Adblue tank leaks in 2012 BlueTEC
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
2012 W212 BlueTEC
Adblue tank leaks in 2012 BlueTEC
4k miles since my last service and I figured I would add a bit of DEF fluid to my vehicle.. I have no clue how long this has been an issue but what damage has potentially been done by the fact that there is zero DEF fluid in my car? I am currently under the CPO warranty; will Mercedes tell me that is "wear and tear?" Someone please steal my vehicle and roll it off a cliff.
Here's a video... pretty self-explanatory.
Here's a video... pretty self-explanatory.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
2011 E350 Bluetec
I think it's safe to say that your experience with MB is not a typical one. I am sincerely sorry you are having these problems but I know of no-one else having these kinds of issues - endless rattles and DEF leaking.
I'd strongly suggest you trade your vehicle in for something you would like more - rather than continue to be unhappy and tell us about it.
EDIT: looking at your other posts, I see that your car underwent a massive rear end accident with 24k in damage. How is this Mercedes-Benz fault? Don't you see that this massive accident might have caused a lot of your problems?
I'd strongly suggest you trade your vehicle in for something you would like more - rather than continue to be unhappy and tell us about it.
EDIT: looking at your other posts, I see that your car underwent a massive rear end accident with 24k in damage. How is this Mercedes-Benz fault? Don't you see that this massive accident might have caused a lot of your problems?
Last edited by resonator; Oct 23, 2015 at 11:16 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
Lexus LS 400, 2008 BMW 528i, 2014 e250 BlueTec
It is very unusual that you have the leak. Your car should be still under warrantee so I would take it to dealer. If you had rear end damage, it is possible the repair shop did not do proper job and missed it.
Last edited by Raymond Lee; Oct 23, 2015 at 08:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
2012 W212 BlueTEC
The accident was 45k miles ago.. The vehicle has passed every inspection since without issue (including a post-repair check by Allstate who had another repair company check the trunk deck, Adblue install, weld points, etc) and up until a month ago, when I last put fluid in, this issue never existed. There are plenty of potholes around where I live so it's more likely that a seal cracked on the tank as a result of vibration. I just spoke with Mercedes and they told me to stop driving the vehicle and wait for a tow truck to pick it up. I'm not going to give up just yet... I will ***** and moan till the wheels fall off! 
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
2011 E350 Bluetec
There's plenty of things that MB has not done well over the years and I'd be the first to admit that but, in your case, most of your ongoing problems are most likely caused by the considerable wreck you had
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
I can't say that I had any trouble with my (2011) Bluetec connected to emissions.My first (and only) "low fluid" warning came at about 11,000 miles which I handled myself.The next fill was at the "B" service,which the dealer did.IMO one might suspect that the accident is somehow involved with your situation.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
2012 W212 BlueTEC
I am an idiot. I didn't notice that the fluid was rising up around the funnel spout and then draining out the channel that diverts excess DEF fluid. I managed to call off the wrecker truck and service request before putting anyone out. On a bright note, I replaced the rear vent assembly and retractable 12v outlet under it and now the rear is silent.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 20
From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
For reference, when the vehicle gets low on DEF, it will warn you via the instrument cluster. If you neglect to fill the DEF, it will give you a countdown from 10 starts, after which point the vehicle is disabled. There's no reason that you should have to top-up the DEF in between services as the tank is sized to match the service interval. You're really just wasting time (and adding weight).
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 32
From: California
2016 E 250 Bluetec
Well, you obviously had DEF in your tank because your vehicle would not run if it was empty. This is done to be in compliance with the EPA. DEF is actually a very simple formula but it is very unpleasant if you get it on your hands, and could cause blindness if not washed out quick enough. I have handled it and actually made the product at my company. I sell DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) to logistic companies, and as long as your DEF to water ratio is between 32.5% - 33.5% then it is fine to use. The DEF brand and AdBlue are both rated at these specs are basically the same formula, AdBlue is what Mercedes calls it matching their BlueTec technology. And on a side not, as soon as DEF evaporates it crystallizes and becomes white, so if you did have a leak you would spot it right away.
Tractor / trailers burn about 1 gallon of DEF for every 150 gallons of diesel fuel consumed. So, in a 2.1L 4 cylinder diesel engine, the DEF will last you for a long time. I haven't really looked at the size of the tank but i would imagine it would be around 10 gallons. I have read that the intervals are spaced so the dealer or whoever changes your oil tops off the DEF. So there should never be a need to tend to the DEF tank.
Tractor / trailers burn about 1 gallon of DEF for every 150 gallons of diesel fuel consumed. So, in a 2.1L 4 cylinder diesel engine, the DEF will last you for a long time. I haven't really looked at the size of the tank but i would imagine it would be around 10 gallons. I have read that the intervals are spaced so the dealer or whoever changes your oil tops off the DEF. So there should never be a need to tend to the DEF tank.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 507
Likes: 16
'11 E350BTC P2 Leather
So when you change the oil, fill the tank, and you'll never run low.
I buy the 2.5 gallon DEF at my local auto parts store for like $12, and have never had to put in more than two of them.
You can look under my old posts and see how I fill the tank.
