Update: Tesco drains filling station tanks (From Witney Gazette)

Update: Tesco drains filling station tanks

TESCO is draining tanks at its Oxfordshire filling stations after dozens of motorists complained about breakdowns in the 'faulty fuel' fiasco.

The supermarket giant announced the move last night after finding traces of silicon in unleaded petrol at several of its forecourts across the south east.

And it also pledged to help stricken motorists after thousands across the country complained their cars had started to run badly or breakdown.

It is thought silicon has contaminated some unleaded petrol supplies and has been responsible for damaging oxygen sensors in cars - leading to the mass outbreak of breakdowns.

About 30 motorists in Oxfordshire had complained to the county's trading standards departments - with some facing repair bills of up to £400.

Car parts supplier Express Factors in Peterley Road, Cowley, Oxford, reported a fivefold increase in sales of oxygen sensors from ten a week to ten a day.

Scientists last night also confirmed finding silicon in unleaded fuel they had tested, a few hours before Tesco's own findings.

Tesco has sites in Cowley in Oxford, Didcot, Abingdon, Bicester and Banbury.

A Tesco spokesman said the massive operation draining fuel tanks at its South East sites and refilling them would take until Monday.

He said: "Our own tests at a number of unleaded fuel tanks at Tesco forecourts in the South East show much lower levels of silicon than those detected (by trading standards scientists).

"On a precautionary basis we have decided to empty these tanks and refill them with new fuel, which has been tested and is uncontaminated by silicon."

The other supermarket chain implicated in the problem, Morrisons, suspended unleaded sales at 41 of its petrol stations, but that did not include its Banbury site.

Motorist Matthew Caltsworthy, 29, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, has had to pay about £250 to have his fuel tank drained and a new sensor fitted in his Vauxhall.

The kitchen designer said: "I'm really, really frustrated. I can't do any appointments and can't see customers."

Another driver, Philip Ewer, of Old Road, Headington, has a bill for £440 for problems he was told were caused by contaminated fuel.

The Tesco spokesman said the chain would be trying to help stricken motorists.

"We understand the inconvenience this incident has caused to some of our customers and would like to assure them that our priority now is to help them get their vehicles back on the road and to deal with their complaints," he said.

"We would ask any customers who have experienced a problem with their car following a purchase of unleaded petrol from Tesco to contact our freephone helpline on 08000 286428."