Opal Fuel

What changed on vehicles in 1995? Why is that year a "cut-off" of sorts?

I don't have any insight but I'm sure looking forward to seeing the replies to your question!

Gooday Scott , I think your spot on here & your done a good job to bring this up . It;s my understanding that what they have removed from the opal fuel is was lubricates seal etc in fuel systems . P.S was the mechanic Kirt ?
I have a good friend in Alice springs that runs a wrecking yard who clams fuel systems parts are his bigger sellers inc late model diesel engines .
good luck with your trip
cheers

Hi Scott
Sorry to hear you had problems with your vehicle, but it sounds like everything was great.
Thanks for sharing your story.

Wato

I would suggest anyone using his fuel to take an additive with them such as FLASH LUBE, there is a plenty of different brands , have a talk to your mechanic before your trip.

Hi Scott,

Without meaning to enter the Opal debate, it might be helpful to others with older petrol vehicles to tell of an intermittent problem we encountered a number of times before eventually solving it.

Like your vehicle, our old Troopy would loose power and, as you say, would run on less cylinders than it should. The problem was worse when you really needed power - or maybe it just seemed that way. It seemed to work perfectly when looking for the fault, and only failed when asked to work - almost as if raising the bonnet fixed it!

The solution - partially blocked fuel filter. A bad batch of fuel can really spoil your day. For our vehicle, filters cost less than $4 each, and nowadays we carry lots of spares! (And use them surprisingly often.)

Cheers

John

Scott Hi,
I am surprised that OPAL fuel would cause such problems after only such a small amount of fuel used.
I am presuming that You were on holidays and not an extended trip. Where were You getting the OPAL from?
I have used OPAL fairly extensively without any problems, admittedly a much later vehicle (06 Paj).
After all of the expenses and hassels hope You & Family enjoyed the trip.

Regards Mike.

G'day Scott
I don't know much about Opal fuel and have never used it but I think the following is a prudent course of action for anyone venturing away from the burbs on a trip.
If the vehicle has done a few KM it is likely/almost certain that the fuel pump has done some work and will not be in brand new or near new condition. Yours is a few years old.
Therefore to have a spare fuel pump carried outback is a really good thing to do and many people have the ability to help you change it if you can't. Minimal holdup and minimal cost, Far less than having it Uluru'ed.

It would seem the alternator malfunction would most likely be the wear on brushes. $10 for them to carry and even if the regulator failed it isn't a high cost. I know a few things like these precautionary measures have to be carried, but it will pay for itself tenfold when required.
The person who checked your vehicle for outback travel should have advised you of these possibilities or even checked the bearings and brushes in the Alt so they too were near new and not near walking stick condition.

I would ask a mechanic who checked a vehicle exactly what was checked and WHY if the answers are a bit shallow it may be necessary to get a couple of opinions from 4WD repair mechanics who actually think of things that will possibly give trouble so precautions can be taken

A few basic spares such as these are called insurance and when you have non the maximum ill effect is felt.

My view is a $200 or $300 would buy many of the things you seem to have required and possibly more sound advice and vehicle checking beforehand is also in order to maximize the fun and minimize the pain.

Ross M

Whilst on the 'spares' wagon, where do you stop?
Perhaps you should tow a spare car in case the wheels/transmission/engine/chassis/front diff/rear diff/alternator/starter/power steering pump/brake booster/radiator/washer bottle/steering wheel fall off.

You can prepare til your arse is on fire.
At the end of the day all cars stop. And sometimes we can do something about it.

Inconvenience (adventure?) is what the bush is all about.

RAA report into Opal vehicle faults

This might answer a few of your questions and give you some ideas for contacts if you still think it worthwhile pursuing. The report suggests that there appears to be no evidence of Opal causing problems in the cases the technicians were able to follow up.

Opal fuel eh ......... it is without a doubt comparable to the age old argument of split rims or tubeless, tyre pressures, Toyota vs Patrol and so on................
I wont say I am vastly experienced in Opal but I have lived and worked with it for many years now and was involved a little with BP when it was first introduced ....
My history with it:
In Maningrida and various other remote community's there was a big problem with sniffing, they got around it by using AVGAS, but, this eventually destroyed motors and exhausts, high in acid and other mean stuff, BP was asked to develop a non-sniffable fuel suitable for ALL petrol motors inc boats, in short the first stuff WAS nasty but un-sniffable, it damaged boat motors and made cars run crap, over time (10 years now from memory) they have developed it further and better, they actually refine the fuel far further and better than normal un-leaded and it has additives to counteract any power loss .............. I have since worked on communitys for 7 years that use it and have yet to see any direct connection with damage proved from Opal fuel.
So to put it fairly simply it does NOT damage engines, if ALL vehicle manufacturers, yes ALL, still are willing to offer FULL new car warranty including engines and fuel systems, on ALL there range then it MUST be safe, BP and the Govt researched it extensively and fully liaised with all MAJOR vehicle manufacturers to ensure it was suitable for new engines then it must be safe, BP is not stupid nor are the Major car makers, they simply would NOT cover the fuel if there was any slightest hint of developing problems in motors ...... they also have recently released yet a better blend (mid last year) and are constantly looking at ways to improve it.
Now a few facts I do admit, on older cars it seems they run slightly rougher, it does NOT suit really old petrols but really nor does standard un-leaded, it is actually a tad oilier than normal un-leaded and it WILL evaporate if you leave it out, how else does it work in a car :-) the bulk of complaint's come from small engine owners, that includes motor bikes as they don't go as well, stationary engines will foul up plugs quicker due to the "oily" make-up of it, I have never seen plastics or rubber rotted due to Opal, in old cars it most probably was already rotten, these people also tend to blame every problem in there car on it as they are peed off with there quad not running as well as it could.........
And .... it has completely changed some of the kids out there, it is a Massive problem and needs to be addressed further, one day we may well have a highly refined non sniffable fuel only, you wont be able to buy un-leaded, exactly the same as leaded fuel got phased out ......
Hope I have covered it, BP do have a good web site, check it out .... Opal fuel web site

If you can save one child's life by using it then it is worth it ......

Cheers
Joe

Sorry folks I'm going to be blunt. I moved to Alice 4.5 years ago and I can only say luckily I own a diesel. After 6 months of being here my lawn mower died, it was a 2 year old in immac condition when I got it here. The Honda whipper snipper died also, all clogged up.

I will never ever use Opal in a car here. My kids (17 + 19) are feeling the pain of $1.80 per liter for Premium however its better than trashing an engine.

Government will tell you that Opal is fine, then again they drive government cars and dont pay the bills.

I know folks from Alice that will go to Uluru and back carrying Jerry cans as they refuse to fill up on the way, I kid you not....

I know this message wont help but I feel your pain... I really do..

Pete