Today Shell oil announced in the Louisiana area that gasoline had been sold with high sulphur content that could cause defective fuel gauges. (as if we didn't know that after I had 2 new sending units installed).

Shell states the silver contacts in the fuel gauges react with the sulphur and render the gauges inaccurate. They could indicate full when empty or needle not move at all.

They voluntarily released the information that Shell produced the gas and Exxon and some independant sellers had purchased the gas. These gas pumps have been closed down and the gas is being pumped out of the station tanks.

Shell has provide a toll free # for claims. 877-825-2467

Finally someone came forward and indicated there is a fuel gauge problem out there. The local dealers are getting very high (ref. Times Picyaune New Orleans daily) sending unit failures.

Shell has also indicated (ref paper again) that there has been spot problems in other parts of the country.

Now lets consider who drove this public announcement in corporate America.

The Mfg of gasoline of the automakers paying the warranty claims?

Please note all information I published here is available in the New Orleans newspaper dated 5/28/04. I have attempted to publish as accurate as possible. Please forgive me If I have inadvertantly mis-stated anything.

I have only tried to provide the vetter's :auto: with informtion to help with our "on going fuel gauge issue"

 

There have been some very interesting discussions about sulfur content in gasoline in the C6 forums. Sulfur is responsible for a vast majority of the emissions equipment increase in vehicles(Oil companies are forced to removed lead from gas in the 70s, but sulfur continues to this day and is just as problematic). Many of the western states are all ready requiring a reduced sulfur fuel at the pumps and I believe the EPA is now setting course to reduce sulfur considerably by 2006. This is a major stride forward that oil companies should have been forced into years ago......Now, about the EPA milage test run at 47mph(set up for the old 55mph speed limit)??...

It is interesting the oil company "unzipped" its fly on this one, as they are truely in control of the automotive and energy fields in this country. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Todd

 

BP/Amaco gas in some major markets has the lowest sulphur at 30ppm. Thats what I always try to run.

 

Great, maybe we can get another $0.25 added to the price of fuel to meet the new standard that should have been a standard for decades....

F

 

This is one of several newspaper articles I have seen on this lately in different parts of the country. Now I find it interesting that the gas price issue is driving some in the U.S. Senate to seek cheaper fuels rather than our "botique" fuels. Should make for an interesting collision going forward.

 

I saw a story on the NBC Nightly News that Shell was selling Premium for the price of regular to make up for the gas gage problem! :mad

 

:thumbs: Thumbs up to Shell for not hiding info.