Tesco / Morrisons contaminated Petrol

[Goldfish11]

I have just seen on BBC 24 that Tesco and Morrisons in the South of England has got a batch of dodgy fuel. It seems cars are breaking down all over the place. It was reported that an MB Garage is unable to source the components because so many vehicles have broken down.

Is this just media hype or is it worth staying clear of Tesco and Morrisons fuel for a while?

Anyone know what is causing the problem?

Anyone broken down yet?

 

[BlackC55]

Petrol or diesel as Ive just filled the Caddy up with diesel at Tesco in Portsmouth.

 

[Goldfish11]

Petrol it seems. News 24 are being inundated with texts and emails. Vauxells (sorry for spelling) seem worst hit. I will switch on again in a minute but I am working at home so need to do something apart from watching News 24.

One chaps engine has blown up apparently!

If your vehicle starts coughing you will know what it is.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Information like this is quite rightly concerning, but without some honest facts on areas affected from Tesco it's a bit hard to judge what we should or shouldn't be using.

You would hope Tescos would close the pumps affected now they have realised.

 

[gina2201]

Blimey! I'm in the SouthWest, I hope we're ok, tend to fill up at Morrisons (cheaper and points!) Hope it's sorted soon!

I've tuned in to News24 too!!

 

[Rose Chap]

Another good reason not to use supermarket fuel.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Another good reason not to use supermarket fuel.

This is correct. Non supermarket forecourts are immune to problems like his.



I see what you mean, BBC News 24 are in a bit of a tizz about it.

 

[Goldfish11]

Oxygen Sensors are packing in and Tesco in meeting

BBC 24 update

BBC 24 says it is Oxygen sensors that are packing in and causing engines to shut down.

It seems this is now a national problem reports coming in from other areas of the country including Bradford.

Tesco is now in emergency meetings over this!

 

[BlackC55]

I had a customer once who filled up his S320CDI and drove it on to the motorway and it violently smoked and cut out. I found the cause to be a watery gunge in the tank from the fuel station. It was a mixture of 90%water and diesel and somthing else unidentified. It cost the fuel station best part of £5000.

The funny thing was that the next week the same bloke put £40's worth of petrol in his car and did similar damage again!!!! I did laugh.

I know the car still and look after it. It has nearly 200,000 miles on it now.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I have used Tesco 99 super from the same station since i have had the S4..I'm due a tankfull...........time to try out V-max until this blows over I think!

Now, have I enough to get to the nearest Shell station.......

 

[KillerHERTZ]

BBC NEWS LINK 'contaminated' fuel story

 

[Goldfish11]

Some chaps with a Mercedes has just contacted News 24 it is costing him £2000 to get it fixed! Ouch

 

[BTB 500]

This seems to happen quite a lot:

West Midlands, 2005:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4730853.stm

Wales, 2003:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/wales/2909259.stm

North East (Feb 10th):
http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2007/2/10/233777.html

Flintshire, 2003:
http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/WebCon...C9EA914DCA08155080256CFC003C2F64?opendocument

All involving Tesco.

 

[glojo]

Interesting story,
I wonder if we need to produce a receipt for proof of purchase? It sounds like it is unleaded, but will folks with diesels be claiming?

John

 

[Kompressor_Dude]

bugger! Just put thirty quids worth of petrol in the beast from Tesco in Southampton..... grrr

Better find that receipt just in case!!

Edit: how long would this take to become noticeable? Iv done about 15 problem free miles around town since filling up :S

 

[grober]

Lambda sensors are made either of Zirconium Dioxide Or Titanium Dioxide encased in a porous platinum sheathing. Common causes of failure are contamination from Lead, Phosphorous or Silicon or from overheating due to over fueling. Must be something pretty drastic to knock em out so rapidly as reported.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Ethanol is mentioned in the BBC report as the alleged contamination - " believe they may have been sold petrol containing ethanol".

Is bioethernol the same as ethanol?

The Greenerygy website which is the supplier of Tescos 99ron fuel clearly state the fuel includes bioethanol.

http://www.greenergy.com/products/99_octane.html

"We also typically include 5% bioethanol – a clean and pure ultra high-octane component which is also renewable to help cut greenhouse gas emissions."

 

[Rory]

It's funny, I never have a moments concern filling up my car with diesel from a supermarket - Sainsbury's is on my usual route out - yet I always put Shell or BP in our petrol cars.
I think that in my head I believe the C270CDi engine isn't that fussy, and would probably run on almost anything.

I notice that the BBC story BBC NEWS LINK says 'thousands affected' in a sub-heading but doesn't go on to expand on that.

 

[grober]

YES bioethanol is essentially the same as ethanol AKA Ethyl Alcohol. Added at low percentage levels should present no problems but higher concentrations may cause problems especially with fuel injection systems. The main problem with the fuel itself is getting rid of water in the ethanol which can cause problems. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel So go figure??

 

[BlackC55]

Within the 15 miles it would have shown up.