Fuel from Shell Co.

[WL]

Hi all:

I don't know how many of you use Shell fuel for your (car)
and boat. I used Shell gasoline for my cars and diesel for
my Vega- unfortunately! Because it has been determined that
Shell fuel will damage your car. Both of my cars now need
major repair! Nothing has been said so far about diesel
fuel.

For the last few weeks my diesel engine became hard to
start. I changed all the filters, but the situation became
worth! I checked everything and found out every connection
for the fuel supply was leaking. I tightened every leaking
connection, but to no avail! Upon inspection I found every
washer or gasket in a deteriorating condition, either
corroding or disintegrating. With air in the line, a Diesel
Engine won't start! I needed to bleed the lines every time
before starting the engine! And after the engine ran, I
found new leaks!

I'm now in the process of pumping out my fuel tank,
replacing with another brand of diesel fuel, and installing
new washers and gaskets for the fuel supply line.

Question: Has any one of you had a similar experience?
(with Shell Co. diesel fuel).

Wilhelm, V-257

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[tjelle1946]

Shell has a web page for complaints--I have put three fuel pumps in my cars and so has my brother--all bad shell fuel. If you can prove you bought shell and have damage you may be reimbursed--see web page jorgen--apparently shell has cleaned up

 

[brockhaus77]

Hi Wilhelm,

VERY interesting indeed. I'd like to know if you find out anything more about Shell Diesel
being bad - but the symptoms you described are eerily similar to my (still ongoing) engine
problems on my Vega: Hard to start (especially if it's the second time in a given day, after
a sail, returning to harbor), and a tendency to "starve" while running at a good clip
(oftentimes, after 15-30 min. of running. the engine gets slower and slower and finally
cuts off). I got several hints and ideas for my problem from the list, but haven't checked
out the cause I now think is most likely: gunk in the tank preventing fuel to flow at
enough of a pace for the engine. I suspect that instead, air will get into the fuel line
somehow and the engine starves. The reason I haven't acted on the gunk suspicion yet is
that my tank is full to the brim, and I'm not really sure how to attack the problem (I guess I
have to take my tank out of its position in the starboard locker). I haven't SEEN any leaks in
the fuel line, but I do notice that the fuel level in the RACOR filter is always falling while
the engine runs, so air must be coming in SOMEWHERE.
I have had good success with a "kludge" remedy suggested to me by the engine maker
(Vetus): buy a regular "outboard motor" type tank with fuel line and inline bulb pump. If I
hook that up to my RACOR instead of the line from the regular tank, I can get the engine
started no problem (I can "prime" the whole thing just by squeezing the bulb). However, I
can't run very long in that configuration before the regular tank will start to overfill (!)
because so much unused fuel is returned to it from the injectors.
Anyway, the Shell story may be a new twist, but I'd really like to hear from others whether
this is possibly a reason for our problems...

- Sebastian (VegaLyra 1060)

 

[tjelle1946]

it is a good thing to eplace old rubber fuel lines if they start to become hard--check all connedtions for tightness--it will suck air many places--it is recommended to use up your diesel once a year and clean the tank--especially sail boats that do not use much fuel. keep an extra plastic tank aboard then use up the fuel before adding new. jorgen

 

[wxt8981]

Hi all;

it was quite easy for me to find out there were leaks- I
just put my hand there and it was wet from diesel. I
tightened the connection, but within a day or so it leaked
again.

I'm changing the fuel lines and I refill the tank with
another brand diesel.

I'm also trying to find out if there is indeed a problem
with diesel fuel sold by Shell Oil. There certainly was a
problem with the gasoline!

Thanks for the reply... Wilhelm, V-257