Contaminated Fuel In Melbourne

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Contaminate fuel suspected to have damaged cars across Melbourne

THOUSANDS of Victorians' cars have seized this week after a mystery fuel contamination.
The RACV and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce have reported cars needing urgent repairs for severely damaged engines, possibly as a result of contaminated fuel.
The source and type of contamination is still not known, but mechanics have reported most samples coming from small, unbranded fuel outlets.
RACV chief vehicle mechanic Michael Case urged all motorists to keep watch for signs of contaminated fuel when filling up at petrol stations.

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Vehicles that were running roughly, misfiring or were hard to start could be suffering from the fuel contamination, he said.
Motorists should look for a film of white powder on the exhaust pipe, an illuminated engine check light, a sickly sweet smell from the fuel and exhaust pipe, as well as white powder on spark plugs.
"If your vehicle shows any of these signs, stop driving immediately as continuing to drive the vehicle may result in extensive engine damage," Mr Case said.
Drivers have been advised to tow damaged cars to a qualified mechanic and ask for a fuel sample to be taken and analysed. Petrol stations where fuel was bought should also be contacted.
Melbourne fuel expert Ken Gracey, owner of Dyan Fuels, said he had never seen anything like the contaminated samples he had tested.
"Most petrol is a gold colour, this stuff is crystal clear," Mr Gracey said.
"Also, when I pulled the spark plugs out they looked like they had been dipped in talcum powder."
Mr Gracey had received calls from customers from most northern suburbs and some from the southeast.
Mobil service station spokesman Alan Bailey said it had received only a small number of calls.
"Based on the checks we have done to date we have no reason to suspect there is a widespread problem at Mobil," Mr Bailey said.
The VACC is believed to have met several Victorian mechanics on Wednesday night to discuss the issue.