What engine damage can be caused by contaminated petrol?
Discussion
My 2022 KAMIQ 1.5TSi manual Skoda had an apparent engine issue.
It was parked on a steep hill and when started the engine was kangarooing, thumping, balking.
We rang the dealer service department, car under new car warranty, and they advised this was an issue seen before, to switch the engine off and leave the car to stand for 15 minutes to reset before restarting. If it ran OK that would clear the problem. This we did and indeed the problem cleared.
A weeks or so later the same problem occurred again. We recontacted the dealer and they advised we should bring the car in for diagnosis. We arrange for a truck as that was more convenient. The car was tested by the recovery company and their diagnostic readout indicated an issue with No3 chamber but the car started and drove onto the truck. That was back in late September 2023.
Subsequently the dealership has dismantled the engine, all under the instruction of Skoda warranty department, found serious damage to No3 piston and chamber and then twice had a fuel sample analysed. The 1st fuel test showed water at 0.28% the second, three weeks later, showed water at just 0.093% but additionally showed the result of a 'physical fuel test' which reported that the 2nd sample 'appeared to be contaminated - possibly with diesel'.
The dealer has now informed us that the warranty claim for the engine damaged has been refused, that the damage is the result of fuel contamination and a new engine needs to be fitted at a cost of, wait for it, £14K and the diagnostic process is also our liability for which a bill is due for £1,450.00 even if we do not get the new engine fitted. Hahaha! Right.
I am not even sure they are right about the engine damage being as a result of the supposedly contaminated fuel - is such damage even possible? I read reports that a totally similar running issue was occurring with these VW 1.5TSi engines, so I am very suspicious of the diagnosis.
If all they say is true, that the contaminated fuel has caused all this damage, I am of the opinion that their initial advice, to stop the car and, if it re-started, drive on, was then clearly the wrong advice. Indeed I think they heard our description of the running issue and misdiagnosed it to be characteristic of the known engine issue with this power unit and gave the wrong advice which has resulted in mashing the engine. Are they liable?
It was parked on a steep hill and when started the engine was kangarooing, thumping, balking.
We rang the dealer service department, car under new car warranty, and they advised this was an issue seen before, to switch the engine off and leave the car to stand for 15 minutes to reset before restarting. If it ran OK that would clear the problem. This we did and indeed the problem cleared.
A weeks or so later the same problem occurred again. We recontacted the dealer and they advised we should bring the car in for diagnosis. We arrange for a truck as that was more convenient. The car was tested by the recovery company and their diagnostic readout indicated an issue with No3 chamber but the car started and drove onto the truck. That was back in late September 2023.
Subsequently the dealership has dismantled the engine, all under the instruction of Skoda warranty department, found serious damage to No3 piston and chamber and then twice had a fuel sample analysed. The 1st fuel test showed water at 0.28% the second, three weeks later, showed water at just 0.093% but additionally showed the result of a 'physical fuel test' which reported that the 2nd sample 'appeared to be contaminated - possibly with diesel'.
The dealer has now informed us that the warranty claim for the engine damaged has been refused, that the damage is the result of fuel contamination and a new engine needs to be fitted at a cost of, wait for it, £14K and the diagnostic process is also our liability for which a bill is due for £1,450.00 even if we do not get the new engine fitted. Hahaha! Right.
I am not even sure they are right about the engine damage being as a result of the supposedly contaminated fuel - is such damage even possible? I read reports that a totally similar running issue was occurring with these VW 1.5TSi engines, so I am very suspicious of the diagnosis.
If all they say is true, that the contaminated fuel has caused all this damage, I am of the opinion that their initial advice, to stop the car and, if it re-started, drive on, was then clearly the wrong advice. Indeed I think they heard our description of the running issue and misdiagnosed it to be characteristic of the known engine issue with this power unit and gave the wrong advice which has resulted in mashing the engine. Are they liable?
EUbrainwashing said:
My 2022 KAMIQ 1.5TSi manual Skoda had an apparent engine issue.
It was parked on a steep hill and when started the engine was kangarooing, thumping, balking.
We rang the dealer service department, car under new car warranty, and they advised this was an issue seen before, to switch the engine off and leave the car to stand for 15 minutes to reset before restarting. If it ran OK that would clear the problem. This we did and indeed the problem cleared.
A weeks or so later the same problem occurred again. We recontacted the dealer and they advised we should bring the car in for diagnosis. We arrange for a truck as that was more convenient. The car was tested by the recovery company and their diagnostic readout indicated an issue with No3 chamber but the car started and drove onto the truck. That was back in late September 2023.
Subsequently the dealership has dismantled the engine, all under the instruction of Skoda warranty department, found serious damage to No3 piston and chamber and then twice had a fuel sample analysed. The 1st fuel test showed water at 0.28% the second, three weeks later, showed water at just 0.093% but additionally showed the result of a 'physical fuel test' which reported that the 2nd sample 'appeared to be contaminated - possibly with diesel'.
The dealer has now informed us that the warranty claim for the engine damaged has been refused, that the damage is the result of fuel contamination and a new engine needs to be fitted at a cost of, wait for it, £14K and the diagnostic process is also our liability for which a bill is due for £1,450.00 even if we do not get the new engine fitted. Hahaha! Right.
I am not even sure they are right about the engine damage being as a result of the supposedly contaminated fuel - is such damage even possible? I read reports that a totally similar running issue was occurring with these VW 1.5TSi engines, so I am very suspicious of the diagnosis.
