[demon]

Guess with all the complaints just on this board it explains the back orders.
I have one on back order also, when I asked for an ETA, the SA just said he had no clue he has another one that has been on back order since June.

[taibanl]

Mine on BO since May

[Col Mustard]

The extended delay in replacing the tanks, and the VW scandal, will hopefully make BMW see this as a PR opportunity to show BMW's commitment to diesel technology.

Maybe (in my dreams) BMW does a complete recall on this defective part, and announces that they will be replacing them all for no charge. Ensuring that BMW diesels not only meet but exceed all CARB regulations for NOx emissions. Further, they warranty all alphabet soup parts for 100k miles

[PharmDemon]

Add one more to the post. Temperature sensor failure in DEF tank. Yes, they are on back order until mid-November. I hope there is a redesign on the new tanks.

[Hoooper]

My temperature sensor has been on the fritz for 2 years or so. They seem to be very sensitive. Mine will throw a code, get reset, and either come back in a couple days or a couple months.

[MD_335d]

Just posting another instance of the same issue 'cause I'm going through essentially the same thing...SES light at 53k, my fourth since buying the car in Jan. Previous time sounds just like SI B18 04 12 (work not done). Time before that they replaced passive? DEF tank under warranty. Current SES requires active? tank replacement, but I was told it is on backorder.

Does anyone have anything official saying the tank is being redesigned? Any notices, press clippings, TSBs?

[kbsilver]

I'm still trying to understand how it is my car is not using any DEF yet is not setting an SES light. I thought that was impossible, that the SCR system is monitored every which way. It's in the shop now and they said it's not asking for DEF because it does not need it, because they filled it and it only took 1 gallon. Using 1 gallon in 23K miles means my car is no better than a VW at this point. Told them to go back and look again. (or do I have the "special" programming and should leave it alone?!)

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

I'm still trying to understand how it is my car is not using any DEF yet is not setting an SES light. I thought that was impossible, that the SCR system is monitored every which way. It's in the shop now and they said it's not asking for DEF because it does not need it, because they filled it and it only took 1 gallon. Using 1 gallon in 23K miles means my car is no better than a VW at this point. Told them to go back and look again. (or do I have the "special" programming and should leave it alone?!)

Dpeends on your perspective: if you want more attention then talk to the epa. If you dont then just roll with it

[temporaptor]

There is definitely something strange about extremely low def usage and a ridiculous long back order on DEF tanks.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

I'm still trying to understand how it is my car is not using any DEF yet is not setting an SES light. I thought that was impossible, that the SCR system is monitored every which way. It's in the shop now and they said it's not asking for DEF because it does not need it, because they filled it and it only took 1 gallon. Using 1 gallon in 23K miles means my car is no better than a VW at this point. Told them to go back and look again. (or do I have the "special" programming and should leave it alone?!)

ditto...I have not filled my tank in ages.

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Depends on your perspective: if you want more attention then talk to the epa. If you dont then just roll with it

I'm perfectly fine with just rolling with it. As long as it does not bite me in the *ss at some point down the road when I am out of warranty.

I initially brought the car in for an SES. Turned out to be a bad #1 NOx sensor, which I was told is before the SCR system. That was promptly fixed.

[BB_cuda]

Correct, NOX #1 is in the back end of the DPF.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by temporaptor

There is definitely something strange about extremely low def usage and a ridiculous long back order on DEF tanks.

Hmmm

[temporaptor]

Hate to get the Gub-Mint involved but how long is too long to wait for a tank! 6 months? A year? Not a fan of CARB...Luckily my def tanks on my x5 have been trouble free soo far. In February before I sold my 335d to a friend the def tank was replaced. Must have been the last of the old style. I have another friend who needs a def tank and his smog check is due soon. Can't pass smog check with the light on and the dealer has told him they are back ordered. So far he's been in a loaner, waiting to see how BMW handles this, should get interesting.

[cptcrunch]

Had an SES light a few days ago for P205B, temperature sensor failure. This makes # 4 for me. I'm out of warranty now, but the last tank was replaced 16 months ago while the vehicle was under the original manufacturer warranty. At the time of replacement I was told it had a 2 year warranty so I'm taking it to the dealer to see what they say.

I can say that I too have not filled my urea tank in about 15,000 miles, which was when the last tank was replaced 16 months ago. Kinda weird, I've been expecting the low def fluid warning any time now.

Based on the comments in this thread, I may be waiting for a new tank. Question is, will my new tank be covered under warranty or not. I'm about done with the 335d, too many def tank replacements for my liking.

[dixy2k]

1) Would the sensor get unstuck if I refill the tank with water?

2) Would it pass CA smog check (no sniffing, only OBD2 check)?

[Yozh]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

1) Would the sensor get unstuck if I refill the tank with water?

2) Would it pass CA smog check (no sniffing, only OBD2 check)?

Why don't you try doing that? There are two drain caps under the transfer pump. Flush your tanks, fill with fresh urea and if the sensor acting up due to crystallization, you should be ok. Worth a try and does not cost anything except time.

[dixy2k]

We cannot afford to waste any water around here.

I never looked at the DEF tank before. In about 4 months I am due for a smog check and I have the feeling it won't pass if they look into this issue on the ECU.

I haven't added any DEF in over 19,000 miles. Something has to be wrong with it.

[Hoooper]

It wont pass smog with just water in the tank. You will get a code and a no start in 200 miles starting which of course will be associated with a code and failed obdII test. In theory using water should help unstick, unclog, etc any crystallization in the tank.

[dixy2k]

I didn't mean to run water instead of DEF. I was just curious if water inside the tank would help decrystalize the sensor and/or pump inside the tank.

At the moment I get no "no start in xxxx miles" message and it's been a long while since I filled it up.

Since we have no sniffing smog test in CA, I don't think it matters if I have water in the tank instead of DEF. My concern would be about the codes, as that's what the tech will look for.

It the tank is full of water or DEF, the sensor should be OK (I guess).


But I am not sure if the DEF codes will present an automatic test fail. That was my question actually.
I would flush it first if it cannot pass the test and refill with DEF. If all that fails, then I have no other choice but take it to the dealer for a tank replacement.

[Hoooper]

Any def related code is going to be an automatic fail

[kbsilver]

Guess I'll just be FDH (fat - dumb - happy). The dealer is now telling me using 1 gallon of DEF in 23K miles is normal, there is nothing wrong. This means the tank of DEF will last the life of the car. Interesting concept.