BMW X6 Won't Start: AdBlue Tank Mystery Needs Solving

I experienced something similar with my 2013 BMW X5 35d. Initially thought it was just low AdBlue, but turned out the dosing unit was faulty, preventing proper flow from the tank to the SCR system. Last time at the garage, they diagnosed a clogged line between the tank and dosing module, plus corrosion in the delivery unit. The symptoms were identical, car wouldn't start, warning lights all over the dash. They had to clean the entire AdBlue system and replace the dosing unit. It was quite a serious issue since the car is programmed to prevent starting when the AdBlue system isn't working properly, it's an emissions control thing. If your tank is actually empty, that's an easy fix. But given my experience, I'd recommend getting it properly diagnosed. The warning messages should tell you if it's just low fluid or a system malfunction. My understanding is these issues are fairly common on our diesel BMWs after about 150k km. Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the AdBlue system! That's really helpful. My situation sounds pretty similar to what you went through. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since they fixed it, or have you had any other AdBlue-related issues pop up? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and whether I should expect any follow-up problems with my X6. Thanks again!

Hey there! Glad I could help with my previous response. After seeing the mechanic, they found the exact issue, it was indeed the AdBlue system causing trouble. The repair cost me 250€ to fix the defective output line from the tank to the dosing unit. The good news is that since getting it fixed, my X5 has been running perfectly with no AdBlue problems whatsoever! It's been several months now, and the system's working just as it should. The warning lights are all gone, and the car starts without any issues. To be honest, I was worried it might be something more serious (and expensive), but it turned out to be a fairly straightforward fix. The mechanic mentioned these AdBlue system issues are quite common in our BMW diesels once they get some miles on them. Make sure whoever works on yours is familiar with BMW AdBlue systems, it makes a big difference. If your symptoms are similar to what I experienced, you're probably looking at a comparable repair cost. Let us know how it turns out with your X6!

Thanks for all the detailed info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were spot on about finding someone who knows BMW AdBlue systems. I found a different shop that specializes in European cars, and they totally sorted it out. Turns out my issue was pretty similar to yours, clogged lines and a faulty dosing unit. The bill came to about 300 for parts and labor, which wasn't as bad as I was expecting. They cleaned out the whole system and replaced the problematic parts. The car's running great now! Started right up with no warning lights. The mechanic walked me through everything they did and gave me some tips about maintaining the AdBlue system. Really glad I didn't go back to my old mechanic, these guys were much more knowledgeable and thorough. Thanks again for sharing your experience. It really helped me know what to expect and gave me confidence in getting it fixed properly!