The fuel CONundrum

[Ibrox90]

I was on my way home today when i ran into some unexpected roadworks cost me alot of fuel.

When my fuel gauge hit empty and "range till empty" hit 5km I doubted weather I'd be able to make it home.

I pulled in at an "on the run" BP service station, ad put in $20 approximatily 15+ litres of BP Ultimate.

NOW for the CON.

I got in the car started the engine. The fuel gauge didnt move. I thought nothing of it at first thinking it was just a glitch I continued on my journey home. I travelled a further 4-5km down the road the fuel gauge didnt move.

Worried I pulled into the next "On the run" BP petrol station while doing so the car died. Worried at this point I attempted to restart my dead boss 260 would turn. Thinking surely it couldnt have been that i ran out of fuel i filled another $20 of BP ultimate. jumped back in the car petrol gauge moved to 1/4 tank range till empty 109 kms.

SO,

It is my thinking that at the first BP petrol station no fuel was delievered to my vehicle. Yet the fuel litre counter went up as did the cost metre.

I spoke to the girl at the second on the run and she gave me a number for the head office. which i rang and they are now investigating and getting back to me. and have promised that a $80 fuel voucher is in the mail along with an apology for my troubles.

Just highlights the point that you really dont know how much or how little fuel your getting.

P.s I was under the impression that a pump dispensing no fuel and still charging was impossible.

Sorry for the long winded story

[Jeddak]

So was I .....!

[Iggypoppin']

it might just have starved for a bit, I don't know how the Boss fueling system works, but perhaps it just chugged out as you filled it, and it wasn't sure how much fuel it did(or didn't) have...

[SSD-85]

This is precisely why I listen to the fuel going into my tank while i fill up. Whilst I obviously cant gauge how much is going in, at least I know that some is going in. And its not just a drip.

[flappist]

The meter cannot measure if fuel is not delivered, they are calibrated and sealed by inspectors.

This is not set by the fuel companies or servo owner but by the government.

[snappy]

Originally Posted by flappist

The meter cannot measure if fuel is not delivered, they are calibrated and sealed by inspectors.

This is not set by the fuel companies or servo owner but by the government.

Well that explains it if anyone could fail to deliver it would that lot. :

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by snappy

Well that explains it if anyone could fail to deliver it would that lot. :

Nice

[prydey]

Originally Posted by flappist

The meter cannot measure if fuel is not delivered, they are calibrated and sealed by inspectors.

This is not set by the fuel companies or servo owner but by the government.

facts ruin good stories! you know that.

the fuel pickup doens't sit in the bottom of the tank, due to all the crap that settles there, and you should never run your car that low. no good for your fuel filter and pump.

[asusdragon]

not sure if this help of not but I put $10 in my BA today (as it was in for a service so just wanted enough to gte to my mechanics and home.) I wont be driving it for a few weeks now, dont like having heaps of fuel sitting in it. Anyway back on track it took my car about 30mins of driving about 40kms or so for the fuel gauge and the trip computer to read extra fuel was put in.
Not sure if that helps or not not sure why it stalled on you though.

[1LOUDXFUTE]

Originally Posted by asusdragon

not sure if this help of not but I put $10 in my BA today (as it was in for a service so just wanted enough to gte to my mechanics and home.) I wont be driving it for a few weeks now, dont like having heaps of fuel sitting in it. Anyway back on track it took my car about 30mins of driving about 40kms or so for the fuel gauge and the trip computer to read extra fuel was put in.
Not sure if that helps or not not sure why it stalled on you though.

thats happened to me about 3 times now, everytime i put $10 in it when its near empty it doesnt register.. if i put any more in than that it registers fine.. weird

[Ibrox90]

I genuinly believe that it ran out of fuel

[buggo]

Interesting. And a good piont is made, how do you know really how much fuel goes in each time you fill up. Maybe they should introduce new hoses with a transperant window new the neck, so then you could atleast actually see it go in.

[asusdragon]

Originally Posted by buggo_gt

Interesting. And a good piont is made, how do you know really how much fuel goes in each time you fill up. Maybe they should introduce new hoses with a transperant window new the neck, so then you could atleast actually see it go in.

Just on that and I guessing alot of people would know anyway but its better to fill up in the morning then afternoon, as the fuel is cold in the morning as it gets hotter it expanse meaning you get less then you paid for. There has been a few cases of servos even heating the fuel tanks in the gorund to make more money

[GTP owner]

They have inspectors regularly veryfying the pumps. Ask the manager for when they were last inspected - I think you will find it is every 6 months.

[Copie]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

They have inspectors regularly veryfying the pumps. Ask the manager for when they were last inspected - I think you will find it is every 6 months.

Usually its a bit closer then that, around 1-3 months.

