Adblue Additives – Snake Oil or Otherwise?

[Ayjay]

Knowing that I’ve had my share of Adblue issues (including recently, as reported at Post 74 here: Ad-Blue - 650 mile countdown comes and then goes off), a friend of mine sent me a link to a discussion on the California Forum on the subject which also mentioned using adblue additives and I therefore wondered if anybody on here had done so – TBH, I never even knew that such a thing existed until now. The posts that I read were talking about Wynns specifically but a quick google indicates that there’s a few similar products on the market. This is the Wynns one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wynns-Crys...s=wynns+adblue+additive&qid=1747645367&sr=8-6
A bit like those on fuel additives, I’m guessing that opinions will be split on this (reviews on Amazon certainly follow that pattern!) but wondered if there was any real world experience from users on here. With VW trying to fix my vans adblue problems via a software update last year and obviously failing as I had a recurrence a couple of weeks ago, I might be in the position where I will grasp at any straw available to me. We’re due to embark on a 6 week trip through Europe at the end of this month and I just know that Adblue will be at the back of my mind all the time. That said, if Imused an additive, I might also be worried about potential warranty issue if I wind up taking it back to VW.
Over to you.

 

[Sasquatch]

An additive for the additive?

The additive wont repair faailty compopnents. Unless your issues have been down to unwanted crystalisation then I can't see that it's liable to be of much help.

 

[Ayjay]

@Sasquatch - Unless I missed it, the advert does NOT claim to repair any faulty components. I'm a long, long way from having any expertise in this stuff but from what I can recall, crystallisation is often mentioned as a potential issue with adblue and if the Wynns stuff can really do anything about that, it might be worth the odd bottle. The real question is can it? Others opinions would be still be appreciated -but I'm still sceptical.

 

[Sasquatch]

Yes, it will reduce the tendency for crystals to form but, as aforementioned, unless the problems you've had thus far have been caused by unwanted crystal formation it is unlikely to be of any help.

We don't know the exact nature of the faults/problems you've suffered so far, so can't advise if it will/would have been likely to help.

It also won't undo any existing deposits, so if you are at the stage where such deposits are causing problems then it's too late.

But youd need to tell us the precise cause of the problem(s) you've been having before it can be determined if it will help. From what what I've read on this hallowed forum about adblue faults that have been accurately identified, such faults aremmost often a component failure, of which an additive would not have been any help.

On the other hand it's unlikely to do any harm, so if it'll help you sleep at night while you're away then go for it.

 

[Bluesman]

The above post reads more like a reply using Chat GPT or another AI tool.

 

[Sasquatch]

I've never used "AI" in my life, and intend never to do so.

You'd also hope AI could type better than I can.

 

[DaveD]

Others opinions would be still be appreciated -but I'm still sceptical.

I was sceptical about Wynns DPF cleaner fuel additive - until I tried in in a Nissan with a partially blocked DPF. It worked exactly as it said it would.
I know you're talking about a different problem, but my point is that Wynns is a reputable brand.
I'd give it a go.

 

[Craig T6]

Hello and apologies for detracting from original thread but didn’t know how to start a thread.

I’m away on holiday atm in Cornwall (300miles driven) and my EML came on . I asked a conversion company guy if he could check my fault codes using his VGDS system and come up with the following 3 faults (shortened text);
33262 Reductant system performance bank 1
P204F 00[0110] - malfunction

31103- SCR NOx catalyst bank 1
P2OEE 00[11101000] efficiency too low

30540-Throttle position sensor (G69)
P0121 00[00100000] implausible signal

The van seems to run ok. No issues with performance, fuel consumption etc.
I’ve read some threads about exhaust emissions and Dpf regens, AdBlu, topping up and the like but getting confused (no other warnings on dash at all other than the orange EML) as to what I should do, keep on holiday or get to VW garage asap?
Any suggestions would be appreciated…thanks