Sometimes the s**t hits the fan
Discussion
So... my Maser 4200 was in good health until...
Got up today for a ride. Engine fires-up OK, move out of my driveway OK, cruise for about 2 miles OK... then I head into the A2, which (by the time I look down the slip road) I noticed was pack-solid. Luckily I was able to head into a relief road and though "good, I'm outta here". Smoothly up towards the exit, prepare to turn left (was on 1st by then, from a standstill as I had to stop because of an incoming vehicle), on the gas when... car chokes, chokes...
comes to a full-stop in a 45 degree angle, crossed on the carriageway of a rather busy road 
Able to start it again, moves just enough to pull myself out of that uncomfortable situation (as I was blocking all incoming traffic) but engine chokes, chokes again... then stops
You can imagine me
Fire-it up yet again, starts and about 5 seconds afterwards chokes, chokes... now dead.
From there on, no way to start the engine again
Called AA Roadside Assistance, nice guy came-in, hooks an ODB scanner but no codes stored. Gave it a bit of charge to the battery (was slightly down but not dramatic) and nothing (the guy however was able to hear the gas pump actuating on ignition, so seems that's not it). Looked at the engine, all belts OK, but could be the alternator. Tried about 5 more times. Misfired a couple but nothing. Next step: call a flatbed to pick-me up
Car now at home, heding for the dealer ASAP (on a flatbed, of course) but not amused at all.
Interestingly the car was driving fine. No warning lights. It could be something has re-setted the ECU and blocked the fuel-injection system or whatever, which now needs the dealer to get sorted. I'm gonna ask for a full SD3 diagnostics.
Only other issue, prior to this, was that I loaded a full tank of petrol at the ESSO station nearby Canary Wharf (on the roundabout heading towards City Airport).
Not the nicest of days... at least it was not raining
Got up today for a ride. Engine fires-up OK, move out of my driveway OK, cruise for about 2 miles OK... then I head into the A2, which (by the time I look down the slip road) I noticed was pack-solid. Luckily I was able to head into a relief road and though "good, I'm outta here". Smoothly up towards the exit, prepare to turn left (was on 1st by then, from a standstill as I had to stop because of an incoming vehicle), on the gas when... car chokes, chokes...
comes to a full-stop in a 45 degree angle, crossed on the carriageway of a rather busy road Able to start it again, moves just enough to pull myself out of that uncomfortable situation (as I was blocking all incoming traffic) but engine chokes, chokes again... then stops
You can imagine me
Fire-it up yet again, starts and about 5 seconds afterwards chokes, chokes... now dead.
From there on, no way to start the engine again
Called AA Roadside Assistance, nice guy came-in, hooks an ODB scanner but no codes stored. Gave it a bit of charge to the battery (was slightly down but not dramatic) and nothing (the guy however was able to hear the gas pump actuating on ignition, so seems that's not it). Looked at the engine, all belts OK, but could be the alternator. Tried about 5 more times. Misfired a couple but nothing. Next step: call a flatbed to pick-me up
Car now at home, heding for the dealer ASAP (on a flatbed, of course) but not amused at all.
Interestingly the car was driving fine. No warning lights. It could be something has re-setted the ECU and blocked the fuel-injection system or whatever, which now needs the dealer to get sorted. I'm gonna ask for a full SD3 diagnostics.
Only other issue, prior to this, was that I loaded a full tank of petrol at the ESSO station nearby Canary Wharf (on the roundabout heading towards City Airport).
Not the nicest of days... at least it was not raining
Edited by troesma on Sunday 25th February 01:51
I know the garage you mean and had a similar experience there myself, luckily not in the masser though. Turned out that some water had leaked into their tanks somehow and as fuel floats on water that gets sucked up first. It doesn't take much to stop an engine and even less to make it run rough. I was using a Audi at the time and it resulted in a £750 cleaning and injector bill for that, dread to think what it would have been in the masser. Still they did admit liability and paid up easily enough.
Did you fill after the heavy rain we had on Thursday?
Did you fill after the heavy rain we had on Thursday?
Nope, it was before that... s**t, that crossed my mind also. Dunno if I kept the ticket, but payed by credit card so it should come on my statement. How did they admit liability?
Now, here is an interesting thought. Came back home after the petrol load, OK, and today it was the first time I used it in 5 days. So 5 days standing still, more than enough time for water to 'separate' from petrol inside the tank. But I started the engine no probs, ran for about 2 miles with no probs... it the petrol was heavily water-contaminated, that would ahve been sucked by the engine first, and I guess it would have taken much less for the engine to shut down (poosibly by the time I was leaving home, after warming-up).
But if it was the petrol... guess I should be preparing for a solicitor.
Now, here is an interesting thought. Came back home after the petrol load, OK, and today it was the first time I used it in 5 days. So 5 days standing still, more than enough time for water to 'separate' from petrol inside the tank. But I started the engine no probs, ran for about 2 miles with no probs... it the petrol was heavily water-contaminated, that would ahve been sucked by the engine first, and I guess it would have taken much less for the engine to shut down (poosibly by the time I was leaving home, after warming-up).
