Any one had Bad fuel

itempany · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 01:12 AM

Has any one had issues with Bad fuel. 2 weeks ago I filled up with Bp Ultimate as usual, but used another Bp establishment in Cairns and have had issues ever since. Engine with a miss on highway speeds and not wanting to idle sometimes. Took cobra to mechanic yesterday and cleaned out carby, changed plugs and tuned motor. Was running better than normal till I arrived in home driveway and it was again idling rough. Left it till this morn and started to change filters and drain tank. Refilled tank this afternoon and seems to be a bit better after 20 km drive. Will see if it improves over next week or so.

beauies · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 02:27 AM

yeah there was a problem in sydney my tuner said, seems to have cleared up now down here.

stephen low · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 03:18 AM

Happened in my powerboat, found my fuel filter drowning in brown water and sludge.

Found that if I drove the boat at fairly high revs I'd loose power or even have the outboard stop. If I ran at a lower rate the thing would run pretty constantly.

Cleaned filter and tank and no hiccups the next time out even at full tilt.

My marine mechanic said that 70% of his engine work involved cleaning out crap fuel. It's more common than we think.

Mind you we have an independent at the end of the court and where I was filling the boat. No more fuel from this place.

gjkrv8 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 04:17 PM

I reckon I got some (bad fuel) the other day in my daily driver which is a 3.0L Subaru Liberty that has to have premium unleaded :-( . The thing would ping and carry on about 2000-2500RPM. Once I went through a whole tank and re-filled was fine. I am very sure I put PULP in it so I don't think i was a simple case of ULP v PULP etc. Cheers Gregg

damage · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 05:21 PM

You will find that any fuel that has any form of ethanol octane boost will be susceptible to absorbing water. Both methanol and ethanol are derived from the same source and both are hydroscopic which means as well as breaking down completely in water they will also suck water in from the atmosphere.

Unleaded fuel is hydroscopic because various hydrocarbons are added to enhance the octane.

Any fuel tank that is left for any extended period of time half empty will breath with atmosphere conditions and if the humidity is high as in Cairns then the continual exchange of air will lead to an increased water content into the fuel.

Easy way to stop this in both cars and boats when you put them away do it with a full tank of fuel and this removes the breathing room in the tank and decreases the chance of fuel contamination.

Of course this is all dependent on how well your local servo manages their tanks.

WardL · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2014, 10:58 PM

If you have a receipt for the gas, go back and ask for a refund. BP USA has a guarantee and suspect Down Under BP has one too. They should give you an 800 customer service number to call. They should refund you for the gas and any associated repairs. The receipt is mandatory. That's why I always keep a gasoline receipt. Good luck.....

itempany · #7 (**permalink**) 07-14-2014, 12:41 AM

waiting for sparkie to come.......stuff it I am going around the block to see if it is running better

itempany · #8 (**permalink**) 07-14-2014, 12:44 AM

Hey Damage
I have been driving the cobra several times a week, depending on shift I have been on. So I can knock out ...standing for any length of time. More likely the local servo's tanks.
Have spoken to a couple people and they have also had complaints about this particular servo and one went as far as to telling me which bowser to use and bowsers to not use at this servo.
Wish I had known before! I will keep a wide berth of that servo.
Took the cobra around the block today after warming it up and it seemed better. Will take it for a decent drive next day or so. Hanging around waiting for a sparkie this arvo.....and looks like it might rain any way

damage · #9 (**permalink**) 07-14-2014, 12:56 AM

crap servo then thats pretty easy to sort out future problems.

itempany · #10 (**permalink**) 07-15-2014, 02:43 AM

Took the cobra for a decent run and all seemed okay. Then I got too cocky and while passing a rice burner I got dirt under needle and seat and carby coughed and spluttered until I pulled over. Dammmmn! Limped home okay and will strip bowl off and see what comes out tonight or tomorrow.

hogster · #11 (**permalink**) 07-15-2014, 03:36 AM

Not in a cobra - but yes. Another services station that SHELL remain nameless. lol
Wrecked the fuel pump on my CRV. Was a lease vehicle so I could prove where and when I got fuel and odometer readings because I was logging it all.
Signed and indemnity that they SHELL not accept any responsibility for said damage that may or may not have been caused.....blah blah.
They paid for tow, repairs, and clean fuel at the end.