Contaminated Fuel In Melbourne

[FORCED F6]

Contaminate fuel suspected to have damaged cars across Melbourne

THOUSANDS of Victorians' cars have seized this week after a mystery fuel contamination.
The RACV and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce have reported cars needing urgent repairs for severely damaged engines, possibly as a result of contaminated fuel.
The source and type of contamination is still not known, but mechanics have reported most samples coming from small, unbranded fuel outlets.
RACV chief vehicle mechanic Michael Case urged all motorists to keep watch for signs of contaminated fuel when filling up at petrol stations.

Have you been affected or suspect you've bought contaminated fuel? Email us
Or phone our news desk on (03) 9292 1226

Vehicles that were running roughly, misfiring or were hard to start could be suffering from the fuel contamination, he said.
Motorists should look for a film of white powder on the exhaust pipe, an illuminated engine check light, a sickly sweet smell from the fuel and exhaust pipe, as well as white powder on spark plugs.
"If your vehicle shows any of these signs, stop driving immediately as continuing to drive the vehicle may result in extensive engine damage," Mr Case said.
Drivers have been advised to tow damaged cars to a qualified mechanic and ask for a fuel sample to be taken and analysed. Petrol stations where fuel was bought should also be contacted.
Melbourne fuel expert Ken Gracey, owner of Dyan Fuels, said he had never seen anything like the contaminated samples he had tested.
"Most petrol is a gold colour, this stuff is crystal clear," Mr Gracey said.
"Also, when I pulled the spark plugs out they looked like they had been dipped in talcum powder."
Mr Gracey had received calls from customers from most northern suburbs and some from the southeast.
Mobil service station spokesman Alan Bailey said it had received only a small number of calls.
"Based on the checks we have done to date we have no reason to suspect there is a widespread problem at Mobil," Mr Bailey said.
The VACC is believed to have met several Victorian mechanics on Wednesday night to discuss the issue.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/37751/me...aminated-fuel/

Melbourne: warning on contaminated fuel

The RACV and VACC have reported that thousands of Victorians’ cars have experienced engine trouble this week after a mystery fuel contamination.

Although the exact source of the contamination is as yet unknown several mechanics have reported samples from small, unbranded fuel outlets in Melbourne’s northern and south-eastern suburbs as being the culprit. As a result many cars have been sent for urgent repairs, some even reporting engine failure.

Although hard to detect, the contaminated fuel is clear (like water) in colour. Petrol usually has a gold tinge.

Signs of contaminated fuel include:

* Engine running rough or stalling
* Engine harder to start than usual
* Misfiring, pinging or backfiring
* “Engine check” light illuminated
* Sickly sweet smelling exhaust fumes
* White powdery residue in tail pipe and/or on spark plugs

If your vehicle shows any of these signs it is recommended you stop driving as soon as possible and get your car to a mechanic.

Updated:

The VACC have this afternoon issued a statement with the following advice to consumers who believe they have purchased faulty or sub-standard fuel:

* Seek advice as soon as possible from a qualified motor mechanic
* Advise the service station where you bought the fuel from that you have a problem
* Retain your proof of purchase, which may be a receipt or card transaction docket, identifying the time and date of purchase of fuel
* Ask the mechanic to collect a sample of the suspect fuel (approximately 2 litres if possible) and either the mechanic or the consumer should retain this sample until the issue is resolved
* Each consumer will have to decide whether to ask the mechanic to fix the problem or wait until the investigation of this matter has concluded
* If consumers need their motor vehicle immediately they might chose to request a mechanic to fix the problem and seek compensation from the fuel retailer
* Consumers may also contact Consumers Affairs Victoria on 1300 558 181 for further advice

[Teflon Turbo]

man that's stuffed!

so what's the go, use brand name servos?

[Drewie]

Any updates on this contaminated fuel, need to fill up this morning and not sure where to go, some reports are suggesting Mobil but have seen mention of Shell and Caltex as well, not sure what to believe.

[ED Classic]

I remember the last 1 about 5 years ago with both auto fuel and airplane fuel it was Mobil and a whole stack of light planes had to be grounded and the then ceo she was vigourously denying it. Ive never used it since so no probs for me thank god

[dom_105]

Most important thing that anybody in Melbourne can do is keep your receipts. What would be even better is if you keep your tax invoices for every purchase of fuel that you put in your car.

If you have problems, they will make themselves evident pretty quickly. If you keep those tax invoices, then you can track down what brand you got that bad batch of fuel from, and it will make it so much easier to get compensation from that company. Furthermore, it will make it much easier in any dealings with Consumer Affairs Victoria, if it gets to that stage.

Remember, this problem most likely is not going to be constrained to one outlet. If you drive around the city every day, stopping at BP, Caltex, Shell, Mobil, Woolworths and any other that you can care to mention, you are going to have trouble finding the source of your problem if you don't keep your receipts.

