Silicon 'found in contaminated fuel tanks'

telegraph
The petrol contamination scare which has caused hundreds of cars in the South East to break down may be caused by silicon, it emerged today.

It is understood that the element - which should not be in petrol - has been detected in the fuel tanks of some of the affected vehicles. This may explain why they have been juddering and misfiring.

Testing agencies have not yet revealed in how many cars silicon has been found, or in what amounts. It is just one possible explanation for the contamination, the AA told Telegraph.co.uk.

Silicon has many industrial uses. In its basic form it is used in semi-conductors, and its compounds including silica are used to form glasses, cements, ceramics and lubricants.

Given the spread of petrol stations affected by the contaminated fuel, silicon would have to have entered the petrol at some point in the supply chain.

Motorists were today told to consider replacing the petrol in their tanks, even if they are unaffected by the contaminated fuel scare.

Ray Holloway, the director of the Peter Retailers’ Association, said drivers should think about getting fresh fuel even if their vehicle is not suffering any problems.

Trading standards officials are investigating complaints from hundreds of drivers who claim they have been sold contaminated fuel.

Many complain that their cars have juddered, misfired and suffered loss of power in the last week. Most complaints come from the south east of England.

Petrol retailers say they are baffled by the complaints. Levels of ethanol, the chemical added to petrol to make it less environmentally harmful, have been normal.

"Motorists who have not been affected could save themselves a bill by changing the petrol in their tanks. That would be my recommendation," Mr Holloway said.

The spotlight is on oxygen sensors in car exhausts that have failed in some vehicles, probably as a result of faulty petrol. As a result, engine management systems cut power to prevent further damage to the engine, allowing drivers to only "limp home".

Manufacturers are working flat out to provide replacement parts after garages ran out of stock as they struggle to cope with demand.

Many of the drivers who have complained said they bought petrol from Tesco and Morrisons. Both supermarkets said they had tested their stocks of unleaded fuel and not found any contamination or abnormalities.

Independent oil company Greenergy - which is part owned by Tesco - has tested fuel supplied to the supermarkets to see if it was faulty. A spokesman said "extensive" tests showed that it met industry standards.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders advised motorists to keep all their fuel receipts. If their vehicle is affected, they should contact their car dealer for advice.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said motorists affected by contaminated petrol may be able to claim for accidental damage if they have comprehensive cover. A spokesman urged all motorists to keep any evidence that they have purchased the allegedly contaminated petrol, such as receipts or other paperwork.

He said: "At the moment, it is still not clear where liability for this problem lies.

"Nevertheless, the insurance industry can provide this important reassurance to customers in the meantime that, provided they have comprehensive insurance, they need not lose out."

Adam Cracknell, of the RAC, warned drivers not to attempt siphoning petrol from their tanks. He said many modern engines hold the fuel under pressure and removing it should only be done by a mechanic.

"If you have a bucket full of contaminated fuel and it causes a fire then you may be in breach of your insurance and lose your house as well as your car," he said.

Tesco said the problems all appear to be linked to forecourts in the south east of the country served by a refinery in Essex. Asda, which does not get petrol from Greenergy, said it has received about 80 complaints from customers. A spokeswoman said checks have shown no problems with fuel on sale.