But if it was the petrol... guess I should be preparing for a solicitor.
troesma said:
Nope, it was before that... s**t, that crossed my mind also. Dunno if I kept the ticket, but payed by credit card so it should come on my statement. How did they admit liability?
Now, here is an interesting thought. Came back home after the petrol load, OK, and today it was the first time I used it in 5 days. So 5 days standing still, more than enough time for water to 'separate' from petrol inside the tank. But I started the engine no probs, ran for about 2 miles with no probs... it the petrol was heavily water-contaminated, that would ahve been sucked by the engine first, and I guess it would have taken much less for the engine to shut down (poosibly by the time I was leaving home, after warming-up).
But if it was the petrol... guess I should be preparing for a solicitor.
Now, here is an interesting thought. Came back home after the petrol load, OK, and today it was the first time I used it in 5 days. So 5 days standing still, more than enough time for water to 'separate' from petrol inside the tank. But I started the engine no probs, ran for about 2 miles with no probs... it the petrol was heavily water-contaminated, that would ahve been sucked by the engine first, and I guess it would have taken much less for the engine to shut down (poosibly by the time I was leaving home, after warming-up).
But if it was the petrol... guess I should be preparing for a solicitor.
sorry to hear this, sounds very fuel like to me, what age is your car? I've never read of anyone elses car breaking down with those symptoms before + most failures would be recorded by the OBD but iffy fuel would not.
I know how you feel, mine was low loaded in France last week
at least you were only local! Hope you get it sorted, let us know eh?
Edited by pvapour on Saturday 24th February 22:23
They didn't have much choice but to admit liability. There was a queue of other less than happy owners in there when I went back. Most had reports from AA/RAC rescue men stating contaminated fuel as the cause. Several had already reported to the police and the police had "requested" that the garage refrained from serving customers until they had the tanks cleaned. Repaid the fuel cost out the till and the rest came from their insurers.
Fault and complaint happened on the same day with mine though so you might have a fight it being several days later.
Have you disconected the fuel filter and emptied the contents into a clear container? leave to stand for a few minutes and you'll easily see if its contaminated.
Fault and complaint happened on the same day with mine though so you might have a fight it being several days later.
Have you disconected the fuel filter and emptied the contents into a clear container? leave to stand for a few minutes and you'll easily see if its contaminated.
Nope, will try today if it is not an impossible task (you know with the Masers...)
Now, if there was a bunch of other people complaining on that week, then I would have a case but who knows. Who could tell what mileage I did after loading there? How can I prove there was no other fuel load after that? So it would depend if other customers faced the same problem in (or very closely) the same date.
What a bummer... TIA,
Ed
Now, if there was a bunch of other people complaining on that week, then I would have a case but who knows. Who could tell what mileage I did after loading there? How can I prove there was no other fuel load after that? So it would depend if other customers faced the same problem in (or very closely) the same date.
What a bummer... TIA,
Ed
There was an article on ITV news about this tonight.
Contaminated fuel from a ship not being washed down properly
is causing nationwide problems with vehicles cutting out and
oxygen sensors being sh**g*d to the point there is a shortage
of oxygen sensors.
Could be media overreaction but the advice was don't use the
vehicle because it could compound the problem and keep receipts
for the fuel bought and claim against the fuel supplier for damage
to the car and any consequential losses (taxis, hire car, etc).
Good luck
Contaminated fuel from a ship not being washed down properly
is causing nationwide problems with vehicles cutting out and
oxygen sensors being sh**g*d to the point there is a shortage
of oxygen sensors.
Could be media overreaction but the advice was don't use the
vehicle because it could compound the problem and keep receipts
for the fuel bought and claim against the fuel supplier for damage
to the car and any consequential losses (taxis, hire car, etc).
Good luck
Ed, sorry to hear about that mate, from the news coverage, there seems to be a big problem in my part of the UK (from East Anglia all the way to the South Coast), and they are reporting the problem at two supermarkets - neither of which you filled up on....
Hope it works out for you.... I assume that means you can't join our East London (as in former Beckton) meet this Sunday around 10am???
Cheers
John
Hope it works out for you.... I assume that means you can't join our East London (as in former Beckton) meet this Sunday around 10am???
Cheers
John
johnnyboy225 said:
Ed, sorry to hear about that mate, from the news coverage, there seems to be a big problem in my part of the UK (from East Anglia all the way to the South Coast), and they are reporting the problem at two supermarkets - neither of which you filled up on....
Hope it works out for you.... I assume that means you can't join our East London (as in former Beckton) meet this Sunday around 10am???
Cheers
John
Hope it works out for you.... I assume that means you can't join our East London (as in former Beckton) meet this Sunday around 10am???
Cheers
John
Ed,
See the following thread... am sure you will wan to add your comments.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&t=362111
Regards,
John
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