Warning POSSIBLE Tesco 99 Poor fuel problem
Discussion
Well it wont put me off tescos finest, I always alternate between V power and tescos depending on which is cheapest at the time. The only time ive noticed any differance in fuels was when i filled up with Totals super unleaded. That caused the car to kangeroo at times when cold, so havnt used it since!
t. Take it to a garage and get the problem diagnosed.
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
kambites said:
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
No over heating or misfire .... Andyuk911 said:
kambites said:
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
No over heating or misfire .... Andyuk911 said:
kambites said:
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
No over heating or misfire .... TheEnd said:
Andyuk911 said:
kambites said:
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
No over heating or misfire .... Edited by kambites on Saturday 28th November 19:49
kambites said:
TheEnd said:
Andyuk911 said:
kambites said:
Frankly, if your car goes into a "limp home" type mode without recording a fault, it's broken. No piece of electronics should actively enter a diagnostics mode without recording the reason. If the fuel was bad and there was nothing wrong with the car, it would have recorded that it was having some kind of combustion problem, probably a misfire or overheating or something.
No over heating or misfire .... Edited by kambites on Saturday 28th November 19:49
Some of that later Ford stuff limits maximum engine speed at certain engine temperartures, which is something like
up to 105 degrees - Full engine speed
Over 105 but under 110 degrees - approx 3500 rpm
Over 110 but under 115 degrees - Max 2500 rpm
Over 115 degrees - no increase in engine speed, with PCM deliberately stalling the engine when the roadspeed drops below 3kph
No warning lamps, no fault codes stored..... To make things worse, it tends to used as a fail safe of the cars with dual stage thermostats, which are generally not fitted with a temp gauge, only warning lamps for cold (up to 65 degrees, and hot for engine temps over 120 degrees) so the fail safe operates before the hot warning lamp comes on
My Lotus limits maximum revs below a certain coolant temperature too, but it has no effect on the engine below the artificial rev limit that it imposes. It's damned obvious when it's happening though. Surely Ford fit a temperature gauge so you can see what's happening?
Edited by kambites on Saturday 28th November 20:57
kambites said:
My Lotus limits maximum revs below a certain coolant temperature too, but it has no effect on the engine below the artificial rev limit that it imposes. It's damned obvious when it's happening though. Surely Ford fit a temperature gauge so you can see what's happening?
No temp gauge, as they are generally fitted with a dual stage thermostat, and as a result there tend to be temp fluctuations bug enough to make a gauge swing up and down slightly. Edited by kambites on Saturday 28th November 20:57
On early Ford's fitted with them, owners used to complain, so Ford ditched the gauge in favour pf warning lamps for cold, and over 120 degrees.
The power restrictions all occur below 12o degrees though, so no visual sign to the driver
I love the idea that customers complain about their temperature gauge moving erratically so Ford just take it away. 
There was a Laguna at work once with a similar problem, it turned out to be the throttle position sensor and for some reason the ECU wouldn't record the fault. It took bloody ages to find, the owner had brought it from a Renault dealer who had told him it needed a new engine, wiring loom, injectors, fuel pump and ECU. 
I had a similar issue with Tesco's 97 on a Smart Roadster. Normally used Vpower but was caught out and filled up at Tesco's. After 20-30 miles (time needed for engine to register new fueling) retarded ignition and limited boost. Garage found nothing, as no fault codes raised. Ran it through, re-fuelled (VPower) and it picked-up after 20-30 miles. When I looked into the issue across the forums, as was rare, one name kept coming up - Tesco! Obviously not a octane issue as had used 95/97 fine before from several suppliers.
My last cars engine went pop on Tesco 99. The only other car to do the same thing we knew of at the time was also running Tesco 99.
The ingredients used to make it 99 are not appreciated by especially some older engines so if you run an older car with it make sure it wont damage it first.
I went back to Shell after that and have never used Tesco fuel in my cars since. My Dad uses the normal 95 ron from Tesco all the time though especially with 5p a litre off. I wouldn't use Tescos 99 again though only V Power.
The ingredients used to make it 99 are not appreciated by especially some older engines so if you run an older car with it make sure it wont damage it first.
I went back to Shell after that and have never used Tesco fuel in my cars since. My Dad uses the normal 95 ron from Tesco all the time though especially with 5p a litre off. I wouldn't use Tescos 99 again though only V Power.
Quick idea for anybody thinking there is a great difference in Tesco / Sainsbury / Asda / Shell etc, please go here
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=53.28086...
And watch carefully as the Tesco / Sainsbury / Asda / Shell etc tankers fill up with petrol from the same tanks..........
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=53.28086...
And watch carefully as the Tesco / Sainsbury / Asda / Shell etc tankers fill up with petrol from the same tanks..........
Edited by AndrewW-G on Saturday 28th November 22:53
Maybe Tesco's regular fuel is pulled from the same tank as other companies? But the 99 stuff is supposedly made by "Greenergy"
http://www.greenergy.com/tesco_99_octane/index.htm...
http://www.greenergy.com/tesco_99_octane/index.htm...
pfft IMO its more likely to be the french nature of the car rather than then fuel, surely you'd get a specific code from the ECU for excessive knock caused by bad fuel.
And if you were that sure it was the fuel you would have it drained rather than burn it off as you'd risk damage by using it.
And if you were that sure it was the fuel you would have it drained rather than burn it off as you'd risk damage by using it.
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