[mrbaxr6t]

my wife works @ a service station and the penalties to the service station for "tampering" with a bowser run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, so high is the risk that the service station themselves self regulate the fuel to make sure a litre on the pump is a litre in the "can" so to speak, checked weekly and if it is wrong then an "out of order" sign is immediately put on the pump and the authorities are notified - they can also tell if something is fishy if the dip reads and the litres sold don't match, where she works they are a pack of ******** retentives they get the fuel tested for water content as well usually every month. With their checks and balances (wifes' place of work) it is extremely unlikely that you will get less than what you pay for and it also is extremely unlikely that you will get a dud batch of fuel either, I thought it was the smaller operators that bowser tampered and water loaded? Must remember most BP service stations are contracted out, if the owner of the servo is being shonky I can see BP dropping a mighty big hammer on the owner of that particular service station.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by mrbaxr6t

my wife works @ a service station and the penalties to the service station for "tampering" with a bowser run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, so high is the risk that the service station themselves self regulate the fuel to make sure a litre on the pump is a litre in the "can" so to speak, checked weekly and if it is wrong then an "out of order" sign is immediately put on the pump and the authorities are notified - they can also tell if something is fishy if the dip reads and the litres sold don't match, where she works they are a pack of ******** retentives they get the fuel tested for water content as well usually every month. With their checks and balances (wifes' place of work) it is extremely unlikely that you will get less than what you pay for and it also is extremely unlikely that you will get a dud batch of fuel either, I thought it was the smaller operators that bowser tampered and water loaded? Must remember most BP service stations are contracted out, if the owner of the servo is being shonky I can see BP dropping a mighty big hammer on the owner of that particular service station.

oh stop it, you're ruining it for all the conspiracy theorists!!

we're getting ripped off! everyone knows thats a fact.. right?

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by prydey

oh stop it, you're ruining it for all the conspiracy theorists!!

we're getting ripped off! everyone knows thats a fact.. right?

So much LOL in this thread.

Where is that Captain Jean Luc Picard 'facepalm' icon when you need it.

[Luke Plaizier]

Sounds like a good opportunity for someone to invent and market a fuel filler sleeve insert that can independently measure the amount of fuel you put in your car. Add a sieve filter, fuel-quality sensor or even a water sensor and you'd be on to a bonafide winner.


Lukeyson

[burnz]

i have sued a garage when i was able to put 92 ltr when i only required 65 ltr.
my tank is 75 ltr.

gottleb who's bowser (Mfg) stated it had been tampered with buy the garage.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by burnz

i have sued a garage when i was able to put 92 ltr when i only required 65 ltr.
my tank is 75 ltr.

gottleb who's bowser (Mfg) stated it had been tampered with buy the garage.

Beware the independantly operated servo. A manager at a company owned site has no reason to tamper with a pump.

[csv8]

Today Tonight,last night had an article on filthy fuel. http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/latest and go to the video site for the story

[xr6turboford]

Stop at a servo a few weeks back put the nozzle in and looked at the pump,
WTF its registered 3cents and I haven't started yet. 3 cents don't sound much but you add that up every time some one puts fuel in their car, and yes I did complain to the person behind the counter.

[04redxr8]

Originally Posted by xr6turboford

Stop at a servo a few weeks back put the nozzle in and looked at the pump,
WTF its registered 3cents and I haven't started yet. 3 cents don't sound much but you add that up every time some one puts fuel in their car, and yes I did complain to the person behind the counter.

If you believe the servo's, 3 cents is their profit on 1 litre of fuel sold.

[Mr Hardware]

Y'know, after years and years and years of using many different fuels at many different servos, my precise fuel economy records don't ever result in me suspecting anything but the exact amount of fuel is delivered to my vehicle. I fill my 5L mower can, it says i put in 4.88L cos i haven't completely brimmed it and I am happy.

[Yellow_Festiva]

[xtremerus]

No-one will EVER know that it was, Bad fuel? Empty tank picking up cr&p? Pump problem? It is RP by the fuel company to give you a $80 voucher. Take it. Get on with life.

[XR6_661]

I remember once the XR6 was running on empty, so I threw a quick $15 in as I wasn't at the servo where the ol boy has an account and I can just fill up...

Beside the point, the $15 didn't register on my gauge or DTE....only after driving the gauge slowly crept up as did the DTE....

BUT if I put $20 in the tank...it registers as soon as I start the car?

[Jondalar]

The bowsers always used to have a clear window where you could see the fuel and either a little vane that turned or beads so you could see the fuel moving. Wonder why they stopped doing that?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

The bowsers always used to have a clear window where you could see the fuel and either a little vane that turned or beads so you could see the fuel moving. Wonder why they stopped doing that?

Even so, this only shows that there is a movement of fluid, not how much you're getting. The pump may say it is delivering 10lpm but if you are getting 6 it will probably 'look' the same.

I know that If I felt I was ripped off at the pump I would be returning with a jerry can and seeing exactly what was said to be delivered compared to what I have actually received.