Ad Blue - use by date.

[Kev and Ju]

Just wondering how important it is to abide by the 'Use by' date when using Ad Blue and by using it approx 6 months out of date would it harm the engine?
If I only had a spot left I'd dispose of it and buy a new container but I've got quite a lot left so would like to use it if there was no risk of causing damage.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I have some in my on board blue tank that I put in some 12 plus months ago and due to lockdown haven't had the opportunity to top it up yet. I don't know how old it is and wasn't aware there was a use by date on it.

 

[Winger]

Does it pass through the engine
My understanding is that is added through the exhaust so unlikely to damage anything

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Ad Blu goes only into the exhaust, nowhere near the engine

 

[Kev and Ju]

Good point. It's definitely there to clean up the emissions so that makes sense but I'm not sure if out of date stuff could potentially mess up / gum up the injectors.

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[royw]

it crystalises I belive, In the USA on Touaregs there was a number of issues due to blockages.

 

[David and Sally]

Kev just drink it - so much better than Malbec!!!

That's my glass gone for a burton at the weekend then

 

[nicholsong]

So if you add some AdBlue to existing in tank how do you know the average use by date?

Whole system was designed for working trucks not MHs.

 

[TheBig1]

at the end of the day, it is only urine. Unless it is breaking down in the container, I can't see why not to use it. It's worse to leave the adblu system full and unused for months

 

[Ivory55]

Where I used to work the drivers had to take cans of ad blue with them if they was out all week as the boss wouldn’t pay for it in garages, so if they was running low towards the end of the week they just added more water to it to make it last till they got home.

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[tacr2man]

The problem arises with crystallization blocking the dosing pump , which will then put vehicle into restricted power mode . (Thats what it does on trucks) If it looks clear will probably be OK , its up to you , its not that expensive ?

 

[JohnJan]

As a side issue the "use by" is affected by the temperature it is stored in. It's in the smallest print imaginable on the label. The hotter the temp the shorter the usage.

 

[Garfields]

Originally it was supposed to last the millage between services ie at least 10,000 miles
and would be topped up at the service
No idea if any vehicles ever managed that

 

[Pausim]

It might possibly be the plastic container that gives rise to the use by date. I was puzzled by the use by date on my Efoy fuel. The supplier said it was because plastic containers very slowly break down and can eventually pollute the contents. Different contents but they both feed devices that rely on pure feeds and can be easily damaged by impurities.

 

[Spriddler]

It might possibly be the plastic container that gives rise to the use by date.

I was told that's the reason for 'Use by' dates on bottles of already million year old water.

.......but I'm not sure if out of date stuff could potentially mess up / gum up the injectors.

No. It doesn't get anywhere near the injectors which are inside the engine, not the zorst system.

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[David and Sally]

I was told that's the reason for 'Use by' dates on bottles of million year old water.

Yep. Millions of years filtering up through volcanic rocks and then fooked before 2021 cos of a plastic bottle???? Put in a glass one.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I solve the problem (I think) by topping up with draught ad-blue at the filling station... only buy what you need, and cheaper too.

 

[Ivory55]

I solve the problem (I think) by topping up with draught ad-blue at the filling station... only buy what you need, and cheaper too.

And only pay for what you actually need at that time

 

[nicholsong]

It might possibly be the plastic container that gives rise to the use by date. I was puzzled by the use by date on my Efoy fuel. The supplier said it was because plastic containers very slowly break down and can eventually pollute the contents. Different contents but they both feed devices that rely on pure feeds and can be easily damaged by impurities.

And the Marketing Director said 'Put it on plastic with use by date, then we can sell more'

Excellent idea said the Finance Director.

The Technical Director just groaned.

 

[Pausim]

And the Marketing Director said 'Put it on plastic with use by date, then we can sell more'

Excellent idea said the Finance Director.

The Technical Director just groaned.

Quite possible. However plastics do degrade as the plasticisers leach out with time, which is why plastic becomes brittle.

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[Jev88]

Adblue is basically demineralized water and cow piss (urea)..... It won't go off as far as I know.

 

[The Coops]

As above its basically piss, it may crystallise due to evaporation but just add water or urine! will be fine! In fact does anyone know the difference between cows piss and human piss? Or should we start collecting vegans piss? Over to you Dragons!

 

[mike mcglynn]

I think adblue is made from water and piggy piss, if you spill it on bodywork it stains and crystallises if you don’t wash it off pretty quick .

 

[Ivory55]

I think adblue is made from water and piggy piss, if you spill it on bodywork it stains and crystallises if you don’t wash it off pretty quick .

Yes you can see the stains on trucks adblue tanks etc..

 

[gus-lopez]

I was told that's the reason for 'Use by' dates on bottles of already million year old water.

Yes bottle degrades & pollutes the contents.

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[Camdoon]

New service station with adblue half way between Morrisons for Gas and Tesco for points and diesel. So end of tour visit hits all 3. Although Renault concept of warning you when adblue tank is half empty and can take 10L container is excellent as well.

 

[Theonlysue]

I read dont buy the add blue thats been inbthe sun on display. Buy where stored inside.

 

[Kev and Ju]

As a side issue the "use by" is affected by the temperature it is stored in. It's in the smallest print imaginable on the label. The hotter the temp the shorter the usage.

Its been kept in my very dark, cool outdoor tool store so should be OK.

I solve the problem (I think) by topping up with draught ad-blue at the filling station... only buy what you need, and cheaper too.

Way to go although I've never seen it on draught but actually have never really looked.

Thanks guys for enlightening me on this dark subject. For what it costs I'll responsibly dispose of the old stuff and buy new!

 

[Ironside]

Where I used to work we bought 1000ltr tubs and I had to do the safety data sheets, we where allowed to keep for 24 months before back loading all to do with container strength and breakdown.

 

[2657]

Urea is not urine, pigs piss, cow piss or any other sort, it is contained in urine but is an industrially produced chemical widely used in many applications, most notably fertilizers.

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