IDK, but they told me the tank and heater are a unit. You know there is a recall on this right? Free fix.

 

It is a common issue and it is replaced under extended warranty of emissions sys. Mine went bad 4 yrs after purchase on a 2012 TDI, I'm now waiting for the 2016 I just acquired on trade in for the 2012 to stop functioning sometime at about 30,000 miles. I have hoped they made improvements to the heater,but I have my doubts. It's no big deal to have dealer replace.

 

I remember when the court ordered that these systems be placed under an extended warranty.

I also remember before that, when VW would not cover these and charged many people to replace them when, in my opinion, they should have been covered as part of the emission warranty.

The original heater design was faulty since it was not sealed properly and the caustic urea would eventually kill the heater.

VW suddenly decided that if it was VW warranty money on the line, that a better designed part was needed. I think it was about a full year after the court decision that an upgraded heater was finally available. It should last the life of the vehicle and is what VW stocks and installs currently.

google.com/search?q=touareg+adblue+heater+failure

It is my opinion that if the court had not got involved, that the original faulty heater would be the only available option.

 

Mine was replaced under original warranty. A few years later in July 2018 I got a recall letter for the same part. 2009-2016 TDIs. The dealer wanted to replace the replacement. I declined. Why replace what is working? If it fails again, it's covered by the extended emissions warranty and by the recall.

 

To me, a better question is why not replace it at no cost to myself?

 

Does this have to fail to be replaced? I have had no warranty issues or anything else go wrong and I have only 30k to go before reaching ~120k when warranty expires, I plan to keep it for a long time after warranty period, so it would be nice if I were able to get the improved hardware.

 

I don't think you can expect VW to replace something under warranty that is working fine!

 

That is exactly what they wanted to do, because it is a recall/service campaign.

I declined because 1) I didn't want the hassle of leaving the car at the dealer 35 miles away for a day and 2) there is nothing wrong with the one I have. If it ever fails, it will get replaced under warranty.

If you had the dieselgate emissions recall repair done already, then the tank heater has already been replaced as part of that recall.

The July 2018 recall/service campaign letter (Subject: Emissions Service Action 26K2 - Reductive Agent Heating Element (AdBlue Heater) 2009-2016 Model Year Volkswagen Touareg with TDI (Diesel) Engine) states:

"This service action is fully independent of the approved emissions modification recall / Emissions Compliant Repair on your vehicle."

Failure causes a MIL. If the MIL is on, the car will not pass an emissions inspection.

 

I guess my original question is how does the replacement unit get replaced?


Does it come out from under the car or go in from the top?


I realize its replaced under recall warranty. However that wasn't my question.

 

I had mine done 30-60 days ago on my 2016 (at 3,500) miles.

Not positive, but I believe that it is done from above. IIRC, that is how the dealer service manager described the process.

 

I have a "new" 2016 and have had no recall from VW to have it replaced,so I guess I will wait to have it fail. Car has only 5500 miles so far. My 2012 heater failed at about 40,000 miles,so I expect it will fail in my 2016.

 

The replacement must take place from below. The suitcase muffler is dropped, the AdBlue tank is dropped, it is mounted under the trunk area above the muffler. Then the guts from the AdBlue tank are removed and the heater is replaced. The tank is re-installed (from below) and the muffler is re-installed. It's a 3 hour job, and not difficult when there's access to a lift . I think it would SUCK if you had to do it yourself on ramps and a creeper lying on your back.

If you had the dieselgate emissions recall repair done already, then the tank heater has already been replaced as part of that recall.

 

My Treg got a P229E emission code - Bank 2 NOx sensor - so we brought it to the dealer today, they told my wife there is a recall - Adblue Heater - and that they will replace it along with this repair - said it might take a couple days - wife got an Atlas loaner - interested to try that out - but anyway this is a 'RECALL' not a warranty. I was actually thrilled to have it done - as I am now over 90k - warrantied through ~120k - crossing fingers they will do a good job - this place has a pretty good rep.

So bottom line if you are approaching end off warranty - you can bring it in to have it done and not wait for it to break - i.e. past warranty period.

 

I had mine replaced under the recall. But I was curious of it goes I from the top or bottom due to some damage I found in the trunk area.

Also wondering if they ever put a gasket on the filler to keep it from sloshing everywhere when full.