Suspect fuel bowsers

[Nawdy]

I am hoping someone might be able to tell me if weather conditions can have an adverse effect on fuel bowsers? Without going into all the details, if the weather is hot and/or humid, can it cause the bowser to ring up a total and amount for fuel, even though you haven't actually activated the lever on the nozzle?

[aftahours]

Well I have heard that if you fill up on a cold morning, you get more fuel for your money cos of the temperature or something...sounds a bit weird to me tho.

[nvmysv8]

Take a look at the link below. It should answer all your questions.
Also most of the major fuel suppliers explain temperature correction on their websites

http://www.aip.com.au/pdf/tempcorrect.pdf

[jsttry]

Its the reason why BP Nightcliff have said on their bowsers not to fill up in the middle of the day. They say that this causes the pumping speed to be slow due to evaporation.

[Nawdy]

Take a look at the link below. It should answer all your questions.
Also most of the major fuel suppliers explain temperature correction on their websites

http://www.aip.com.au/pdf/tempcorrect.pdf

Thanks for the info - it was quite interesting. One thing I did note was that the NT was well and truly above the national average for just about everything; this is something I would reasonably expect giving due consideration to the tropical climate.

But does it reasonably explain why a brand new petrol bowser would go straight up to 65c without recieving a drop of fuel? This bowser has supposedly been checked by technicians. At $1-30.9 per litre, BP Ultimate isn't exactly cheap.

And this has happened on quite a few occasions, and at different times of the day and night.

[Fixel]

:lol: It sounds like your bowsers have a 65c 'Flag Fall' fee like a taxis'

But seriously, have a look at which government department is responsible for weights and measures and report it to them.

[Nawdy]

:lol: It sounds like your bowsers have a 65c 'Flag Fall' fee like a taxis'.

:lol: - don't say this too loudly, someone might think it's a great idea!!! Next they'll introduce parking meters next to fuel bowsers too....just so local government doesn't miss out!!


But seriously, have a look at which government department is responsible for weights and measures and report it to them.

Already done Fixel - he talked about evaporation, but this was in the Alice Springs region. It's a lot hotter and drier down there than what Darwin is this time of year so I don't think that would be the cause?

Apparently there are problems in other sites as well that is currently being looked at, so it should be interesting what he comes back with this week. I am just a bit annoyed with the fuel distributor's attitude and lack of customer focus.

[Nawdy]

Just an update for those who are interested - I received a phone yesterday from the Weights and Measurements Dept of Consumer Affairs, they actioned out my complaint by checking out the fuel bowser in question - and immediately put an "Out of Order" sign on it, which could only be removed by a dept official. He said they verified my complaint as soon as the nozzle was lifted off the pump, and showed around $1.00!!!

The fuel distributors/owners in question have fitted some type of relief valve, and are considering fitting submersible pumps into their fuel tanks to try and stop this problem in the future. They also said that the BP Ultimate tanks are relatively empty.

Also, since BP Ultimate is trucked here from Adelaide, the distributors also claim that they were given a 'winter' batch of fuel and this is the root cause of the problems. Apparently they have organised for a 'summer' batch to be supplied but I'll take that with a grain of salt...

Anyway, at least we got some sort of action so we don't keep getting ripped off, it's just a pity it took something like this to be done for any action to be taken. And these distributors are now on the W & M dept watchlist...

[jsttry]

Careful mate, with all this added pressure they may give up with BP Ultimate and remove it from the Darwin market ;)

[ntae]

went to fill up at tc fuel and the pump has a sign on saying it broken so had to use upl

[BLACK 346]

went to fill up at tc fuel and the pump has a sign on saying it broken so had to use upl

As Tony said in his previous post, an out of order
sign has been placed on it. How does your car
run on PULP? There are about 5 other stations
around Darwin with the Ultimate, if you are
prepared to go for a short drive.

[PJK]

Also, since BP Ultimate is trucked here from Adelaide, the distributors also claim that they were given a 'winter' batch of fuel and this is the root cause of the problems. Apparently they have organised for a 'summer' batch to be supplied but I'll take that with a grain of salt...


I understand fuel volumes change with temperature but a 'Winter' batch causing the problem - what a load of horseshit - how about a F***ed petrol pump that they're happy to let people keep using full well knowing they're ripping people off.

[ntae]

As Tony said in his previous post, an out of order
sign has been placed on it. How does your car
run on PULP? There are about 5 other stations
around Darwin with the Ultimate, if you are
prepared to go for a short drive.


was a dig at tony for closing down the pump

filled up on ulp and logged 94% use of the high spark table from darwin to kath . who said muffless tunning needs 98 fuel :lol:

[Nawdy]

was a dig at tony for closing down the pump

filled up on ulp and logged 94% use of the high spark table from darwin to kath . who said muffless tunning needs 98 fuel :lol:

Careful Geoff or you'll cop a slapping :lol:

A muff less tune - what is that?? Or is it a hairy question? hehehehehe

[VYBerlinaV8]

I heard once that bowsers might read a few cents in hot weather cos the fuel in the line from the bowser to the nozzle evaporates (how it gets out I don't know), and the fuel rushing in the fill the line when you pick up the nozzle flows through the bowser and is measured.

I make no claims on the validity of this info, just though it was relevant!

[Kirium]

I've never had problems with the heat and pumps ringing up a few premature cents... I've had issues with heat and the tank overflowing when the pump doesn't shut off automatically.... once in darwin, once in hughenden (Qld) and once in townsville

[Esci]

A fellow motorcycle rider once managed to get 18 litres into a 17 litre tank once.....at least 18 litres acording to the bowser. Tank was independantly proven to only hold 17 from empty. So I guess it's not unknown for dodgy bowsers to exist.

Misreporting fuel flow by 5-10 percent can reap a nice reward for someone no doubt, and most road users would not notice. Cant say I looked that close, in the past anyhow.

[Fixel]

Last week I put 17 litres into a 1 1/2 Gallon can which only holds 5.7 litres (see why I like the can :) )

[Mongy]

as soon as the nozzle was lifted off the pump, and showed around $1.00!!!
The fuel distributors/owners in question have fitted some type of relief valve,
Yeh, one attached directly to your wallet :lol: