Thread: Bad Fuel

I have heard comments from a lot of people saying they wont ever fill up with diesel from woollies ever again... but i havent used it myself so cant really comment on it.

i mainly use shell product as it is convienient, but have used bp and caltex without problems or any noticeable difference in performance.

apart from that, no, not really, havent heard many at all complain about diesel in this little part of the world.

Originally posted by Noddy
Hi All

Just seeing whether anyone has been experiencing any bad fuel (in my case diesel) lately?

You might be able to put it down to the increased prices and also the increased competition from the shopper docket system?

It just grates with me at a time when we are paying more than ever for our diesel, we seem to be getting poorer quality fuel.

Finding my cars ping if I use "regular" petrol, noticably over the past 5 years. I agree with crook fuel but wouldn't suggest it's to do with competition. Just standard business these days, charge whatever the market will stand and return a less than adequate product.

Most fuel stations now due to supermarket discount don't have big enough tanks to satisfy demand up here. So occassionally us brand loyal people have no option but to stick competitiors stuff in or put off filling up until another day usually without the discount. No harm in others fuel but sure is a nuisance if the next station is across town and out of your way.

We never have paid much for fuel compared to Europe, our prices are pretty much USA based. If fuel hits $3 per litre, due to predicted demand for oil by 2007, to fill a family car tank (70L) it's going to cost $210, so the 150L in our four wheelers will cost...OUCH :!: Gas (LPG) won't be far behind in cost either. You can imagine how loud the Yanks (and us) will be screaming if that happens. Problem is we don't have any alternatives yet, hydrogen is a LONG way off in development so we might have to just pay the cost until we do. Probably only going to get worse in the mean time.

Woolies stick water in their fuel that's why people don't like it, understandably mostly from diesel owners.

You may be surprised to know that each state has only one major supplier/plant in place. ie here in WA it's BP. They then supply to all the other companys with reciprocal rights of supply from the other states (litre for litre). 8O If you don't believe me ring around. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]
In WA Gull is the only independent that has its own plant and are at the moment making claims that their Diesel is 50% cleaner than the competitors. I am looking into this and will report later. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
One of the biggest contaminators of fuel is filling up soon after the tanks have been topped up. This stirs up sludge from the bottom which goes straight into your tank when filling. Try and find out when your local station is supplied and only fill up the following day.
Cheers Tyrepower

I know Vic only has one supplier, but can't remember who it is now, anyone remember ?

Shell

Just been on the phone to a Gull Oil rep and it seems that QLD refinery is BP, NSW is mainly Caltex with a small Shell refinery, SA Import Mobil from Singapore, Vic is Shell, Tassie and NT sorry I didn't ask.
Gull in WA do some refining here, however also import from Singapore (Mobil).The story he told me is that by January 2006 all Diesel in Australia must only contain 50 parts/ million of Sulfer. At the moment its around 500 p/m. Europe is even lower than the 50p/m. Gull is supplying major contracts with the 50p/m fuel. and has a blend going to the public. Says it would be around 200-250p/m.
Bottom line, if you want the clean fuel in your Oiler buy Gull or Mobil. Claims it gives more power less smoke and less pollution.
I don't know how accurate this is, so if anyone has any other information please advise

as i understood it BP was already running low suphur in many areas thats why people were having problems with there fuel pumps, or was that just a short time trial?

I didn't think low sulfer levels would cause that sort of problem. I remember reading that one of the reason Australia don't get some of the better performing Diesel motors is because of the problems associated with the high sulfer diesel.