SEAT Alhambra AdBlue issues

tobdom

We have a 2015 SEAT Alhambra (2.0 TDI S, 140BHP). Bought by us as a used car 2.5 years ago, have put about 32,000km on it in that time (currently about 130k km total mileage).

In all that time, I have never given a second thought to AdBlue, even though I knew (in the back of my head) that it was in the car. That is to say, I have never seen any dash indicator about topping up, warnings etc. nothing, and have never topped it up!

Now, we have had an engine management light illuminated (all the time) for the last while and my local mechanic said that his diagnostics seems to indicate an issue with the AdBlue system, but no specifics. There is a specific indicator light on the dash which I believe is called the "Recharge AdBlue Warning Light", but this never lights up, not even when turning the ignition initially.

Based on that, I think maybe the AdBlue system was 'mapped out' of the car before it came to us - would anyone agree (based on above info)?

Given that I haven't topped-up AdBlue in 2.5 years and 32k km of motoring, I'm guessing the car is getting on fine without it, apart from this recent engine management light. Waiting for a response from the main dealer to get the car into them to check this current engine management light fault.....

Any helpful input appreciated!

Whocare

I think you better off finding a mechanic with better diagnostics which will tell him what wrong with it . There no point in mapping it can be fix small enough money (edit see your taking to dealer

tobdom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118525884#Comment_118525884

Thanks for the response. No, I'm thinking that it actually has already been mapped out. The dedicated dash indicator light never lights up, never has since we got her.

For sure the trip to the dealer should hopefully clear it all up.

Whocare

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526142#Comment_118526142

You could too ask on autostadt on Facebook for advice. And has been known of other members of group with Volkswagen diagnostic software help out people with car quick diagnostic scan

Toyotafanboi

Whag type of driving do you do mostly?

It's not unthinkable but is fairly unlikely that it's done 32k on a single tank of adblue.

They did have some adblue type issues mostly with the tank pumps and heaters, most of which were a bit dear when they went wrong. That being said, surely if it was mapped out, it'd ve very odd for the system to develop a fault.

My money is on something else wrong, even if thr adblue is mapped out.

tobdom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527361#Comment_118527361

Thanks for your input. I think what you say is likely, some other fault, as at this stage I cannot see how the AdBlue system wouldn't have been mapped out given my 'observations'. My mechanic mentioned some fault he was aware of with the heater in the AdBlue system alright, and he said it was an expensive fix, but as I said, his diagnostics reading was a bit ambiguous.

Driving would be a mix, local short runs, but plenty long spins too and generally fully loaded with kids and all that goes with that (so not very economical driving).

Will see what the dealer says, if they ever get back to me!

CoBo55

What’s the betting the dealer will want to reinstate the adblue system? If it’s driving ok with the light on I’d leave it alone. All dealers are any good for is throwing parts at it at your expense.

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118529859#Comment_118529859

Isn't an EML an NCT failure these days? That would have to be sorted before the next test is due..... AdBlue or no AdBlue.

Toyotafanboi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118529859#Comment_118529859

It's the right thing to do, not to bodge the car back together.

If you went to the doctor with a pain in your leg, would you be happy if he said it was easier to diagnose and cheaper to fix by chopping it off. Just work away on your other leg.

If the car was fixed properly the first time, OP wouldn't be in a situation now where old faults for a possibly mapped out system are mixed with new issues and people cant diagnose the car.

Now we're already not impressed with the main dealer because they cant diagnose it quickly while they are wading through someone else's half arsed repair.

I'm not saying reinstate the adblue system but if you're going to go removing and mapping out as it suits you, you need to have a good and regular mechanic who can work with the car in it's ever evolving state. Not take it one place for one bodge, one place for another then take it to the main dealer when and only when all the other doors have been closed on you.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530290#Comment_118530290

In the Op's defence he didn't disable the adblue in the first place, I don't know why you're quoting me tbh. Of course the dealer has seen that this was done and now wants to get a parts monkey to start throwing parts on to a 7 year old car in the hope it will put the light out.

MuttonDagger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118525884#Comment_118525884

Always seem to be a grand for a tank & pump ?

Whocare

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530290#Comment_118530290

Your like broken record on here always singing the praises of garages and mechanics comparing yourself to a doctor🤣 without doubt it bring you out in temper when you hear people working on their own cars ffs

Toyotafanboi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118532698#Comment_118532698

At least i do talk the odd bit of sense, unlike plenty on here, especially lately.

I'm not comparing myself to anything. Everyone on here is very quick to slate any form of workshop, main dealer, independent or otherwise.

I've said it a million times on here before, i'm in favour of good, realistic advice for people who come on here seeking it. What i hate seeing is naysayers and people putting ideas down.

People dont come on here seeking problems or the advice of hindsight merchants, they are looking for solutions and unfortunately, often is the case the best way is to take a pill, pony up and pay to have it fixed properly and put and end to things instead of following useless advice from people who havn't a clue what they are on about.

IMO generally the people who come in here posting advice threads know SFA about cars, which is absolutely fine but instead of asking them to follow a youtube video to test is there 3.51 gigawatts at the flux capacitor to try and convince yourself that you think you know something about cars, it's actually better advice to say find a good workshop, or to confirm the advice or quote that the workshop had given seems plausable.

In your first comment on thread you hadn't even read the OP properly so unless you have something useful to chip in maybe you should consider keeping a closer eye to your own posting sytle than mine?

tobdom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118529977#Comment_118529977

As far as I am aware it would be an NCT failure. Thankfully, most recent NCT was done in Sept 2021 before the EML came on (and stayed on).

If the dealer finds that the AdBlue system has actually been mapped out and they want to reinstate it, I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it, still waiting on their response to schedule an inspection.

Thanks for all the input. Will update here when I know more.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118535131#Comment_118535131

Don't take any guff from them.

tobdom

Just to provide an update.....

Car was inspected and there is some "field campaign" (recall) related to the AdBlue system that they are going to do (no charge). I'll be interested to see how that all pans out, assuming that the AdBlue system has actually been mapped out already.... lets see what happens.

In addition, they say the engine management light is as a result of 2 glow plugs that need to be replaced. Cost of €200 to supply & fit. I have no idea, is that reasonable or not for that job on an Alhambra. I can see from Google that to buy them, Glow Plugs range from 13 or 14 Eur up to 30 Eur a pop. Have no idea what the labour is like for that job on my car....

I'm not sure they meant to (because they said the glow plugs needed to be done to turn off the EML), but when I got in the car to drive away the EML stayed off! :-)

CoBo55

That's good news, personally I'd leave the adblue system alone. 200 would be a bit scaldy for supply and fit for 2 glow plugs, but at least you'd know it's sorted. There are plenty of videos showing how to change them but get one snapped off in the head and you're doomed. I'd pay the 200 and let them take the chance, in saying that the 2 litre VW engine is one of the less riskier engines but Murphy's law etc.