16 replies to this topic

[carbon]

I refilled with Shell V-Power 99-Octane earlier today, and within 2 miles the engine started pinking.

 

Has anyone else had problems recently?

[cal844]

Timing is out too much if it's long. My cars don't have this issue. Perhaps the fuel delivery guy has put the fuel into the wrong tank?

[maximas]

I get pinking if I put standard fuel in my modified pickup...if I put v power in its spot on...all depends on how your engine is set up I guess..

[carbon]

Timing is out too much if it's long. My cars don't have this issue. Perhaps the fuel delivery guy has put the fuel into the wrong tank?

I called the Shell petrol station and asked if there was any chance that standard 95 octane petrol had been put into the V-Power tank by mistake. They were adamant that this could never happen.

 

Until today it has been running happily on Shell V-Power for over 5 years, and I have not used anything else. Really annoying.

[Rorf]

Here in SA I do not put Shell in . Caltex, BP or Total for me

[carbon]

In the UK BP Ultimate is only 97 octane, you may get better stuff in SA?

 

The only two 'mainstream' suppliers of 99 octane fuel in these parts are Shell and Tesco. The Tesco fuel is good but has had a higher alcohols content than V-Power.

 

I'm hoping that Shell have not reformulated V-Power for the UK market, and this is just a supply glitch.

Edited by carbon, 26 May 2018 - 06:32 PM.

[Spider]

Carbon, over the past roughly 2 years, all our local refineries have shut down and now all our fuels are imported (from Singapore), though they say they blend them locally. It's dumb and it has left us (Australia) highly vulnerable, as we only have something like 16 to 20 days fuel in local storage at any one time. Sorry, getting off the track with that.

 

When our fuels were refined here, BP for one example would guarantee the Octane for 8 weeks from delivery. Now it's imported, they only guarantee it for 4 weeks. I think all suppliers are in a similar boat.

 

I've noticed that our fuels now go off very fast. Also, with the comparatively high price of the higher octane fuels, I suspect they have a much much lower turn over rate at the retailer. I say this as I've found most of the time, our 95 fuels last longer than our 98 fuels.

 

Also, I think you are on top of it, but in most parts of the world, including the UK, they do have Summer and Winter blends, though for the most part, I've not found this to be a noticeable issue.

[phillrulz]

must admit. i have once tried the tesco 99 momentum stuff. Car loves it as for the rubbers hoses etc. Very much doubt they like it. 

[nicklouse]

In the UK BP Ultimate is only 97 octane, you may get better stuff in SA?

 

The only two 'mainstream' suppliers of 99 octane fuel in these parts are Shell and Tesco. The Tesco fuel is good but has had a higher alcohols content than V-Power.

 

I'm hoping that Shell have not reformulated V-Power for the UK market, and this is just a supply glitch.

out here in Germany the Aral Ultimate (part of BP) is 102 Octane.

[carbon]

Carbon, over the past roughly 2 years, all our local refineries have shut down and now all our fuels are imported (from Singapore), though they say they blend them locally. It's dumb and it has left us (Australia) highly vulnerable, as we only have something like 16 to 20 days fuel in local storage at any one time. Sorry, getting off the track with that.

 

When our fuels were refined here, BP for one example would guarantee the Octane for 8 weeks from delivery. Now it's imported, they only guarantee it for 4 weeks. I think all suppliers are in a similar boat.

 

I've noticed that our fuels now go off very fast. Also, with the comparatively high price of the higher octane fuels, I suspect they have a much much lower turn over rate at the retailer. I say this as I've found most of the time, our 95 fuels last longer than our 98 fuels.

 

Also, I think you are on top of it, but in most parts of the world, including the UK, they do have Summer and Winter blends, though for the most part, I've not found this to be a noticeable issue.

Thanks Spider, we still have several refineries in UK but there is no guarantee that the fuel you buy at the pump is sourced locally. Typically the base fuel is supplied to a local facility where the suppliers additive pack is blended into the tanks (or tankers) prior to delivery to the filling station.

 

And yes, UK has summer and winter specs for vapour pressure, plus an intermediate spec for spring and autumn. But octane at the pump should always be to minimum specification throughout the year. If it is sold as 99 octane this is what should come out of the pump nozzle.

[phillrulz]

Carbon, over the past roughly 2 years, all our local refineries have shut down and now all our fuels are imported (from Singapore), though they say they blend them locally. It's dumb and it has left us (Australia) highly vulnerable, as we only have something like 16 to 20 days fuel in local storage at any one time. Sorry, getting off the track with that.

When our fuels were refined here, BP for one example would guarantee the Octane for 8 weeks from delivery. Now it's imported, they only guarantee it for 4 weeks. I think all suppliers are in a similar boat.

I've noticed that our fuels now go off very fast. Also, with the comparatively high price of the higher octane fuels, I suspect they have a much much lower turn over rate at the retailer. I say this as I've found most of the time, our 95 fuels last longer than our 98 fuels.

Also, I think you are on top of it, but in most parts of the world, including the UK, they do have Summer and Winter blends, though for the most part, I've not found this to be a noticeable issue.

Thanks Spider, we still have several refineries in UK but there is no guarantee that the fuel you buy at the pump is sourced locally. Typically the base fuel is supplied to a local facility where the suppliers additive pack is blended into the tanks (or tankers) prior to delivery to the filling station.

And yes, UK has summer and winter specs for vapour pressure, plus an intermediate spec for spring and autumn. But octane at the pump should always be to minimum specification throughout the year. If it is sold as 99 octane this is what should come out of the pump nozzle.

I've worked at the one in Southampton / Fawley. Takes longer to watch the safety videos / remove all prescription drugs lighters and mobile phones showing passports than it does to do the job. Let alone all petrol vehicles are banned from the site.

[Wiggy]

Ha LOL! I've worked there too. I can empathise.

Try nuclear power stations. Anyone would think there's lumps of Plutonium lying around.

I hope you're all wearing safety glasses out there whilst reading this ........ just in case........ not worth the risk........

[phillrulz]

Ha LOL! I've worked there too. I can empathise.

Try nuclear power stations. Anyone would think there's lumps of Plutonium lying around.

I hope you're all wearing safety glasses out there whilst reading this ........ just in case........ not worth the risk........

Fortunately haven't had any nuclear sites, had refineries , MOD sites and gas/solid fuel power stations

[Wiggy]

Sounds like we inhabit similar workplaces.

Crossrail? Just..... just don't.

[phillrulz]

Sounds like we inhabit similar workplaces.

Crossrail? Just..... just don't.

Nope, worked in Battesea ring main (Thames water) across the road from Tideway boring project. I do instrumentation for all the water companies

Edited by phillrulz, 27 May 2018 - 07:54 PM.