Contaminated fuel

Anyone got any idea if this dodgy fuel going round could cause problems with our bikes and what the implications would be?

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Anyone got any idea if this dodgy fuel going round could cause problems with our bikes and what the implications would be?

dodgy fuel?
not heard about this, do you know where NOT to get it. AS I ASSUME NOT ALL GARAGES ARE AFFECTED?

looks like it's just in south east england

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6405051.stm

Originally Posted by hovi5

dodgy fuel?
not heard about this, do you know where NOT to get it. AS I ASSUME NOT ALL GARAGES ARE AFFECTED?

It's been reported from Norwhich down to Brighton. Tesco and Morrison's and some others I believe. It's on the BBC news website. Some cars have had trouble with engine management lights and knackered lamba sensors. Something about ethanol I believe but can't really get to grips with it.

simple solution is not to buy the cheeper fuels in the first place, pay the extra 1p per ltr and get some decent stuff from Shell, BP, Esso etc!

i have never put supermarket fuel in my SV and never will. i only use the big companys fuel for my baby.

the wifes car and mine can have cheap fuel but not the bike, no way never!!

Just heard the same on the wireless. Tescos I've heard. I always fill up at Shell, They seem to be the cheapest and my SV Loves V POWER!

Originally Posted by neio79

simple solution is not to buy the cheeper fuels in the first place, pay the extra 1p per ltr and get some decent stuff from Shell, BP, Esso etc!

i have never put supermarket fuel in my SV and never will. i only use the big companys fuel for my baby.

the wifes car and mine can have cheap fuel but not the bike, no way never!!

i thought it was all the same stuff in a differant tin?

Originally Posted by hovi5

i thought it was all the same stuff in a differant tin?

I dont think it is, if some one knows for sure?

Cant see Shell or Esso letting a supermarket sell their optimax or energy at a lower price next door.

but i am happy to be told different if anyone knows?

Originally Posted by hovi5

i thought it was all the same stuff in a differant tin?

God I hope not....That would mean that I've been Shelling out extra for nothing!!!

Shelling out ....Sorry

[embee]

The ethanol issue sounds like a red herring to me.

"Petrol" is allowed (and has been for many years to my knowledge) to contain up to 5% ethanol (or similar oxygenated hydrocarbons). There's nothing in ethanol per se which will cause damage to catalysts or oxygen sensors.

The effect of ethanol is to increase the oxygen content of the mixture, so the feedback system should richen a little in order to compensate. It's possible that some vehicles engine management systems cannot cope with the range, though they ought to cope with 5% because the manufacturers should have calibrated them allowing for the possibility of the fuel containing this much oxygenate.

If there really is poisoning of sensors going on it sounds like metallic compounds, which would be very naughty.

Strange fuels do occasionally find their way into the EC, I was involved in a case many years ago with eastern bloc fuel getting into Austria and causing all sorts of hot fuel handling problems (vapour locking).