While instances of dirty diesel causing serious damage to a vehicle in Australia is rare, it’s important to be prepared for the worst case scenario if you want to avoid a major repair bill.
Fuel cleanliness is one of the most important yet underappreciated components of a properly functioning vehicle – as it has the potential to influence the safety, performance, and reliability of a vehicle – especially when it comes to diesel vehicles.
Although instances of ‘dirty diesel’ causing serious harm to vehicles in Australia is rare, cases do happen. And when they do, unsuspecting motorists face a huge financial and emotional burden, forcing them to not only pay huge repair bills but also chase up service stations and insurance companies for compensation.
So, what exactly is dirty diesel? How does it get contaminated? And what can you do to protect your vehicle and wallet from the threat of contaminated fuel? Read on to find out.
What is dirty diesel?
The term ‘dirty diesel’ generally refers to diesel that has been contaminated after the fuel production process. Using dirty diesel can increase the risk of sludge, grime, and other harmful contaminants causing damage to the internal components of a vehicle.
How does diesel get contaminated?
Water
Diesel can become contaminated when water enters a diesel storage tank as a result of condensation, rainwater penetration, and absorption from the air.
The untreated water then promotes the microbial growth of bacteria, fungi, sludge, and other harmful molecules; rendering the fuel unusable, and increasing the risk of irreparable damage to the engine.
Faulty storage tanks
Diesel storage tanks that are unclean and prone to leakage can be a major cause of diesel contamination.
Aside from the previously mentioned water penetration, unclean storage tanks are more likely to contain harmful contaminants, such as excess lead, sulphur, and other harmful additives – with lead being a known pollutant, able to cause permanent damage to catalytic converters.
Prolonged storage period times
Most diesel fuel can only be stored for 6 to 12 months on average (at approximately 21 c°) before it must be discarded.
Although, under proper storage conditions with the right temperature and regular treatment, diesel can be safely stored for longer without fear of hydrolysis, microbial growth, or oxidisation.
If, however, old diesel is made available to unsuspecting customers, it can cause significant damage to diesel engines.
Only purchase diesel fuel from reputable service stations and always ask for a receipt upon completing the transaction.
What to do if your vehicle is affected by dirty diesel
If you notice any of the following symptoms soon after refuelling then you may have bought dirty fuel:
- Engine running rough or lacking in power/performance
- Engine harder to start than usual
- Misfiring, pinging, or backfiring
- “Engine check” light illuminated
The first step is to arrange an independent vehicle inspection with a reputable mechanic, who will test the quality of the fuel and assess the vehicle for dirty fuel-related damage.
If your local mechanic verifies that the cause of damage is due to the presence of dirty fuel, there are a number of steps you can take to submit a complaint to the service station in question and improve the odds of a successful outcome.
While the process of submitting a fuel-related complaint – be it through a state or territory authority – is different for each region, generally speaking, the following steps can help strengthen your case:
- Provide a written statement from a qualified mechanic, stating that the cause of the vehicle damage or malfunction is due to the presence of dirty or contaminated fuel
- Contact your insurer to determine whether you can make a claim to cover the cost of repairs
- Send a formal letter to the retailer in question to report the fuel contamination, propose a resolution, and demand a response within a set period of time. This correspondence is important, as it shows you have a formal track record of you submitting the complaint and seeking compensation.
- Obtain or retrieve a physical copy of the receipt providing where and when the fuel was purchased.
With this evidence on hand, you’ll greatly increase the odds of obtaining compensation to cover the cost of repairs as a result of buying dirty fuel from a service station.
How to minimise the risk of damage from dirty fuel
In the unlikely event of accidentally filling up with dirty fuel, there are steps you can take to help minimise the risk of damage to your vehicle, such as:
- Clean and replace your fuel filters
You can either do this yourself and follow the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual, or enlist the help of a qualified mechanic to do it while maintaining your regular service schedule.
The emptier your fuel tank is, the easier it is for dirt and sediment located at the bottom of the tank to get drawn into the gas pumps. Therefore, keep your fuel above near-empty levels at all times.
- Fill up at only reputable service stations
Service stations located in busy cities and metropolitan regions have a higher turnover rate of customers, and are more likely to be subject to random fuel quality inspection tests. As a result, their fuel is likely to be of higher quality as opposed to fuel provided at service stations in remote areas.
At Car Servicing & You we give you honest, reliable advice about what your car needs, and what it doesn’t. We have locations in Carnegie, Ormond and Keilor Park for your convenience. Book online today and we’ll take care of the rest.
