Motorists are being told what to do if they’ve filled their vehicle with contaminated or incorrect fuel after a faulty petrol station pump caused breakdowns and car damage.
Experts at LeaseLoco.com are urging motorists to be aware of the common signs of fuel contamination and stop driving their vehicles immediately if they suspect their car has been filled with faulty fuel.
Petrol tanks can become contaminated by various factors, including bacteria, rust, dirt, and even condensation that mixes with the fuel.
Fuel contamination poses serious risks to cars, potentially causing engine damage, handling issues, and breakdowns.
To help motorists identify potential fuel contamination early, focus on common signs like sudden speed fluctuations, sputtering, failure to start, excessive exhaust smoke, a bad odour, and unusual fuel appearance in the tank.
Drivers who notice these symptoms after filling up should stop driving the vehicle immediately. This action helps them feel in control and reduces the risk of further damage.
When fuel contamination is suspected, the next step is to call breakdown assistance or specialised fuel services. This can help drain and clean fuel systems on-site, providing reassurance and support during a stressful situation.
If the contamination is not too severe, draining the tank and lines and flushing the system with fresh fuel will do. However, in more serious cases, parts of the fuel system may need to be replaced.
To help motorists feel confident about seeking compensation from the petrol station or their insurance provider, they should keep evidence such as fuel receipts, mechanic reports, and any incident-related communications or news stories.
Car owners may also accidentally use the wrong fuel type by filling a petrol car with diesel or vice versa, leading to contamination.
Putting diesel in a petrol car can clog injectors and filters, as diesel is thicker and burns differently.
Using petrol in a diesel engine is even more problematic, as it can deprive the engine of its essential lubrication, resulting in significant damage to the fuel pump and injectors.
After using the wrong fuel, drivers are urged to avoid starting the engine and call misfuel recovery assistance. This will prevent the wrong fuel from circulating through the system.
John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco.com said: “Fuel contamination can cause your vehicle to break down and lead to costly repairs depending on the severity of the damage.
“Some of the first signs that indicate you may have filled your car with contaminated fuel include loss of acceleration, engine sputtering, bad odour and blinking ‘check engine’ light.
“Inspecting the appearance of the fuel in the tank can also help identify contamination – fuel should look clear and bright, so if it appears dark, cloudy, and has a layer of sludge, it indicates possible contamination.
“If you notice any signs of contamination, it’s crucial to pull over immediately and avoid running the engine as this will circulate contaminated fuel through the system and may cause further damage.
“The quicker you respond to the initial symptoms, the easier and cheaper it will be to get the contaminated fuel out of the tank and fix any issues it may have caused.”
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