Blended petrol: Many vehicle owners complain of engine trouble

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A section of motor vehicle owners of the city has complained that the engines of their cars have developed snags after they started using petrol laced with 10 per cent ethanol.

It may be recalled that oil manufacturing companies started supplying petrol mixed with ethanol diluted to retailers since January this year, following a directive of the Central Government.

The problems faced by motor vehicle owners after using blended petrol include frequent damage to air filters. Some cases of engine-seizure of cars have also been reported.

Some city-based mechanics said that some cars have been brought to their garages with complaints of engine noise or engine-seizure. The mechanics found water content in the fuel tanks when they examined the cars properly.

According to an employee of the NRL petrol pump at Jayanagar, they have been facing a problem of water accumulation in their underground tank over the last few months. He said that the ethanol content in petrol absorbs water from the air and the water subsequently settles as a layer at the bottom of the underground tanks.

They have started receiving complaints from customers regarding the quality of petrol sold by them, the NRL employee said, adding that they have a hard time explaining that the petrol is only sold by them and that it is supplied by recognized oil manufacturing companies.

There have been several altercations between petrol retailers and customers who suffered from engine malfunction in their cars after using the blended petrol. Significantly, most of the petrol pumps have put up banners which declare that they are selling petrol blended with 10 per cent ethanol and that they are not responsible for any damage to vehicle engines.

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