Mechanics specialising in diesel-engined cars are trying to cope with the sudden surge in diesel-engine fuel pump leaks, so much so that they are booked up till the end of November, motorists having to wait their turn to have their car pumps repaired, The Malta Independent has learnt.
This claim follows reports made by a number of diesel-powered vehicle owners to this newspaper who have been forced to take their vehicles for repairs after their fuel pumps sprang leaks.
The costs incurred by car owners to have their pump repaired could reach €130, according to a mechanic.
He said that for starters the pump is dismantled from the engine and the seals of the pump replaced, the pump practically undergoing a major overhaul.
Armchair car experts have alleged on social networks that at some point in time between the arrival of the fuel consignment to Malta and prior to the distribution of fuel to motorists by petrol stations, higher concentrations of biofuels were being blended in with the fuel, more than the maximum amount prescribed by the EU.
The EU’s EN 590 limits the blending of biodiesel to seven per cent by volume, known as the B7 standard.
However, this newspaper conducted an exercise to try to get to the bottom of what is causing such faults to diesel engine fuel pumps but the reasons given were various.
A number of mechanics confirmed when contacted that they had come across an unusual pattern of fuel pump repair works in the last month or so.
Asked if the faults in fuel pumps may be a result of higher doses of biodiesel being allegedly blended in with diesel fuel, more than the amount stipulated by the EU, some mechanics who spoke with this newspaper said that the majority of cases were a result of low sulphur level content, while others pinned it on high sulphur levels, but none ruled out the possibility that higher concentrations of biodiesel blended in with diesel could lead to mechanical faults, especially in old diesel engines.
One mechanic also suggested that the fuel has become so refined, that it could be posing a problem to fuel pumps of old vehicles.
In other words, due to the fact that in the past, the fuel was more polluting opposed to today, when fuel is more refined, the fuel pumps of old vehicles are experiencing leaks.
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel and is meant to be used in standard diesel which is blended with petrodiesel in limited proportions.
Blends of biodiesel and conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel are products most commonly distributed for use in the retail diesel fuel marketplace.
Four years ago, the same issue cropped up when allegations were made by car owners and mechanics who spoke to this newspaper contending that a substance had been added to Malta’s diesel supply after it was imported and before it was distributed to petrol stations, since the very same diesel is used across Europe but without creating the same consequences.
Enemalta says fuel is up to spec
An Enemalta spokesperson told this newspaper that recently a few car owners contacted the corporation and asked if damage to their vehicle’s fuel pump could be attributed to the quality of fuel provided by Enemalta or other local importers.
“Enemalta immediately commissioned an independent company to test its EN590 diesel which confirmed that all its parameters and specifications, including the biodiesel element, sulphur content and viscosity, are in line with EN590 standards.
“The biodiesel (FAME) element was found to be 3.3%, less than half the maximum permitted amount for this fuel. This means that the diesel fuel supplied in recent months was not in any way different to the one supplied by the corporation since 2011,” the spokesman said.
Contacted and asked if all fuel products supplied by Enemalta are tested, the spokesperson said that all fuel products are rigorously tested by independent laboratories before they are distributed to petrol stations.
Furthermore, the spokesman said that similar tests are periodically carried out by the Malta Resources Authority (MRA), the local regulator in this sector.
The spokesman emphasised that fuel stations that sell Enemalta’s fuel can be identified through the corporation’s logo displayed on the pumps.
“Enemalta will continue to ensure that its fuel products and services are fully compliant to all applicable quality standards,” the spokesman said.
Enemalta Corporation’s Petroleum Division is one of the importers authorised to import fuels to the Maltese islands.
Pump attendants supply what they receive
Meanwhile, the GRTU small business chamber’s fuel section president and petrol station owner Carlo Cini told this newspaper that “we supply customers with the fuel Enemalta supplies us with; in any case we don’t have any laboratories to test Enemalta’s fuel”.
He was replying to a question made by this newspaper as to whether it could be the case that fuel was allegedly being tampered with after Enemalta distributed the fuel.
Mr Cini pointed out that the older vehicles were the most susceptible to such faults.
Alfred Farrugia, from the Malta Automobile Club, said the higher the concentration of biofuels, the more likely vehicles encounter fuel pump problems.
But he explained that new vehicles were equipped to cope with such substances whereas older cars are not.
Last month, the government announced that the prices of unleaded and diesel fuel will be locked for three months, till the end of this year. The hedging pilot project was announced by Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi who said the government was committed to providing stability for families and businesses.