Watch out for the rodents because replacement Adblue pipes are not available

[stephen A]

The warning light on my California told me that I should take the van in the garage. The diagnosis was that rodents had chewed through the adblue pipe and that the van can no longer be safely driven until this was replaced. As VW get these from Russia via the Ukraine they are not available and VW cannot give any information as to when they will become available. It is very sad to have paid over £70,000 for a van which is now off the road for an indeterminate period. I do not think that I shall be buying another German vehicle as as clearly Germany places too much reliance on Russia and not just for its gas.

 

[Velma's Dad]

The warning light on my California told me that I should take the van in the garage. The diagnosis was that rodents had chewed through the adblue pipe and that the van can no longer be safely driven until this was replaced. As VW get these from Russia via the Ukraine they are not available and VW cannot give any information as to when they will become available. It is very sad to have paid over £70,000 for a van which is now off the road for an indeterminate period. I do not think that I shall be buying another German vehicle as as clearly Germany places too much reliance on Russia and not just for its gas.

That's f-ing ridiculous. I would be taking the van to a sensible independent workshop (ie proper mechanics not parts-fitter monkeys) and asking them to find a suitable length of piping to cut and fit.

Good grief how hard can it be? I bet it's just some flexible fuel-type hose and a couple of jubilee clips.

(You could always then have a genuine VW part re-fitted when it becomes available, although if it was me I don't think I'd bother, life's too short.)

[EDIT] Is it this bit? There you go.

Volkswagen Transporter T6 AdBlue FILLER PIPE 2019 P/N 7E0131965

Genuine Manufacturer Parts. Same day dispatch available if ordered before 4pm. Don't see what you're looking for? Call us directly on 028 8289 8371

vanbreakers.co.uk

 

[66tim99]

The warning light on my California told me that I should take the van in the garage. The diagnosis was that rodents had chewed through the adblue pipe and that the van can no longer be safely driven until this was replaced. As VW get these from Russia via the Ukraine they are not available and VW cannot give any information as to when they will become available. It is very sad to have paid over £70,000 for a van which is now off the road for an indeterminate period. I do not think that I shall be buying another German vehicle as as clearly Germany places too much reliance on Russia and not just for its gas.

Oh no, this is a disgrace. I have ranted on other threads about these newish, supposedly soy-based pipes that are attractive to rodents. My NOx sensor was munched and cost me £750. I complained to VW 'customer care', who sent on an email from my dealer saying it was a common problem and suggested a re-design. Despite that, and that I know SMG Tonbridge have repaired for free and fitted anti-rodent devices (see other thread) they refused to admit the problem or pay for the repair.
I have logged a complaint with the Motor Ombudsmen, who has accepted my case and is now allocating it.

 

[Californication69]

Why would you design something that’s attractive to rodents, outside on a vehicle. What a joke !

 

[flymartin]

The warning light on my California told me that I should take the van in the garage. The diagnosis was that rodents had chewed through the adblue pipe and that the van can no longer be safely driven until this was replaced. As VW get these from Russia via the Ukraine they are not available and VW cannot give any information as to when they will become available. It is very sad to have paid over £70,000 for a van which is now off the road for an indeterminate period. I do not think that I shall be buying another German vehicle as as clearly Germany places too much reliance on Russia and not just for its gas.

This is crazy! Are they at least giving you a loan van for the duration? Surely the warranty obliges them to ensure you’re on the road in a reasonable time frame, even if the parts situation is not something they can quickly fix..

 

[andyinluton]

This is crazy! Are they at least giving you a loan van for the duration? Surely the warranty obliges them to ensure you’re on the road in a reasonable time frame, even if the parts situation is not something they can quickly fix..

It's nothing to do with a warranty claim so why should VW lend a van?
Could possibly be an insurance claim though.

 

[California Rob]

how about looking for a salvaged vw transporter on the net there must be plenty out there and get the pipe from them.

 

[sidepod]

I never new Poland was in Ukraine?

 

[sidepod]

Ad Blue is pig wee wee isn’t it? Is it that that’s attractive to the rodents?

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Ad Blue is pig wee wee isn’t it? Is it that that’s attractive to the rodents?

They’re quite partial to the oil in the roof hydraulic system too.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Does anyone know what VW's "magic rodent spray" contains and if it is actually effective?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Does anyone know what VW's "magic rodent spray" contains and if it is actually effective?

Cats tears

 

[flymartin]

It's nothing to do with a warranty claim so why should VW lend a van?
Could possibly be an insurance claim though.

Oh yeah. Duh.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Interesting - I hadn't thought about insurance as a route, but assuming it's covered, might an insurer reasonably assume it's likely to recur and therefore hike your premium accordingly?

 

[stephen A]

Thanks for the comments for the comments. The best guess is that this was done by foxes sharpening their teeth (my silly next door neighbour feeds the local vermin) or mice

Looking into the possibility of getting the part from a salvaged van at the moment

Will be taking a taking a van to a independent garage to see if they can make something up

Had considered the insurance route which is still a possibility as a last resort

The van is out of warranty

I will post if I can solve the problem

 

[stephen A]

Oh no, this is a disgrace. I have ranted on other threads about these newish, supposedly soy-based pipes that are attractive to rodents. My NOx sensor was munched and cost me £750. I complained to VW 'customer care', who sent on an email from my dealer saying it was a common problem and suggested a re-design. Despite that, and that I know SMG Tonbridge have repaired for free and fitted anti-rodent devices (see other thread) they refused to admit the problem or pay for the repair.
I have logged a complaint with the Motor Ombudsmen, who has accepted my case and is now allocating it.

