Contaminated Diesel -v- 08 Golf GT Sport TDi

[zydecat]

I guess this is a warning to anyone who may have the idea that cheap diesel is ever the way to go, particularly from independents. I thought I was safe as the place I was getting my fuel from was also a Truck Stop (the thinking being that the fuel is being refilled all the time, therefore fresh fuel).

My story begins on the Thursday evening before Easter (9 April 09, for those playing at home) - you know that day that everything closes down for 4 days? Driving home, the engine management system light came on and the engine started running pretty rough. I figured I'm only 2 mins away from home - I'll make it, and I did. But I didn't want to use the car til after I got it checked.

Tuesday after Easter I was able to call and book in for Wednesday at the dealer. Wednesday morning, in peak-hour traffic, at a set of lights, in the right hand turning lane, 1-2 minutes from the dealership and (get this) just under a billboard advertising the MkVI Golf - I broke down . Had to get towed about a kilometre... fun morning!

Anyway I figured it was probably something simple and I'd have the car back that night. No. The next night? No. Cutting to the chase - nearly 4 weeks later (today 11 May 09) the engine has been fixed (another glitch - they scratched it! So tonight when I went to pick it up, they've given me a loan car... I'll deal with it).

Apparently the cause of my engine problem was about 10-12 litres of an opaque blue/black liquid in the fuel tank that they no-one could identify. It was obviously something that floated on diesel, because that was all that was left in my tank (was about to refuel - ok easter weekend, not good timing, but anyway). I'm pretty sure it came from this independent service station (I wont name them - I read somewhere on here that you can have trouble with libel) - I pretty much only go to the same one all the time, at least the last few times for sure. Unfortunately I can't prove I got it from there - no receipts and I paid in cash the last couple of times... but that's another story...

A whole bunch of things had to be replaced and/or cleaned: Fuel tank and lines cleaned, fuel filter replaced, tandem pump (whatever that is) replaced, DPF (diesel particulate filter) replaced, EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve replaced, Oxygen sensor replaced, Injector Max service (didn't need replacement in the end) and I think they're giving the car a wash too

All in all this is costing over $7000 to fix! Luckily (and you may want to make note of this) it is covered as Accidental damage on my car insurance - sooo great to only have to pay $350 excess instead of a $7000 repair bill.

So after my experience, and reading a lot of other fuel related threads on here, I'm sticking to BP or Caltex, unless someone has a better idea? Also anyone else (particularly in Perth) experienced something similar in April - Let me know!

Just wanted to share my (long) story as a warning to those who enjoy driving their Diesel Golfs I know I do

[maca]

Wow thanks! I'm definately sticking with the big names (Even though I have a BP card anyways).. It's amazing how ignorant we can all be until a story like this comes along.

[mtj007]

Was this place south of the river? Run by an old guy who just does it for something to do?

I have never filled up there because I prefer to stay with the big names. Mum has filled her Passat there a couple of times which concerns me. Uncle usually fills his Land Cruiser there too.

The Passat seems to run fine and is extremely smooth no matter where it is filled up. My Golf on the other hand is picky, runs like crap when filled up at Caltex Woolworths South Lake. It is a completely different car now I use BP Ultimate Diesel.

Sucks to hear about your car.

[maca]

I use to fill up at Gumdale Fuels (an independant store) when I had my old Mk4 and it would run soo much smoother thatn the big names.

Some of them concern me but I was happy with that one, until I switched to Diesel and they only had high-flow .

[Buller_Scott]

i only use BP because their "alpine grade diesel" just HAS to be the best, at 10c a liter extra!!! lol.

no but really, i only use bp.

and yes, i DO sometimes have to put in that "alpine grade diesel".

[Greg Roles]

Geez you poor!

I don't even trust caltex I'm afraid. Biggest problem I see apart from your probable "algae" incident is the injectors getting dirty, and the power and economy loss that involves, not to mention the extra smoke. With a DPF I'm not keen on clogging it up any faster. It's why those old diesels that smoke like crazy from the lights don't seem to got going very well despite all the smoke. BP suggest cleaning of injectors, and I'll drive further on 10kms to go to get to a BP if I have to ( and you can!! )

My guess is you got a dose of diesel eating algae, which turns diesel into watery digested by products. I was warned early on to only use majors, and I run some fuel doctor designed to shock and flush the entire fuel system, specifically algae every service. Cheap insurance, especially if you buy a few bottles from supercheap during one of their sale days. Algae is tough to kill, and once it gets into your tank, well it sets up shop.

