This holiday (May/June) in France we've had problems with our car, with black emissions, noisy performance, and 'popping' (like small misfires) and 'lumpy' performance like a petrol engine missing. The car is also using a lot more fuel than normal. The problem started after we filled up with diesel in the Super U in Ruoms, in the Ardeche area of France, and continued throughout the rest of the holiday and is still present despite using recommended additives and filling up with fuel in this country mid-week.
Some investigation today, by ourselves, and our diesel mechanic, suggests that the problem may have arisen because we could have inadvertently filled up with B30 (diesel containing 30% biodiesel). French drivers have complained on French forums about the same problems we've had, mainly with fuel from Super U but not always, and several have described exactly the problems we've had - with several new posts in June 2011. This may necessitate expensive work on the car, so anyone planning a trip to France in the near future should be careful what they're buying. The fuel we bought was not labelled Biodiesel, nor from a pump with an orange nozzle, so do check carefully any smaller labels on the pump.
Our car is going into the garage on Tuesday and I'll report back on the findings then.
There is a report in Go Caravanning:
Go Caravan reader Mary Kingdon alerted us to this issue after a French trip caused fuel injection problems with her Nissan X-Trail. It seems that she may have filled her car with B30 – a diesel with a high proportion of biodiesel.
Biodiesel is produced from oilseed rape, sunflower oil, used frying oils and palm oil. Unless a vehicle has been specifically designed to use it, this can damage cars.
In the UK all diesel contains up to 7% biodiesel. In France the proportion is similar, However, a B30 diesel blend (containing 30% biodiesel) is also available in France (and other parts of Europe), and it is this that has caught out some British caravanners. B30 is only suitable for vehicles specifically designed to use it.
Journalist and experienced continental caravanner Mike Cazalet believes the problem is that various seals in the fuel system are not suitable for bio fuel. He advised: “The seals may not fail immediately, which is why people who have filled up with the wrong fuel often think they’ve got away with it, but the seals probably will, expensively, fail.”
Motor manufacturer Nissan, along with most other manufacturers, advises customers to use only conventional diesel fuel, and Volkswagen says the use of B30 may invalidate the engine and exhaust system warranty.
A few filling stations in the UK also sell the B30 blend – Morrisons supermarkets has stocked this at its forecourts.
To avoid problems, we advise:
Stick to conventional diesel fuel
Avoid B30 – look out for the B30 label and possibly an orange pump
Use B30 only if you have established with your car’s manufacturer that your vehicle is able to run on this mix
I hope this serves as a warning to others and prevents anyone else having the problems we've had this time.
Some investigation today, by ourselves, and our diesel mechanic, suggests that the problem may have arisen because we could have inadvertently filled up with B30 (diesel containing 30% biodiesel). French drivers have complained on French forums about the same problems we've had, mainly with fuel from Super U but not always, and several have described exactly the problems we've had - with several new posts in June 2011. This may necessitate expensive work on the car, so anyone planning a trip to France in the near future should be careful what they're buying. The fuel we bought was not labelled Biodiesel, nor from a pump with an orange nozzle, so do check carefully any smaller labels on the pump.
Our car is going into the garage on Tuesday and I'll report back on the findings then.
There is a report in Go Caravanning:
Go Caravan reader Mary Kingdon alerted us to this issue after a French trip caused fuel injection problems with her Nissan X-Trail. It seems that she may have filled her car with B30 – a diesel with a high proportion of biodiesel.
Biodiesel is produced from oilseed rape, sunflower oil, used frying oils and palm oil. Unless a vehicle has been specifically designed to use it, this can damage cars.
In the UK all diesel contains up to 7% biodiesel. In France the proportion is similar, However, a B30 diesel blend (containing 30% biodiesel) is also available in France (and other parts of Europe), and it is this that has caught out some British caravanners. B30 is only suitable for vehicles specifically designed to use it.
Journalist and experienced continental caravanner Mike Cazalet believes the problem is that various seals in the fuel system are not suitable for bio fuel. He advised: “The seals may not fail immediately, which is why people who have filled up with the wrong fuel often think they’ve got away with it, but the seals probably will, expensively, fail.”
Motor manufacturer Nissan, along with most other manufacturers, advises customers to use only conventional diesel fuel, and Volkswagen says the use of B30 may invalidate the engine and exhaust system warranty.
A few filling stations in the UK also sell the B30 blend – Morrisons supermarkets has stocked this at its forecourts.
To avoid problems, we advise:
Stick to conventional diesel fuel
Avoid B30 – look out for the B30 label and possibly an orange pump
Use B30 only if you have established with your car’s manufacturer that your vehicle is able to run on this mix
I hope this serves as a warning to others and prevents anyone else having the problems we've had this time.
Facebook
Twitter