Warning: Contaminated Fuel from Shell

Warning Contaminated Shell Fuel! On Tuesday afternoon (1 Nov 2022) I filled up my Toyota Hilux (70L) at the Shell Rosebank Station (cnr Bath & Baker) with Diesel.

On Wednesday morning my vehicles Fuel System Warning Light was flashing and requested I drain the filter which I did. A few kilometres later the same request and I drained the filter again however a few kilometres later the same system warning.

I took the car back to the service station where the manager looked at the fuel from my car (which was contaminated fuel) and pumped fuel out of the same pump which I filled up the night before and they compared the two and they looked the same, both contaminated.

I contacted the owner of the station on Wednesday and the response was that many cars have been filled up and I am the only one complaining so I should raise my concern with Shell customer services and that he as a Shell dealer takes no responsibility and they have continued to fill up other vehicles. I was informed it was my vehicle.

On Thursday 3rd Nov 2022 my car was taken to the mechanics as I needed the fuel tested and removed from my vehicle as it was clearly damaging my engine. The mechanics checked the quality of the diesel and confirmed it was contaminated and thus had to remove the entire tank of fuel, clear out my vehicles filters and flush the system at a cost of R 4000.00. We however do not know the extent of the long term potential damage.

On Thursday I sent all the above info to the owner and was informed that Shell will investigate but I must contact Shell customer service again taking zero responsibility. I went back to the station a few days later to purchase some of the contaminated fuel but was informed the tanks had just been refilled.

I have finally received a response from Shell who state that no other customers have complained, the tanks were recently replaced and they take zero responsibility.

A warning to drivers, do not use Shell if this is how they service cleints!