Crystallisation of AdBlue (UREA) – Why it's worth of taking care of SCR system in your car ?

 

What is AdBlue fluid and how it works ?

AdBlue is a widly accepted name of aqueous urea solution. AdBlue fluid (UREA) is a very simple recipe consisting a water (67,5%) and urea (32,5%). It is injected to the exhaust system, just before a catalytic converter. As soon as it gets to exhaust system, AdBlue turns into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Next it gets to an SCR catalytic converter where ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxides. Result of those two reactions are nitrogen and water vapor, which are harmless for people and the environment. In those conditions a lot of nitrogen oxides are being produced which are much more dangerous than carbon dioxide (it is highly carcinogenic). Those compounds cannot be filtered out in any way, that is why AdBlue additives have been used, thanks to which nitrogen oxides can be decomposed into harmless substances before they even leave the car's exhaust pipe. AdBlue fluid is used in all cars selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

Why AdBlue system can cause trouble ?

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, due to its aqueous recipe of water and UREA tend to freeze. System is protected from freezing thanks to it's heaters, but they are not active until the engine is started. We can start a car with frozen AdBlue fluid and the heaters will restore a proper state of aggregation, however, the crystallisation problem remains. During the thawing process in SCR system, urea crystals amass which may stuck in hoses or injectors. Crystallisation of AdBlue may cause a damage of AdBlue injection system (pump or injector) or cause an appear of P20E8 error. The diagnostic system interprets it as a fault and the engine goes into a fail-safe mode. It may be caused by driving for a long time with the frozen AdBlue fluid. Besides it urea gets a lower and lower concentration after every cycle of freezing and thawing. In addition, lower urea concentrations leads to freezing at higher and higher temperatures, which will make the engine unable to start.

Messages on dashboard and error codes in case
of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) fault

In case of any problem with a SCR system, a lot of messages or errors can appear, depends on the problem. This system consists many components, such as: AdBlue UREA tank, ECU control module, AdBlue UREA injector, nitrogen oxides (NOx) sensors or temperature sensors.

Here are some examples of messages or error codes in case of SCR system damage:

• P207F- Reductant quality - performance problem
• P20E8 - Reductant Pressure Too Low
• P20EE - SCR NOx Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1
• P2047 - Reductant Injection Valve Circuit
• Low AdBlue fluid may cause following messages:
  - Refill emissions additive: Starting prevented in [...]
  - Top up AdBlue: Starting impossible in [...]

The most important things to remember are: to:

• Regular AdBlue UREA fluid refill
• AdBlue filter replacement
• Protection of a car against temperature extremes such as -11°C or too high above +30°C

Engine can be started with AdBlue fluid frozen. The problem is in a heater which is not capable of heating fluid so quickly, because it is not resistant to high temperatures (these are more harmful than low). A good practice is to start engine and wait a few minutes before driving.

What happens if AdBlue fluid is not dispensed?

With higher mileage, problems with AdBlue fluid tank can occur caused by the crystallisation of urea, and their replacement is very expensive. Period that the fluid can remain in the tank should not exceed one year. Please note that AdBlue tank has to be filled regularly with a high quality fluid and the condition of our exhaust system should be examined. By using our antifreeze and anti-crystallisation additive, we minimize the risk of damaging the AdBlue pump, which requires the replacement of the entire AdBlue tank. The cost of purchasing an AdBlue tank with its replacement can even reach several thousand pounds.

How to prevent a crystallisation of AdBlue fluid?

Proffesional product of 3RG company has been made to eliminate the unreliability of the AdBlue fluid. It increases the service life of AdBlue fluid and prevents a crystallisation in SCR system which causes the system to clog.

Additive advantages:
- Prevents of crystallisation in SCR system
- Reduces nitric oxide emission (NOX)
- SCR remains like new
- Inhibits clogging of SCR catalytic converter
- Prevents higher fuel consumption.

Additive properties:
- Accelerates conversion of urea into ammonia
- Prevents crystallisation in -10°C temperatures
- Increases efficiency of SCR catalytic converter
- Extends service periods and SCR lifespan
- Precludes corrosion of exhaust system

This additive can be used in every Diesel engine with AdBlue system.

Additive can be used only in AdBlue tanks.

Capacity: 250ml

Proportion: 25ml for 10 AdBlue liters

With average AdBlue consumption of 1-2 liters1-2 L
Bottle lasts for: ~50 000 km

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