Adblue. Should he be afraid?
Modern diesel engines are equipped with SCR systems that require liquid AdBlue additive. There are a lot of bad things about him. We explain whether this is really an evil invented by environmentalists, or you can make friends with him.
The era of low-maintenance diesel engines is over. Today, simple and uncomplicated diesels are no longer produced because the exhaust gases they produced were extremely toxic. In recent years, there has been a need for SCR systems that require a liquid additive called AdBlue. This further increases the cost of using such a vehicle, the only question is how much?
What is AdBlue?
AdBlue is the common name used to refer to a standardized 32,5% aqueous solution of urea. The name belongs to the German VDA and can only be used by licensed manufacturers. The common name for this solution is DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), which loosely translates as a liquid for exhaust systems of diesel engines. Other names found on the market include AdBlue DEF, Noxy AdBlue, AUS 32 or ARLA 32.
The solution itself, as a simple chemical, is not patented and is produced by many manufacturers. Produced by mixing two components: urea granules with distilled water. So, when buying a solution with a different name, we can not worry that we will receive a defective product. You just need to check the percentage of urea in the water. AdBlue has no additives, is not adapted to the engines of a particular manufacturer, and can be purchased at any gas station or auto shop. AdBlue is also not corrosive, harmful, flammable or explosive. We can store it safely at home or in the car.
Why use it?
AdBlue (New Hampshire)3 i h2O) not a fuel additive, but a liquid injected into the exhaust system. There, mixing with exhaust gases, it enters the SCR catalyst, where it breaks down harmful NO particles.x for water (steam), nitrogen and carbon dioxide. SCR system can reduce NOx 80-90%.
How much does AdBlue cost?
AdBlue is generally considered to be an extremely expensive fluid. This is true, but only partly. Dealerships of some brands may require up to PLN 60-80 per liter of additive, which, with tanks sometimes over 20 liters, means significant costs. Branded solutions with the logo of fuel companies cost about PLN 10-20/l, depending on the capacity of the package. At gas stations you will find dispensers in which a liter of additive already costs about PLN 2 / liter. The problem with them is that they are used to fill AdBlue in trucks, and there is clearly less filler in cars. If we decide to buy large containers of urea solution, the price can drop even below PLN XNUMX per liter – an incredible price range for exactly the same chemical composition! Buying huge containers of AdBlue with a capacity of several hundred liters is a decision that only entrepreneurs with a fairly large fleet of cars that need refueling should decide on.
How much additive does the engine consume?
AdBlue was first used in truck and tractor engine systems. For them, the liquid consumption is given at a level of 4 to 10% of the diesel fuel consumption. But these engines are much more stressed than those used in cars and delivery vans, so it can be assumed that AdBlue consumption should be about 5% of fuel consumption. Concern PSA reports for its new delivery car (Citroen Jumpy, Peugeot Expert, Toyota ProAce) that a 22,5-liter tank should be enough for 15. km of operation. Taking into account the mileage to the "reserve" at prices of about PLN 7-10 / l, the fare per kilometer increases by no more than PLN 1.
Where to buy AdBlue?
Due to the relatively low consumption of the additive, it is not worth investing in buying AdBlue in large containers. The reason is that the additive is not very stable and urea crystals are released over time. Therefore, it is better to add the supplement more often and in small portions. For this reason, it is better to buy the supplement in small packages. ASO has the most expensive ones, so it is better to avoid them. Fortunately, unlike the Eolys fluid used in PSA engines to clean diesel particulate filters, we can add AdBlue ourselves. The liquid inlet is usually located either near the filler neck (under one common damper), or in the trunk: under the lid or under the floor.
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Diesel cars tend to drive a lot and often, so the superstructure has to be refueled quite often. The optimal packaging will be with an additive of 5 to 10 liters, sometimes 30 liters. The problem is that the packages are not designed to be easily filled with liquid. If you want to level it up yourself, you must have a funnel. You can also use, for example, a windshield washer box with a narrow funnel, although these are not common. Before using such a jar, it should be thoroughly washed to remove the remnants of the previous liquid.