Glad to hear you only got an excess, that was quite a repair bill!

Did they let you know what the DPF itself cost? I'd be interested to know...

[Transporter]

I don't recommend buying fuel where the fuel station has the workshop, since they may accidentally tip waste oil in the fuel tanks.

[neil]

Sound very much like the dreaded algae.

I don't suppose they gave you a sample??

From my experience with this problem on boats which I just helped a friend clean his fuel tanks, it does not usually get past the filters.
The algae blocks the filter first stopping any diesel getting through then the motor stops. Does not usually get past the filter.
If this is the case it is algue it is not a good recommendation of VW filters.

Does anyone know what micron rating the Vw standard filter is??.
1 micron being the best.

And on the subject of filters does anyone know if the IP has a gauze filter ??
I know most Toyota/nissan/isuzu diesels do.

Most fuel conditioners will not kill the algae if you already have it only prevent you from getting it.

[zydecat]

Did they let you know what the DPF itself cost? I'd be interested to know...

Of the total bill, the DPF cost just over $5000 to replace (including labour)

Was this place south of the river? Run by an old guy who just does it for something to do?

Nah - this one is in Kewdale on Orrong road. That will probably narrow it down.

My guess is you got a dose of diesel eating algae, which turns diesel into watery digested by products.

I've attached a pic of a comparison between normal diesel and the stuff out of my car - the dealership and my insurance assessor couldn't identify it...

Got a call about the scratch on the car today - wont have it back til end of next week! At least i have their loan car for free all that time...

Que Sera Sera...

[Greg Roles]

Of the total bill, the DPF cost just over $5000 to replace (including labour)

...

WHAT??

Can't see a lot of them getting replaced once full at that price.

[Transporter]

From that picture it looks like it was mixed with the waste oil. They should get the sample analyzed. But insurance paid, so why would they bother?

[maca]

From that picture it looks like it was mixed with the waste oil. They should get the sample analyzed. But insurance paid, so why would they bother?

For the future, other customers, and in case the service station doesn't know about what type of crap their buying!

[VW Convert]

WHAT??

Can't see a lot of them getting replaced once full at that price.

Hmmmmmm $5,000 DPFs, EGR blocking up..........TSI is looking good Greggy!

Cheers

George

[gerhard]

WHAT??

Can't see a lot of them getting replaced once full at that price.

If the DPF karks it you have no choice but to replace it. The car wouldn't run without it, and even if it would, EPA would fine you substantially more for deliberately taking it off than the cost of replacement.

Yeah - I was originally going to buy the GT TDI, but the final choice of GTI seems much better now......

A friend got the algae in his Patrol. He hadn't used it for 10 months due to illness, then started it up and it ran like a pig. End result was around $8,000 to fix. Drop and clean tank, replace all filters, replace injector pump, replace all injectors.

Sure makes petrol seem a far better choice.

[Greg Roles]

Nice one George, the TSI "lads" will love you for that one! For the record, as of the weekend, my EGR has no chance of blocking up, ever. Still more to come there...

I have little intention of replacing the DPF long term, the ludicrous price just makes the choice easier. There's a way around everything, and well, I'll worry about that at the time. With the active bypass I have planned my DPF will get quite a life extension anyhow, as it won't see flat out soot anymore.

And Gerhard, if you are a metro type, who doesn't get his hands dirty, you're right you have no choice. Me, well I've already thought up three. The car will indeed run without it, with a few simple mods, and there's always ways to have your car run a "certain" way for the slim chance you actually get checked for emissions. If they actually enforced that, we'd lose about 20% of the cars on the roads, and decrease our pollution massively. Hey, I'm ALL for it, but it just doesn't happen. I could only hope.

I'm also glad you're as happy with your choice as I am with mine. Still.