Is it me?

[PJI]

A bought my first Aston a V12VS back in September but I am struggling to fill the car with fuel!

Basically the pump constantly cuts out. I have tried changing the position of the fuel nozzle and slowing the fuel rate down but the problem remains! I only ever fill up at Shell stations using V Max. Is there a knack to it?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

[Upperworks]

Mine are the opposite, there's nothing they like more than drinking fuel!

In answer to your question, not sure, I've not had this issue. HTH

[AdamV12V]

Yes there is a distinct knack to it - instead of the usual straight down position, try holding the gun/nozzle at either 135 degrees to the left (almost upside down) or 45 degrees to the left, as I find these work best.

Also if the pump is particularly sensitive don't open it up to full speed, try filling it at say 80% speed.

[DAVIDOXE]

Mine is the same but works fine if not all the way in!

[Manwhoneverwas]

I had this exact problem filling up when the pumps at the station I use were upgraded.
I faffed about with the nozzle at every angle and position, but it would cut out every few seconds.
Spoke to my AM dealer and they advised to use another filling station as the higher pressure with the new pumps was causing it.
Filling up now at another station no problems.

[james-witton]

Happens to me with the Shell VPower

[AdamV12V]

james-witton said:

Happens to me with the Shell VPower

Errr, I didn't think that the Virage had a knock sensor (as introduced on Vanquish and V12VS), in which case you are wasting your money by filling up with VPower/Super.

[CraigV12V]

Get a Roadster. The nozzle goes in vertically and it hardly ever clicks off.

[AMDBSVNick]

CraigV12V said:

Get a Roadster. The nozzle goes in vertically and it hardly ever clicks off.

Problem is you have a range of about 12 miles

[abanks]

I get the same problem from time to time with my DB9 - I tend to just pull the trigger about 70/80% as others have mentioned and it seems to do the trick.

[james-witton]

AdamV12V said:

Errr, I didn't think that the Virage had a knock sensor (as introduced on Vanquish and V12VS), in which case you are wasting your money by filling up with VPower/Super.

Sounds interesting Adam. Please explain to a simple minded soul like me. I just thought it was better petrol. Am I wasting my hard earned pennies?
James

[Murph7355]

james-witton said:

AdamV12V said:

Errr, I didn't think that the Virage had a knock sensor (as introduced on Vanquish and V12VS), in which case you are wasting your money by filling up with VPower/Super.

Sounds interesting Adam. Please explain to a simple minded soul like me. I just thought it was better petrol. Am I wasting my hard earned pennies?
James

Higher octane fuel is only an advantage i an engine is set up for it, or the engine can set itself up for it (which is something a knock sensor allows).

However, my understanding is that VPower is not only higher octane but also different in the additives/general composition. So in theory it is better (and I definitely use it when it's available).

The only way to comfort yourself is to try the different fuels exclusively for a lengthy period and see how you feel about it/measure the differences (e.g. mpg).

[Ex Boy Racer]

Higher octane fuel, as said before, is only of advantage if the engine can adapt to take advantage of it.

Earlier AM V12 engines (such as v12 Vantage) cannot do that. The V12 S can.

As far as additives etc - not sure that these aren't emperor's new clothes. But if it makes you feel better because it's reassuringly expensive.

Mike talks about it in Bamford Rose section. It seems pretty clear he wouldn't spend the extra...

[northernmedia]

Unsurprisingly my S runs noticeably better on vpower

[leerandle]

james-witton said:

AdamV12V said:

Errr, I didn't think that the Virage had a knock sensor (as introduced on Vanquish and V12VS), in which case you are wasting your money by filling up with VPower/Super.

Sounds interesting Adam. Please explain to a simple minded soul like me. I just thought it was better petrol. Am I wasting my hard earned pennies?
James

James, I believe Adam is right in stating that the newer V12 cars do not have knock sensors and therefore do not benefit from higher octane fuel (other than any potential 'additives'). The knock sensors literally check for the engine 'knocking' on fuel/air detonation and adjust accordingly.

There are quite a few threads on PH that state this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I'm no expert, but I remember checking that my old Vantage can benefit from higher octane fuel as it has knock sensors fitted.