Have any of our travellers picked up bad fuel, ending up with major $$ spent in repairs?
What comeback do we have - if any?
How do you prove where it came from?
What sort of record taking do travellers do to record info on where fuel was purchased?
Would that info stand up in "court of law" if challenged?
Not that this is going to happen to Dunmowin Just wanted to put the question out there.
Cruising Granny said
09:57 PM Nov 11, 2010
All good so far in my travels. I'm diesel.
What about unleaded or other fuels?
blaze said
10:48 PM Nov 11, 2010
One of the tricks I use (deisel) is to fill at truck stops if possible, next is to find the busiest servo in town and the tidestneatest place I can find.
cheers
blaze
Blonderer said
11:01 PM Nov 11, 2010
Yes I agree, truck stops for diesel, the turnover is quicker. Also if u see a tanker filling up the underground tanks, drive on to next fuel stop. Was told all the c..p from bottom of tanks gets stirred up.. Then u receive it when u fill..
jimricho said
06:58 AM Nov 12, 2010
I wouldn't like your chances of any "comeback", could be very difficult to prove unless it affected a large number of customers. Stick to known fuel brand outlets rather than unknown cheapies.
Also avoid using jerry cans unless absolutely essential, even then make sure that the cans are very thoroughly cleaned out, buy the fuel at the last place you can before you need need it rather than before you leave home just to save a few miserable cents. Also completely fill the can (apart from a very small air space to allow for expansion) and don't use it until you can completely empty it, but then use it as soon as you can. This is to avoid condensation.
PS: I picked up some dirty fuel (unleaded) at Tobermorey Station (Plenty Hwy) several years ago. I suspect it may have been a wasp's nest in the nozzle. My current tug is fitted with a long range ("Longranger") fuel tank and I've found this a good investment.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 12th of November 2010 07:05:31 AM
stan747 said
12:21 PM Nov 12, 2010
Dirty fuel was a big problem in Africa. Used an old sock as a primary filter and drained any water from the fuel filter regularly. Always carried spare filters and never emtied the jerry cans completely, always crap in the bottom.
Happywanderer said
03:16 PM Nov 12, 2010
Never had a problem with dirty fuel but had a very strange occurrence a few years ago after filling up at a quiet service station on the outskirts of Rochester Vic. Was unleaded.
I was heading down to Geelong 3 hours away, filled up with unleaded and for the rest of the trip my petrol gauge went crazy, up and down that many times would have no idea just how much in the tank, down to empty when I had just filled it up etc. I watched it changing so many times on that trip I was real worried. The car still went well for the trip and has never done it again after or before.
Asked my son about it who thought I was crazy, that can't happen. Won't go back to that service station again though.
Blonderer said
03:34 PM Nov 12, 2010
Happywanderer wrote:
Never had a problem with dirty fuel but had a very strange occurrence a few years ago after filling up at a quiet service station on the outskirts of Rochester Vic. Was unleaded.
I was heading down to Geelong 3 hours away, filled up with unleaded and for the rest of the trip my petrol gauge went crazy, up and down that many times would have no idea just how much in the tank, down to empty when I had just filled it up etc. I watched it changing so many times on that trip I was real worried. The car still went well for the trip and has never done it again after or before.
Asked my son about it who thought I was crazy, that can't happen. Won't go back to that service station again though.
Remember Happywanderer, not to inhale the fumes as u fill... sorry just joking, couldn't resist...
Happywanderer said
03:39 PM Nov 12, 2010
Thanks Blonderer, will remember that next time, Haha!!
jandas fun said
03:39 PM Nov 12, 2010
That was funny Julie.
Johnw
jimricho said
05:35 PM Nov 12, 2010
stan747 wrote:
Dirty fuel was a big problem in Africa. Used an old sock as a primary filter and drained any water from the fuel filter regularly. Always carried spare filters and never emtied the jerry cans completely, always crap in the bottom.
I guess you had no choice but here in Oz if I was not confident in the cleanliness of the fuel container I would reconsider using that container.
Onedodger said
05:36 PM Nov 12, 2010
In our 3 trips around the block we have had the misfortune of getting contaminated diesel twice.
Both times I noticed a distinct drop off in power.
I run a CAV filter system and found that the filter was blocking up and starving the engine.
In other words doing it's job. As my Patrol is the old 4.2Td engine no harm was done to the motor except that both tanks of 90ltrs had to be emptied and flushed.
As they had bungs this was relatively easy but costly to have to refill again.
Rang the servo involved and was told to go suck eggs.
My main reason to tell them was to stop others having problems.
I told all travelers that I met over the next weeks to avoid this servo if they could.
As for recompense none was offered or in fact asked for.
So on the odd occasion it does happen so be wary.
I will never fill if the fuel supply tanker has just delivered and I know it.
Have any of our travellers picked up bad fuel, ending up with major $$ spent in repairs?
What comeback do we have - if any?
How do you prove where it came from?
What sort of record taking do travellers do to record info on where fuel was purchased?
Would that info stand up in "court of law" if challenged?
Not that this is going to happen to Dunmowin
Also avoid using jerry cans unless absolutely essential, even then make sure that the cans are very thoroughly cleaned out, buy the fuel at the last place you can before you need need it rather than before you leave home just to save a few miserable cents. Also completely fill the can (apart from a very small air space to allow for expansion) and don't use it until you can completely empty it, but then use it as soon as you can. This is to avoid condensation.
PS: I picked up some dirty fuel (unleaded) at Tobermorey Station (Plenty Hwy) several years ago. I suspect it may have been a wasp's nest in the nozzle. My current tug is fitted with a long range ("Longranger") fuel tank and I've found this a good investment.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 12th of November 2010 07:05:31 AM