If all they say is true, that the contaminated fuel has caused all this damage, I am of the opinion that their initial advice, to stop the car and, if it re-started, drive on, was then clearly the wrong advice. Indeed I think they heard our description of the running issue and misdiagnosed it to be characteristic of the known engine issue with this power unit and gave the wrong advice which has resulted in mashing the engine. Are they liable?
Did you put diesel in the tank?It was parked on a steep hill and when started the engine was kangarooing, thumping, balking.
We rang the dealer service department, car under new car warranty, and they advised this was an issue seen before, to switch the engine off and leave the car to stand for 15 minutes to reset before restarting. If it ran OK that would clear the problem. This we did and indeed the problem cleared.
A weeks or so later the same problem occurred again. We recontacted the dealer and they advised we should bring the car in for diagnosis. We arrange for a truck as that was more convenient. The car was tested by the recovery company and their diagnostic readout indicated an issue with No3 chamber but the car started and drove onto the truck. That was back in late September 2023.
Subsequently the dealership has dismantled the engine, all under the instruction of Skoda warranty department, found serious damage to No3 piston and chamber and then twice had a fuel sample analysed. The 1st fuel test showed water at 0.28% the second, three weeks later, showed water at just 0.093% but additionally showed the result of a 'physical fuel test' which reported that the 2nd sample 'appeared to be contaminated - possibly with diesel'.
The dealer has now informed us that the warranty claim for the engine damaged has been refused, that the damage is the result of fuel contamination and a new engine needs to be fitted at a cost of, wait for it, £14K and the diagnostic process is also our liability for which a bill is due for £1,450.00 even if we do not get the new engine fitted. Hahaha! Right.
I am not even sure they are right about the engine damage being as a result of the supposedly contaminated fuel - is such damage even possible? I read reports that a totally similar running issue was occurring with these VW 1.5TSi engines, so I am very suspicious of the diagnosis.
If all they say is true, that the contaminated fuel has caused all this damage, I am of the opinion that their initial advice, to stop the car and, if it re-started, drive on, was then clearly the wrong advice. Indeed I think they heard our description of the running issue and misdiagnosed it to be characteristic of the known engine issue with this power unit and gave the wrong advice which has resulted in mashing the engine. Are they liable?
Suggest you find any receipts you have for the fuel purchases you made up to the date of the fault.
You also need a better understanding of the damage done to the engine and exactly what they have determined as the cause. The fuel testing seems to indicate possible water/diesel contamination, considering you can't fit a diesel pump nozzle into the tank of a petrol car it could down to the fuel station cocking it up.
You also need a better understanding of the damage done to the engine and exactly what they have determined as the cause. The fuel testing seems to indicate possible water/diesel contamination, considering you can't fit a diesel pump nozzle into the tank of a petrol car it could down to the fuel station cocking it up.
doesn’t e10 have about half a percent of water in it?
Petrol tanks in petrol stations are not 100% contaminants proof
Can you check this from where you got the petrol from?
Also 0.093 % is less than half a litre in a 50 litre tank.
It’s BS.
Also what is the significant damage? Let’s see some pics. If there is water in the engine I’d be expecting to see some bent rods, if it’s something else like a blown piston then that a timing issue.
So much more work has to be done before this diag can be confirmed
Stand your ground, get the fuel analysed and also from the petrol station.
Also I would not put it past the dealer that they have in fact started a load of work without warranty approval, in which case they won’t pay for it. I’d definitely be wanting to see exactly what warranty have said. Proof that they gave the dealer the go ahead before starting the work.
Finally raise a case with VW CS.
Petrol tanks in petrol stations are not 100% contaminants proof
Can you check this from where you got the petrol from?
Also 0.093 % is less than half a litre in a 50 litre tank.
It’s BS.
Also what is the significant damage? Let’s see some pics. If there is water in the engine I’d be expecting to see some bent rods, if it’s something else like a blown piston then that a timing issue.
So much more work has to be done before this diag can be confirmed
Stand your ground, get the fuel analysed and also from the petrol station.
Also I would not put it past the dealer that they have in fact started a load of work without warranty approval, in which case they won’t pay for it. I’d definitely be wanting to see exactly what warranty have said. Proof that they gave the dealer the go ahead before starting the work.
Finally raise a case with VW CS.
Edited by Dynion Araf Uchaf on Wednesday 14th February 20:29
Have you been anywhere near Chippenham recently?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68...
I only noticed this story because I used to live just round the corner from that petrol station. There are probably others in the news I've not seen so worth a good search on Google to see if any petrol station you've used has been affected.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68...
I only noticed this story because I used to live just round the corner from that petrol station. There are probably others in the news I've not seen so worth a good search on Google to see if any petrol station you've used has been affected.
EUbrainwashing said:
I think they heard our description of the running issue and misdiagnosed it to be characteristic of the known engine issue with this power unit and gave the wrong advice which has resulted in mashing the engine. Are they liable?
That's not really relevant. Either,(a) Your car broke down under warranty and the manufacturer/dealer need to fix it, or
(b) Your car was killed by fuel contamination and it's not their problem.
Caddyshack said:
Odd, you can inject water in to an engine to cool engine temps, if it hasn’t hydraulic locked I would be interested to know what damage has been done. Similar with diesel, if it hasn’t blocked injectors then I can’t see it harming a piston?
This ^^^^Dealer is talking complete b
kS.Sounds more like an injector issue maybe.
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff