealerships. Most diesel engine techs are used to older technology, in my experience.

Have heard through the grapevine that BMW has acknowledged the problem and is partnering with this firm to deploy a quick fix :

http://www.staydryproducts.com/

Sam