[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by bmw335diesel

The fluid itself is not that special. It is a highly concentrated solution of ammonia and water. With that in mind, flushing the DEF tank should be easy with distilled water, available at any grocery store.

You can buy the real stuff at autozone in 1 gal or 2.5 gal jugs for about $4.50 a gallon. For the amount we use, really is not worth playing mad scientist.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

You can buy the real stuff at autozone in 1 gal or 2.5 gal jugs for about $4.50 a gallon. For the amount we use, really is not worth playing mad scientist.

And you can buy a long hose Kruse adapter large.volumes

[GreekboyD]

Where can one find the Kruse adapter? Will it fit the 335d for sure?

[kbsilver]

https://www.psedealerequipment.com/node/204917

$168, think I'll pass. Looks like the fitting off the $10 1/2 gallon bottle with a hose attached.

[GreekboyD]

Wow...that price is unreal!

[GreekboyD]

Is there any way we can check our urea level (and other things) like you see at the 3:15 mark of this video on the Touareg TDI?:

[Sweattdogg]

I had the 999 mile come up on mine recently. Went to my local VW dealer. Asked for the 1/2 gallon of urea. $8.50 later took it home. Using the instructions from this website you can reuse the tank. Basically it has a antiscrew thing at the bottom. All that is is some plastic that rotates one way. So you cut that 1/4 off section and boom you now have a 1/2 gallon container that can be used in definitely. As soon as I'm off maintenance I plan on refilling myself.

[GreekboyD]

Yep. Here in Canada the 1/2 gallon bottles go for $10.20 each. Just bought two of them at Don Valley VW near me to store until I see the light come on.

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

Yep. Here in Canada the 1/2 gallon bottles go for $10.20 each. Just bought two of them at Don Valley VW near me to store until I see the light come on.

I've mentioned this before but guess worth repeating. You really do not want to store DEF. It has a shelf life (the bottles are marked). Over time it will degrade and crystalize. You really want the freshest DEF you can get (just like milk) when you need it. I purchased a bottle (used right away) about 3 months ago and it's labeled as production date of 120414. Have to assume that's April 14, 2012.

If you are going to keep the bottle for reuse, don't forget to flush everything with water.

[GreekboyD]

Thanks for the info kbsilver. I'll most likely use them either way before the winter hits here.

[GreekboyD]

So I used the 1/2 gallon bottle into the active tank and it almost took it all. I then tried using another 1/2 gallon bottle into the passive tank and it took nothing at all.

Is this possible after 8,000 km (5,000 miles) since my urea was last filled?

I figured that both bottles would have easily been used up today.

[kbsilver]

Unless the passive tank has gone empty, the active tank will be kept almost full. Would not expect the active tank to take much unless the xxx miles to no start has been lit. If lit, the active will definately take the entire 1/2 gallon bottle. Car should use 1/2 gallon of DEF about every 1400-1500 miles. Also as mentioned before, to avoid having old DEF, best to let it run low as reasonably possible before refilling.

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

Unless the passive tank has gone empty, the active tank will be kept almost full. Would not expect the active tank to take much unless the xxx miles to no start has been lit. If lit, the active will definately take the entire 1/2 gallon bottle. Car should use 1/2 gallon of DEF about every 1400-1500 miles. Also as mentioned before, to avoid having old DEF, best to let it run low as reasonably possible before refilling.

Hmmm. So I've gone about 5,000 miles and all it took was almost the whole 1/2 gallon bottle in the active tank. I wonder why it never took anymore beyond that in the passive tank.

I should have used up about 1.5 - 2 gallons since my last urea top up.

[kbsilver]

I'd try the passive tank again. Sounds like that should have taken a gallon or so. It does seem that the orientation of the vent tube in the 1/2 gal bottle makes a difference in getting it going. As I recall worked best if the tube was on the top in the air space vs. below in the liquid. Also to get it to completely empty needed to tip the bottle up a little (neck is flexable enough).

[GreekboyD]

Thanks buddy. Will try that later.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

https://www.psedealerequipment.com/node/204917

$168, think I'll pass. Looks like the fitting off the $10 1/2 gallon bottle with a hose attached.

True. Perhaps try Benz or VW dealerships. Having the proper tool instead of a halfass setup would aid in resale. $150 from Kruse direct.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

So I used the 1/2 gallon bottle into the active tank and it almost took it all. I then tried using another 1/2 gallon bottle into the passive tank and it took nothing at all.

Is this possible after 8,000 km (5,000 miles) since my urea was last filled?

I figured that both bottles would have easily been used up today.

Sounds like youre having issues with trxfer pump. Either inop or lost prime.

[theskunk]

Sorry to revive an older thread, but I've a few questions that simply don't seem to be covered elsewhere (yes, I've searched, it isn't clear as far as I've found). Once I've done this I will post a write up (with pictures) to help out everybody else that can be stickied/easily searchable.

1) I bought bmw diesel DEF, as well as one of the VW cannisters. I popped off the side cover of my exhaust refil cap and have found two ports - I assume one is the active, one is the passive. Which should I target to refill? I put a half gallon in the lower one the day I got the 999 remaining warning just to get me through the week, however today I need to put more in to get things going.

2) Flushing - doesn't seem to be required, however when I was at bmw they suggested that I have them do it since its 'supposed to be flushed'. I asked them to check my service records, and it had never been flushed in the past, i questioned them on this and they didn't have much of an answer. If we can flush with distilled water, a) should we? b) once you put the water in, how do you get it back out?

3) If you spill this stuff, whats the best way to clean it off my garage floor? I did make a small-ish mess, and just hosed it off.

[montr]

Here is document about the DEF flushing

[DnA Diesel]

Originally Posted by theskunk

Sorry to revive an older thread, but I've a few questions that simply don't seem to be covered elsewhere (yes, I've searched, it isn't clear as far as I've found). Once I've done this I will post a write up (with pictures) to help out everybody else that can be stickied/easily searchable.

1) I bought bmw diesel DEF, as well as one of the VW cannisters. I popped off the side cover of my exhaust refil cap and have found two ports - I assume one is the active, one is the passive. Which should I target to refill? I put a half gallon in the lower one the day I got the 999 remaining warning just to get me through the week, however today I need to put more in to get things going.

2) Flushing - doesn't seem to be required, however when I was at bmw they suggested that I have them do it since its 'supposed to be flushed'. I asked them to check my service records, and it had never been flushed in the past, i questioned them on this and they didn't have much of an answer. If we can flush with distilled water, a) should we? b) once you put the water in, how do you get it back out?

3) If you spill this stuff, whats the best way to clean it off my garage floor? I did make a small-ish mess, and just hosed it off.

1) Fill the lower-right filler. That's the active tank. To reset the 999mi counter, you must pretty much fill it entirely to reset the limit switches that trigger the no-start counter. You can fill the upper-left port (passive/large tank), but it doesn't have a trap on the fill-pipe so it WILL burp some fluid back at you, no matter what.

2) No. No longer required. Frankly, if you're driving a fair bit, it should't be a problem having 'fresh' DEF in the tanks.

3) Plain water.

Cheers
D.