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Fuel depot probes 'contamination' Fuel depot probes 'contamination'
(10 minutes later)
An Essex depot allegedly linked with the "contaminated" fuel said to have damaged car engines is investigating whether it is to blame for the problem. An Essex depot allegedly linked with the "contaminated" fuel said to have damaged car engines is investigating whether it is to blame.
Vopak Terminals says checks are being made to make sure normal handling and storage procedures have been followed.Vopak Terminals says checks are being made to make sure normal handling and storage procedures have been followed.
Meanwhile, an AA source told the BBC traces of silicon have been found in petrol taken from the cars.Meanwhile, an AA source told the BBC traces of silicon have been found in petrol taken from the cars.
Thousands of drivers have complained their cars were damaged after they used petrol from supermarket forecourts.Thousands of drivers have complained their cars were damaged after they used petrol from supermarket forecourts.
Tesco said the problems appeared to be linked to forecourts in the south east of England served by a site in Essex.Tesco said the problems appeared to be linked to forecourts in the south east of England served by a site in Essex.
Both Tesco and Morrisons get fuel from an independent oil company called Greenergy, which insists its supplies meet industry standards.Both Tesco and Morrisons get fuel from an independent oil company called Greenergy, which insists its supplies meet industry standards.
I've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before Ray Holloway,Petrol Retailers Association Mr Holloway interviewI've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before Ray Holloway,Petrol Retailers Association Mr Holloway interview
A major Greenergy storage depot is run by distribution firm Vopak on the River Thames at West Thurrock, Grays, Essex.A major Greenergy storage depot is run by distribution firm Vopak on the River Thames at West Thurrock, Grays, Essex.
Colin Scott, Vopak Terminals managing director, said checks were being made to make sure normal handling and storage procedures have been followed. Vopak Terminals managing director Colin Scott said: "Verifications are continuing. At this moment we have not established any deviation from normal procedures."
"Verifications are continuing. At this moment we have not established any deviation from normal procedures." An AA source has told the BBC traces of silicon, which should not be in unleaded petrol, have been found in tests carried out by the petroleum industry.
The AA source said tests carried out by the petroleum industry had revealed traces of silicon in suspect fuel. The substance should not be in unleaded petrol.
'Faulty' fuel locations
It is thought silicon may have found its way into a batch of petrol in transit by ship into the UK or in storage containers.It is thought silicon may have found its way into a batch of petrol in transit by ship into the UK or in storage containers.
Trading standards officials said their tests on the suspect fuel may be available on Friday. Chris Hunt from the UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) said: "We have yet to check samples of fuel taken from motorists' vehicles that have suffered problems."
HAVE YOUR SAY One of these stations had strange additives in their fuel Michael Gibson, West Byfleet Send us your comments Petrol questions answered How fuel can be contaminated
"What we are doing as an industry is really getting on as quickly as we can to try and narrow down what the issue is with this fuel that's caused so many problems."
He added: "Silicon is one of the many substances we will be examining in the samples we have yet to evaluate, and that evaluation will be going on over the next 24 hours."
The Trading Standards Institute said samples of unleaded petrol had been taken from station forecourts in Cambridgeshire, Kent, south Essex and Milton Keynes.The Trading Standards Institute said samples of unleaded petrol had been taken from station forecourts in Cambridgeshire, Kent, south Essex and Milton Keynes.
A spokeswoman said spot checks were also being undertaken by local authority trading standards teams in other parts of the country.A spokeswoman said spot checks were also being undertaken by local authority trading standards teams in other parts of the country.
HAVE YOUR SAY One of these stations had strange additives in their fuel Michael Gibson, West Byfleet Send us your comments Petrol questions answered
Tests on fuel supplied by Tesco, Morrisons and Asda have so far not revealed any problems, the supermarkets have said.Tests on fuel supplied by Tesco, Morrisons and Asda have so far not revealed any problems, the supermarkets have said.
The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine.The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine.
'Faulty' fuel locations
The BBC has received more than 3,500 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles have juddered, misfired and suffered a loss of power.The BBC has received more than 3,500 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles have juddered, misfired and suffered a loss of power.
Most came from an area covering London and parts of east and south-east England and many reported buying petrol from forecourts at supermarkets.
But problems have also been reported by motorists in other areas including Aberdeen, Manchester, Newcastle and Preston.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said motorists affected by contaminated petrol should be able to claim if they have comprehensive cover.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said motorists affected by contaminated petrol should be able to claim if they have comprehensive cover.
Repair bills The problems seem to be centred on oxygen sensors which determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine.
The problems seem to be centred on oxygen sensors in vehicles.
The sensors are attached to the exhaust and determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine.
Garages are running out of replacement parts in some areas as they are swamped with motorists. Repair bills are topping £1,000 for some drivers.Garages are running out of replacement parts in some areas as they are swamped with motorists. Repair bills are topping £1,000 for some drivers.
This seems to point at a fairly localised batch of fuel Petroleum Industry Association class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6407299.stm">How fuel can be contaminated The UKPIA said the problem could have arisen because of the way a single batch of fuel was blended or stored, and that petrol across the UK was generally not faulty.
The UK Petroleum Industry Association said the problem could have arisen because of the way a single batch of fuel was blended or stored, and that petrol across the UK was generally not faulty.
Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said garages had told him the problems may have been around for a week, so the exact cause might not be found.Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said garages had told him the problems may have been around for a week, so the exact cause might not be found.
"I've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before, and therefore to give you a cause is very difficult at this stage."