02/03/2007

Results due on petrol tests

The results of tests carried out on fuel have failed to establish conclusively the cause for a rash of failures of oxygen sensors on engine management systems.

Motorists were left with repair bills of hundreds of pounds and it was suspected that a batch of contaminated fuel may have been responsible for the engine problems in vehicles in the south and east of England.

Trading Standards are to continue testing fuel samples and although traces of silicone was discovered in petrol taken from some of the cars affected, suppliers have stressed that this is not in excess of permissible levels in fuel.

Most of the cars affected experienced problems with the oxygen sensors, which determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine.

The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine.

(EF/SP)

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