Quick Warning to all: Re Fuel

[bazookachicken]

Just thought I'd post a quick warning for everyone after an horendous night at work.
It is on the news at the moment and I'm sure with our cars love for super unleaded it won't affect many, but there appear to be major problems with a batch of contaminated fuel doing the rounds.
It seems that mainly tesco/esso and morrisons stores have been affected and mainly in the south of the country symptoms are misfires, engine warning lights and rought running in general (sounds like my old sierra!!). The advice from The AA is if you suspect you have recieved a tank of contaminated fuel you should try and keep any fuel / credit card reciepts and also get your vehicle to a garage or dealers and ask them to take a sample of the fuel for you.
And the official statement for the moment is.

"Although the petrol station that sold you the fuel may not be directly to blame, your contract is with them for selling the fuel and will be who you seek reimbursement/compensation from. Contact your local Trading Standards office for detailed advice as it is likely that they will be aware of other claims."

We litterally had hundreds of calls last night from people who had been affected I haven't had chance to see much on the news (being at work) but it seems like this may be a major problem. From what I've experienced tonight it seems only normal unleaded is affected but this may not be the case so just be careful for a few days and I'll try and update with any information we get in at work

[bazookachicken]

Latest from the bbc site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6406801.stm

[newsh]

Very interesting reading..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/6405973.stm

[alg]

Good old supermarket fuel. They will deny and deny anything is wrong with it. IIRC the issue of octane boosting with ethanol by Tesco has been the source of concern before wrt fuel system seals !!
Tesco are a real theat to consumer choice. I will drive miles to avoid using their stores, let alone their fuel.

[Jamo]

I've never used supermarket fuel, call me a snob I always use Shell fuel and BP at a push.

[PeteRR]

I could of almost written that myself too Jamo.

[Jas11n]

I thought I'd never say this, given the 93.3p a litre I have to pay, but thank god for V-Power.

Jas..

[mattnorgrove]

Is it only 95 ron thats affected then? If so i'm glad i only use 97...

[blown_vr6]

I've never used supermarket fuel, call me a snob I always use Shell fuel and BP at a push.

Supermarket fuel is nothing to do with it - Esso have been affected by the sounds of things.
Also the fuel that leaves Thurrock is sent to more than one retailer of fuel (i know thius for a fact!) so how can select fuelling stations be different?.
Ive also heard from a few people that Optimax additive is added to normal 95ron base stock fuel hence its fluctuations in perfomance at garages that dont sell alot - it goes off over time!.

Pete.

[Lloyd]

Interesting reading.... To be fair, I've been using 95% Tesco 99 RON fuel and my car seems to thrive on it : ) Certainly no problems so far - in fact the car drives really well on it....

I am worried though, as I use Tesco in Watford and Harfield for filling up - which is almost certainly supplied by the same depot as Cheshunt, which has had problems...

I personally, only visit Tesco for the 99RON fuel (avoid supermarkets, try to shop locally), as I like the fact that at least SOME of this 99 RON fuel is renewable....

[andrewd]

Heard on the radio news this morning that the fuel in question may have been supplied by Greenergy, and there was a suggestion that it may be to do with (bio?)ethanol additives. The problems seem to be due to O2 sensors (is this the same thing as a lamda sensor?) getting clogged up or coated ...

Sticking with Manchester supplied V-Power for my trip down South this weekend. Wonder if I can make a tank last 480 miles?

[PeteRR]

The problems seem to be due to O2 sensors (is this the same thing as a lamda sensor?)

Yep, Thats the one Andrew. Mind you if the O2 sensor is being affected, it maybe doesn't sound too promising for any Catalysts that are fitted...

[Jamo]

Supermarket fuel is nothing to do with it - Esso have been affected by the sounds of things.
Also the fuel that leaves Thurrock is sent to more than one retailer of fuel (i know thius for a fact!) so how can select fuelling stations be different?.
Ive also heard from a few people that Optimax additive is added to normal 95ron base stock fuel hence its fluctuations in perfomance at garages that dont sell alot - it goes off over time!.

Pete.

The base fuel is the same but they all add different additives to the fuel hence the difference in quality.

Shell use the best additives in fuel. Theres a post from a company that refurb injectors and they can tell what type and make of fuel you use in the car from the state of the injectors wth shell being the best for them.

Regarding Optimax that is correct but it doesn't apply to V-Power which has replaced Optimax as they dont use the same additive in it.

[blown_vr6]

V-Power is Optimax mate!
They have just brought us in line with the rest of Europe where its been called V-Power for a couple of years

[Fat Audi 80]

Have been using Tesco 99 for a over a year now and quite happy with it...

Did give it a miss last night though just in case