Possible Passive Tank Issue (Urea)

GreekboyD · 04-03-2013, 10:12 PM

Just got my oil change, fuel fuel filter change and urea refill at a buddy's shop tonight. The active tank filled up nicely but the passive tank took very little urea in, if any at all. We tried several times with no luck. Since he's a certified BMW tech, he hooked up his computer to my car and the software showed my active tank full and my passive tank at "49" which fell under the "low/empty" category.

He thinks it might be a clogged valve. I have no real urgency to look into this right now as I can't deal with the hassle of loaners from the dealer. He's looking to see if warranty will cover it and I'll go from there.

Anyone else encountered this yet?

Ron1n · 04-04-2013, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

Just got my oil change, fuel fuel filter change and urea refill at a buddy's shop tonight. The active tank filled up nicely but the passive tank took very little urea in, if any at all. We tried several times with no luck. Since he's a certified BMW tech, he hooked up his computer to my car and the software showed my active tank full and my passive tank at "49" which fell under the "low/empty" category.

He thinks it might be a clogged valve. I have no real urgency to look into this right now as I can't deal with the hassle of loaners from the dealer. He's looking to see if warranty will cover it and I'll go from there.

Anyone else encountered this yet?

Anything to do with emissions has a 7/70k warranty on it. You're fine if there's something wrong.

BMW_TECH · 04-05-2013, 01:37 AM

The vent has a tendency to become clogged. Lower the tank assembly and clean the vent of the dried urea.

Worst case scenario is that the tank would need to be replaced

135i_vs_ · 04-05-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

He thinks it might be a clogged valve.

What is the mileage on the car now?
If it is the vent clogged, I wonder how involved is it to get it cleaned out again...

GreekboyD · 04-05-2013, 12:36 PM

Sorry. Meant to say a clogged vent. Car has 31,000 kms on it and parts of the exhaust would need to be lowered in order to get to the urea tank area.

I'd say 2-3 hours of work.

taibanl · 04-08-2013, 09:17 PM

For more information see this attachment...

JonDiesel@ColemanAutobody · 07-01-2013, 03:35 PM

The unit has some good logic behind it... the 3 level indicators "full" "warning" and "empty" and when ive filled my urea ive had one tank take not a lot. For whatever reason im not sure but drive for awhile and see what happens. it might transfer more. Drive uphill too after filling the tank that will let the car know to indicate another tank evaluation (or sloshing as they call it)

rogerdiaz · 07-07-2013, 01:30 PM

Any input if its best to refill on an uphill vs downhill vs level incline?

rogerdiaz · 07-07-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW_TECH

The vent has a tendency to become clogged. Lower the tank assembly and clean the vent of the dried urea.

Worst case scenario is that the tank would need to be replaced

Any details on this procedure? is this a DIY or dealership work?

Thanks 82,000 miles on mine

cincy_335d · 07-30-2015, 09:22 PM

GreekBoyD, did you ever get this resolved? My passive tank won't take any fluid either. Active tank filled no problem, thankfully. I'm considering dropping the tank to have a look at the vent.

GreekboyD · 07-31-2015, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincy_335d

GreekBoyD, did you ever get this resolved? My passive tank won't take any fluid either. Active tank filled no problem, thankfully. I'm considering dropping the tank to have a look at the vent.

I strictly only used the active tank for DEF fluid. Did that for 2 years until I no longer needed that aspect of the car any longer.

cincy_335d · 07-31-2015, 08:55 AM

That's the best way to fix it. I'm still under cpo for the moment but I wasn't confident the dealership would fix it for me under the warranty. When I was there talking to them about it, they asked me questions about filling it properly and draining the fluid regularly. I said, couldn't fill it and you guys did all the maintenance before then.

GreekboyD · 07-31-2015, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincy_335d

That's the best way to fix it. I'm still under cpo for the moment but I wasn't confident the dealership would fix it for me under the warranty. When I was there talking to them about it, they asked me questions about filling it properly and draining the fluid regularly. I said, couldn't fill it and you guys did all the maintenance before then.

I'd get it replaced under warranty in your situation. I could have done likewise but couldn't be bothered with the downtime without the car, etc.

04-03-2013, 10:12 PM	#1
GreekboyD Brigadier General 411 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335d [8.00]	Possible Passive Tank Issue (Urea) Just got my oil change, fuel fuel filter change and urea refill at a buddy's shop tonight. The active tank filled up nicely but the passive tank took very little urea in, if any at all. We tried several times with no luck. Since he's a certified BMW tech, he hooked up his computer to my car and the software showed my active tank full and my passive tank at "49" which fell under the "low/empty" category. He thinks it might be a clogged valve. I have no real urgency to look into this right now as I can't deal with the hassle of loaners from the dealer. He's looking to see if warranty will cover it and I'll go from there. Anyone else encountered this yet?
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04-05-2013, 01:37 AM	#3
BMW_TECH New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	The vent has a tendency to become clogged. Lower the tank assembly and clean the vent of the dried urea. Worst case scenario is that the tank would need to be replaced
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04-05-2013, 12:36 PM	#5
GreekboyD Brigadier General 411 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335d [8.00]	Sorry. Meant to say a clogged vent. Car has 31,000 kms on it and parts of the exhaust would need to be lowered in order to get to the urea tank area. I'd say 2-3 hours of work.
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07-01-2013, 03:35 PM	#7
JonDiesel@ColemanAutobody Private First Class 14 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	The unit has some good logic behind it... the 3 level indicators "full" "warning" and "empty" and when ive filled my urea ive had one tank take not a lot. For whatever reason im not sure but drive for awhile and see what happens. it might transfer more. Drive uphill too after filling the tank that will let the car know to indicate another tank evaluation (or sloshing as they call it)
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07-07-2013, 01:30 PM	#8
rogerdiaz Captain 28 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	Any input if its best to refill on an uphill vs downhill vs level incline?
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07-30-2015, 09:22 PM	#10
cincy_335d New Member 5 Rep 14 Posts Drives: '11 335d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	GreekBoyD, did you ever get this resolved? My passive tank won't take any fluid either. Active tank filled no problem, thankfully. I'm considering dropping the tank to have a look at the vent.
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07-31-2015, 08:55 AM	#12
cincy_335d New Member 5 Rep 14 Posts Drives: '11 335d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	That's the best way to fix it. I'm still under cpo for the moment but I wasn't confident the dealership would fix it for me under the warranty. When I was there talking to them about it, they asked me questions about filling it properly and draining the fluid regularly. I said, couldn't fill it and you guys did all the maintenance before then.
	Appreciate 0 Quote