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Ford Falcon: contaminated fuel

IN REFERENCE to the letters you've received about problems with Shell LPG, I'd like to point out that it's not only Shell LPG-powered vehicles that are suffering. We run a fleet of more than 100 dedicated-LPG Falcons that refuel from all main fuel outlets, not only Shell, and suffer from the same problem. A build-up of a wax-like substance hardens in the cold overnight temperatures within the fuel-supply solenoids and LPG converter and blocks or restricts the flow of LPG into the engine during start-up and cold running. There is obviously an issue with the LPG being supplied at the moment across the board and it is not only Shell that is affected. People need to understand that in this instance it is not necessarily a vehicle or LPG system fault that is causing these problems, but it is indeed a problem with the fuel being supplied. As an exercise I have been deliberately using a major brand other than Shell for the past six weeks and have suffered from exactly the same problems.

THANKS for the report. As you say, drivers of LPG-powered vehicles should be aware of these problems and perhaps not be so quick to blame Shell. We have also heard from Shell (below). LPG with a higher-than-normal level of residue was delivered to some parts of Victoria from our facility in Lara, west of Melbourne. As a result, motorists who purchased gas from certain retail service stations (including some which are not Shell-branded) from June 17-28 could have experienced problems with their vehicles, such as cold starting or rough running. The quality issue was quickly resolved and the Shell LPG supplied since that time is fit for purpose. We have been asking customers whose vehicles have been affected to contact our customer service centre on 13 16 18 to discuss the problems they have encountered. Claire Wilkinson, Shell senior media adviser APPRECIATE your advice. Hopefully motorists running LPG-powered cars will be reassured the LPG they buy will cause no further problems.

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