Laundered diesel, how to avoid.

SeanW

Hey;

I've read on this board that a lot of garages sell washed diesel under the guise of normal, full price fuel.

My current car, a diesel 99 Avensis, is something I consider to be a keeper, got just enough modern high tech systems (central locking, power steering etc) to be a comfortable, reliable cruising car, without all the B.S. like DPFs and DMFs that give modern car owners trouble. In short, I want to use it for as long as possible and plan to drive it until it is just plain old worn out and beyond repair.

Obviously, that time could come a lot sooner if I inadvertantly buy washed fuel from slimy garages, though I think I've been lucky enough so far, I was wondering is there any way to be sure (90%+ certain) of a garage before buying fuel at it? I think someone mentioned a while back that "large <some brand> filling stations are safe."

ian87

Good idea, too many horror stories out there..

Bigus

Yes a manufacturer warranty man told me to stay with branded garages that aren't franchised out, in other words the one's with the non local staff, and more importantly managers.
( no point in them buying washed diesel if they can't get there hands on the tightly controlled cAsh)

Also maxols that have the new quality assurance scheme, if they sell 10K litres through the pumps maxol have to have supplied 10 k litres, and they are audited on this.

Same for petrol btw it's becoming a big issue too.

CJhaughey

OP I have the same car and with the old 2C-TE engines there isn't that big a problem compared with the high pressure systems on modern diesels.
Yes its probably sub optimal but in terms of engine damage its unlikely compared with a D4D or newer.

Dr.Rieux

I'd stick with big branded stations personally. I usually buy all my petrol in the Texaco just off the tallaght exit of the M50. Used a cheaper station in athlone when I wasn't back in Dublin one weekend and my mpg dropped by 7 for that tank. So I wouldn't be too keen on using diesel from a similar station.