These companies have insurance arms/insurance policies that cover this stuff. They are not going to go out of their way to screw you, for want of keeping their name out of the bad press. There are two outlets in particular. that will become one soon, that would very much like to keep themselves in the ACCC's good books. But, it's going to be so much more difficult (however, not impossible) to rectify your problem with Company X, Company X's insurance arm/company, CAV and ACCC if you have no proof of purchase. I know I'm repeating myself, but keep those tax invoices for your fuel. Even if you don't do it for the tax man, do it for your benefit.

[Dauphin]

I filled up with United 98 on Tuesday and since then I've experienced about three unusually long cranking sessions to start. I'll keep an eye on it. Luckily I keep all my invoices for business tax purposes.

[Road_Warrior]

There was a thing on Today Tonight last night about this. Spark plugs were gunked up with some sort of freaky white residue - never seen anything like it myself.

First thing I thought when I saw it was Ethanol or Toluene as being the culprit but they said that their tests had ruled out Ethanol...

[Dauphin]

Conflicting reports re: United outlets. They officially say they do not have any contaminated fuel after testing their fuel supplies, but a customer has said her car's engine light came on and it wouldn't accellerate after filling up at United and driving away.

There is also mention of silicon oil being added to the contaminated petrol by mistake.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/com...63-661,00.html

[jaydee]

Look for a white residue on your tail pipe for a hint that somethings wrong.
I wouldn't be leaving it too long if I was experiencing problems, could be up for a new motor.

[FORCED F6]

Thanks for the heads up guys, never really thought about that part (keeping invoices for the unexpected to occur)... Although I only ever fill up at BP using 98oct

[FORCED F6]

Just wondering if anyone on here has experienced this disaster??? (although I hope not)

[Peter B - CV8]

Last I heard was that someone at Mobil incorrectly mixed in 30% ethanol into the low octane mix.

[FORCED F6]

You know, I wish they could be more specific in which areas exactly and which petrol stations were affected...

[Marduk]

Is this limited to just Regular or does this effect Premium Unleaded as well?

[gocruzin]

Isn't there ony two refineries in australia Mobil and Bp suply the other companies with fuel don't they?

[FORCED F6]

Originally Posted by gocruzin

Isn't there ony two refineries in australia Mobil and Bp suply the other companies with fuel don't they?

Well thats what I know also, and if thats the case are we talking about 50% of australia's fuel contaminated??? It did only mention Victoria so it is certain outlets/petrol stations using Mobil(suppliers)fuel and I would like to know which one does so we stop bloody using that specific petrol station (if its stopped otherwise, thats good)...

[just_pazz]

i thought shell had a refinery... i could be wrong though.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

There is also mention of silicon oil being added to the contaminated petrol by mistake.

Ch 10 News is saying RACV is saying this after they tested their fuel.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/391...rne-motorists/

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by just_pazz

i thought shell had a refinery... i could be wrong though.

you are right

the shell refinery is here in geelong or i am seeing things

[gocruzin]

Yeah your right Shell has one my brother just told me so its shell and mobil not bp
now im gonna have to google it

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by BAXR6BOSS

"Most petrol is a gold colour, this stuff is crystal clear," Mr Gracey said.

Hmm, I wonder how I find out what colour my LPG is ?

[BPXR6T]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I filled up with United 98 on Tuesday and since then I've experienced about three unusually long cranking sessions to start. I'll keep an eye on it. Luckily I keep all my invoices for business tax purposes.

I've experienced the same thing in the past few days but didn't think of it until I read you post. This evening I was cranking for over 30 seconds and this was after the car had been running for an hour. Got my fuel from the BP in Ballan on the Western Hwy.

[andrewts]

The only thing I have noticed tank before this one is really bad economy (only 275km to a tank) and a rough as guts idle. Filled up with a different brew and it seems like business as usual this week.

[iCat]

i was told that LPG was involved in the contamination too - can anyone confirm that? i haven't seen anything further about it though, so wonder if it was just scare mongering?

[gocruzin]

Nah mate it was silicon oil in petrol

[just_pazz]

yeah i've been hearing silicon oil aswell.

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by Marduk

Is this limited to just Regular or does this effect Premium Unleaded as well?

I believe BP ship Ultimate 98 over from WA, the rest comes from Mobil's Yarraville terminal. That's just what I have read and heard from people that should know, don't take that to the bank.

[dom_105]

Look for a white residue on your tail pipe for a hint that somethings wrong.

As well as on the spark plugs.

Could be worth a look.

[Dauphin]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

I've experienced the same thing in the past few days but didn't think of it until I read you post. This evening I was cranking for over 30 seconds and this was after the car had been running for an hour. Got my fuel from the BP in Ballan on the Western Hwy.

30 seconds sounds like a very long time. Mine were maybe 5 - 10 seconds max.

After my initial report, I haven't had a problem since that day. Car is performing as usual (power, economy, starting), think it was just coincidence.