Contaminated Diesel at Tesco

Taffy7hfa

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A SUPERMARKET chain has admitted selling contaminated diesel fuel at a filling station.


Last week customers at a Tesco superstore in Warndon, Worcester, complained of car trouble after filling their tanks.

The supermarket initially said that it would carry out tests, but said it did not believe the diesel to be of a poor standard.

But now, the Worcester News reports the company has admitted finding water in one of the storage tanks at the superstore in Mill Wood Drive.

Customer Richard Davey said Tesco had contacted his insurer admitting liability for the damage to his Ford Focus.

He said: “I filled it up at the Warndon store on November 20, and I know of at least five other people who had the same problem. I’m sure there will be a lot more out there, and some of them perhaps don’t know yet why their cars went wrong.”

Mr Davey, who works for Wychavon District Council, said: “They have agreed to pay nearly, £2,200, which covers the cost of the repair work, and I also hope to get the cost of the fuel back, and the cost of recovering my car, which was £90.”

The problem was originally reported to the Worcester News by driver Laura Yeomans, who said: “I filled my car up on November 28 with diesel and got the fuel filter warning light.

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Gazwould

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Beer and lager watered down , whatever next...
 

Chrishazle

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I've used almost nothing but Tesco standard diesel from our local Tesco in the 6 1/2 years I've had my S204 C220, and for the year or more before that when we had our C270 S203. Touch wood never had a problem, and cars have run fine. Don't blame Tesco necessarily, or fuel the "supermarket fuel is crap" discussion, unless you know for certain that the supermarket is at fault rather than the people that fill the tanker and supply to the fuel station.
 

Uncle Benz

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They were in trouble a few years ago with their petrol. I believe it was blended with some solvents that had been used to wash printed circuit boards. The result was a lot of "poisoned" lambda sensors. I replaced a dozen or so for customers affected, and Tesco paid all the bills with a receipt for the fuel as evidence. I think in a couple of cases they asked for the old lambda sensors too. I'm sure that most of the time their fuel is fine, and very good value for money. Personally I fill my cars with premium brand fuel.
Tesco don't refine their own fuels, they come from a base stock provided by another manufacturer. The additive packs though are down to the specific brands, and Tesco will add their own bits and bobs in that regard.
 

L John

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The high volume of sales helps to keep the price down.

And the price is also set to encourage shoppers towards their stores.
Also, water in diesel is an error or poor drainage allowing water into the holding tank.
It's most certainly not intentional or turning a blind eye so it could have happened to a fuel specific branded company.
A problem, not a scandal in this case.
 

geraldrobins

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And the price is also set to encourage shoppers towards their stores.
Also, water in diesel is an error or poor drainage allowing water into the holding tank.
It's most certainly not intentional or turning a blind eye so it could have happened to a fuel specific branded company.
A problem, not a scandal in this case.

Agreed.
There is a branch of UPS near me and their vans fill up at our local Tesco every evening. I expect the fleet manager is satisfied with the quality of the fuel. Obviously vans are not as highly tuned as some diesel cars.
 

Blobcat

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They were in trouble a few years ago with their petrol. I believe it was blended with some solvents that had been used to wash printed circuit boards. The result was a lot of "poisoned" lambda sensors. I replaced a dozen or so for customers affected, and Tesco paid all the bills with a receipt for the fuel as evidence. I think in a couple of cases they asked for the old lambda sensors too. I'm sure that most of the time their fuel is fine, and very good value for money. Personally I fill my cars with premium brand fuel.
Tesco don't refine their own fuels, they come from a base stock provided by another manufacturer. The additive packs though are down to the specific brands, and Tesco will add their own bits and bobs in that regard.
I remember that as it coincided with the GTG we had at Mercedes Brooklands. IIRC at least a couple of members who attended the GTG had issues after filling at the local Tesco.
 

Frontstep

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They were in trouble a few years ago with their petrol. I believe it was blended with some solvents that had been used to wash printed circuit boards. The result was a lot of "poisoned" lambda sensors. I replaced a dozen or so for customers affected, and Tesco paid all the bills with a receipt for the fuel as evidence. I think in a couple of cases they asked for the old lambda sensors too. I'm sure that most of the time their fuel is fine, and very good value for money. Personally I fill my cars with premium brand fuel.
Tesco don't refine their own fuels, they come from a base stock provided by another manufacturer. The additive packs though are down to the specific brands, and Tesco will add their own bits and bobs in that regard.

Have you any links to the use of used solvents in petrol, sounds interesting.
 

400ixl

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The issue being referred to was actually a refinery issue and affected multiple brands. Tesco do not have their own blend of additives for normal fuels, they take the refinery standard.

Premium (so called) suppliers have equally had issues over the years either at a local forecourt or refinery level. So no less risk with them over the supermarkets. Issues are rare when you think of the amount pumped, but they can happen. Its how they deal with the issue thats important.
 

Gazwould

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Exactly the measure of any sales is the quality of aftersales .
 

Frontstep

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I was interested to know how used solvents could turn up at a refinery's and be added to the fuel.
Silicon used as an anti-foaming in petrol sounds a likely cock up.
 

rf065

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peternutkins

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I have used super market diesel ever since they started selling it and have never had a problem. I did many years ago, in the '70s in fact have a problem with my own diesel tank, diesel was cheap enough to buy it in bulk in those days. I had repeated breakdowns although it didn't do any permanent damage as they were old tech Perkins engines. I eventually found that the blanking plate bolted to the top of my tank didn't have a gasket underneath it!

Peter
 

LostKiwi

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First you never use a supermarket for fuel . Let this be a warning ./
Hmmm....would I prefer supermarket fuel with no additives or a premium brand that periodically changes its additive pack to burn out valves?
 


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