In the situation when the mileage of the vehicle is relatively small (below 120’000 .. 150’000 km), and the error messages regarding the performance of the NOx sensor are stored, but the error message 30E9 (E series)/180401 (F series) (regarding the aging of NOx catalytic converter) is not stored, we note, that the owner of the vehicle has two options:
a) install new Original NOx sensor;
b) install NOXEM.
Note: if the vehicle has experienced problems with the NOx sensor for a long while (5’000 km and more) and it has not been replaced immediately, we recommend installing NOXEM. While the NOx sensor was damaged, the NOx catalytic converter hasn’t had the necessary desulfation and regeneration sessions, and its performance is significantly lowered. The possibility that after replacing the NOx sensor, the MSD management system will detect decreased NOx catalytic converter performance and will record error message 30E9/180401 is very high, and it all makes the replaced Original NOx sensor useless.
If there are error messages regarding the performance of the NOx sensor and also the error message 30E9/180401 is stored, not depending on the mileage, the owner of the vehicle has the following options:
a) install new Original NOx sensor and new Original NOx catalytic converter;
b) install NOXEM (in this case, no replacement of NOx catalytic converter is required).
To make it easier for you to make a decision on which solution to choose, check the advantages/disadvantages of each option.
Original NOx sensor
Advantages:
a) allows to keep the construction of the vehicle exactly as it was intended by the manufacturer;
b) ensures a maximum low level of NOx in the exhaust – saves the environment.
Disadvantages:
a) the life-cycle of the sensor averagely is quite short – around 20’000 .. 50’000 km; unfortunately, also specific hidden defects are very common – they can appear even before reaching the average lifetime of the sensor;
b) if the NOx catalytic converter has decreased performance, even a perfectly performing NOx sensor will not help, and the error message 30E9/180401 will be recorded – it can happen every moment*;
c) even with the relatively good performance of NOx catalytic converter, if the mileage (average) is above 50’000 km, the desulfation and regeneration of NOx catalytic converter are quite frequent – it increases fuel consumption;
d) even in case of relatively good NOx catalytic converter performance, desulfation of it is required after each 1000 .. 1500 km (driving with speed at least 110km/h, at least 20 .. 30min). If these sessions are not performed in time, MSD records the error message 30EA (E series), turns off Stratified charge, and the engine has typical problems – increased fuel consumption, vibration, misfire, etc.
* if the error message 30E9/180401 is recorded, the only solution to restore normal performance is using the Original NOx sensor: replacement of the NOx catalytic converter (as mentioned above).
The average lifetime of the NOx catalytic converter is less than 100’000 km. Around 10 .. 15 % of all inspected vehicles, already after 100’000 km, had damaged NOx catalytic converter. Of course, there are also vehicles in which NOx catalytic converters perform well after 120’000 km, but this is a very small amount (one or two from several hundred). If the mileage of the vehicle is close to 150’000 km, we recommend installing NOXEM – if you choose to install an Original NOx sensor, MSD can detect the insufficient performance of the NOx catalytic converter and record the error message 30E9 at every moment, and it makes the new Original NOx sensor useless: Stratified charge will be prohibited, and the engine will suffer all problems described here.
If you are driving mostly long distances – long drives on the highway, the NOx catalytic converter will maintain the performance abilities for a longer time. If you are driving mostly short distances with low average speed (city mode) – unfortunately, this is a lousy mode for NOx catalytic converter.
NOXEM
Advantages:
a) ensures the correct performance of the engine independently of the performance of the expensive NOx catalytic converter (it can be even disassembled);
b) ensures additional fuel economy (desulfation and regeneration of NOx catalytic converter are performed as rare as possible);
c) independently from the real performance of the NOx catalytic converter (it can even be disassembled or replaced with a resonator), desulfation sessions are necessary after each 6000 .. 7000 km, additionally, it is possible to not perform them at all (for example, if the current region has no highways with a speed limit above 110 km/h) – after each 7000 .. 8000 km the coding of new NOx catalytic converter, using the computer, has to be performed (it takes about 5 minutes);
d) NOXEM is much more robust, its resource – much longer. In the case of the normally performing engine (without increased oil consumption), NOXEM will serve 300’000 km or even longer.
Disadvantages:
a) in several performance modes the amount of NOx will exceed standards, restricted in EURO 4/5.
Here, we have to add that if the engine performs correctly (Stratified charge mode), it has a much lower amount of CO and CH in the exhaust – that, in turn, is a contribution to the environment. More about this read in FAQ (Q/A No:5)