Did they replace the pipe or could they repair it?

When I took the van in I was told there was the spray that could be used or a Device ( costing about £300) that could be fitted which would give an electric shock to the rodent -to deter it.

I like the idea of the motor ombudsman because if nothing else it might wake VW up it might wake VW up to the problem that they are happy to ignore.

 

[stephen A]

That's f-ing ridiculous. I would be taking the van to a sensible independent workshop (ie proper mechanics not parts-fitter monkeys) and asking them to find a suitable length of piping to cut and fit.

Good grief how hard can it be? I bet it's just some flexible fuel-type hose and a couple of jubilee clips.

(You could always then have a genuine VW part re-fitted when it becomes available, although if it was me I don't think I'd bother, life's too short.)

[EDIT] Is it this bit? There you go.

Volkswagen Transporter T6 AdBlue FILLER PIPE 2019 P/N 7E0131965

Genuine Manufacturer Parts. Same day dispatch available if ordered before 4pm. Don't see what you're looking for? Call us directly on 028 8289 8371

vanbreakers.co.uk

wrong part number the one i am looking for is 7LA131984H

 

[stephen A]

That's f-ing ridiculous. I would be taking the van to a sensible independent workshop (ie proper mechanics not parts-fitter monkeys) and asking them to find a suitable length of piping to cut and fit.

Good grief how hard can it be? I bet it's just some flexible fuel-type hose and a couple of jubilee clips.

(You could always then have a genuine VW part re-fitted when it becomes available, although if it was me I don't think I'd bother, life's too short.)

[EDIT] Is it this bit? There you go.

Volkswagen Transporter T6 AdBlue FILLER PIPE 2019 P/N 7E0131965

Genuine Manufacturer Parts. Same day dispatch available if ordered before 4pm. Don't see what you're looking for? Call us directly on 028 8289 8371

vanbreakers.co.uk

Thanks I have been in touch with them but it is the wrong part number the one I want is 7LA131984H

 

[andyinluton]

Thanks I have been in touch with them but it is the wrong part number the one I want is 7LA131984H

That part appears to be an electrical cable not a pipe? In which case any decent vehicle electrician should be able to repair fairly easily. A quick google shows a complete second hand cable available in Holland for 45 euros & its easily posted.

 

[California Rob]

I fitted a VW rodent device to my van last week.I’m lucky I have a mechanic friend and he let me use his ramp for a few hours. The one I have is battery operated so even easier to install. While I was underneath I taped up as much as I could with the rat repellant tape for good measure. Once you get the under tray off it’s easy enough.

 

[66tim99]

Did they replace the pipe or could they repair it?

When I took the van in I was told there was the spray that could be used or a Device ( costing about £300) that could be fitted which would give an electric shock to the rodent -to deter it.

I like the idea of the motor ombudsman because if nothing else it might wake VW up it might wake VW up to the problem that they are happy to ignore.

Yes SMG fitted one of those devices to a member on here’s van (seemingly free of charge) after a few rodent incidents.
They replaced my AdBlue pipe - VW don’t repair anything. They also took some delight in telling me I’d been lucky - they’ve seen £2,500 worth of damage on other 6.1’s! And then in the next breath he trotted out the ‘it’s not a common problem, and there’s no spec issue’ line, when his own service manager had emailed to say literally the opposite.
Thankfully I have that email for the ombudsman.

 

[Perfectos]

I would suggest you try another supplier / dealer

7LA131984H=

Supply line for reduction agent

Genuine Volkswagen group part,7LA131984H,7LA131984H,supply,line,for,reduction,agent,7la131984h

m.oemvwshop.com

 

[Perfectos]

Also second hand as @andyinluton said

Volkswagen Transporter Lines (miscellaneous) stock

Stock overview for 59 Used, New Volkswagen Transporter Lines (miscellaneous)

www.proxyparts.com

 

[RockinNRollin]

There seems to be loads of opinions and variations on what products to use to deter rodents/foxes etc but has anyone actually determined what is the most effective?

 

[Velma's Dad]

There seems to be loads of opinions and variations on what products to use to deter rodents/foxes etc but has anyone actually determined what is the most effective?

Rats: get a cat
Foxes: 12-bore

Sorry, obviously being flippant but I don't think you're going to find any really objective data from personal anecdotes. I wouldn't personally put much store by magic sprays and potions.

This any use?

https://www.rentokil.ie/blog/protect-your-car-from-rodent-damage/#:~:text=If%20rodents%20chew%20away%20the,simply%20be%20chewed%20away%20again!

Our van (2015 T5) has lived its life outdoors (mostly at the bottom of an old orchard) and so far no rodent issues - touch wood. All I can say is that we're always pretty careful not to leave food in the van, including crumbs etc in the cupboards. But we've probably just been lucky.