Team-BHP - Trusted/Untrusted Petrol Pumps in Pune

^^^So that bunk is risky too! Couple of months ago I had a very similar experience with the HP hunk on Karve Road. RPM dropped and idling and starting bike became very difficult. Took several top ups from Shell and RTO bunks to bring things back to normal.

Now I'm wondering if they are using similar stuff to adulterate at both these bunks.

This is serious. Why don't you lodge a formal complaint with BP immediately? I could not do this as my bike use is erratic and it took me more than couple of days to figure out that petrol was the issue as I was checking out other things. By then I lost the receipt and forgot the date and time, which they will surely want to know.

Actually I do not have any proof of purchase. I just filled 250 bucks worth (which is more than what was required) and rode off.
My bike usage is mainly on weekends too and it is over 7yrs old, but as I said, such behaviour is rare from it.

And I used to think the HP bunk is the better one of the three on Karve Road! Wonder whom to trust now ?

^^^As I have mentioned in earlier posts, I'v filled from that HP bunk many times in many years (but only small quantities in emergencies); and did not encounter such issues till that day. Maybe they don't adulterate on a regular basis. Or maybe the level of adulteration differs on different days... gawd knows.

I feel you could lodge a complaint even thought you didn't ask for a receipt and as long as you have the date and time with you. Sooner the better.

The only bunks I trust are the RTO bunk and Shell. Shell is not an option now due to price, and RTO is quite far for me. But whats the choice? Many have mentioned that Autolines on University Road is good. I'll be trying that one soon.

The bunk on Karve road is a NO GO! I filled there just once & my Elantra started giving white smoke on startup. The smoke almost smelled of kerosene! I had to retard my ignition timing to stock levels to prevent the knock sensors cutting in. I could'nt even overtake a bus without putting pedal to metal! I was unfortunate enough to have filled my tank to the brim. Over several days i added some 1.2 litres of acetone & only then she started behaving normally.

^^^You mean the HP bunk, right? You didn't lodge a complaint with HP??

Now I feel like going there and filling up just so that I can lodge a complaint and follow it up. But the thought of that stuff in my vehicles stops me... :Frustrati

Guys, no of us ranting about this here. The least we can do is lodge a complaint.

I was too busy being worried about my engines health & looking up remedies than to be complaning. I feel it is just a waste of time & energy. I mean the magnitude of adulteration & consequent monetary gains is so high that it is all permeating. Call me pessimistic but i believe more in 'better to be safe than sorry'.

^^^Well, the least we can do is to do our bit! Else no use ranting here, is it? And do you need a lot of time in lodging an online complaint?? Though, I was in the same state you were trying to figure out what went wrong. But now we know better. I wonder how much damage it has done to the engine. The thought of it makes me smoke... :Frustrati

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1self (Post 2755632)

I wish someone would sell some kind of 'fuel quality kit', something like litmus paper. He would be a millionaire!

Quoting from the following article: The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A simple test to check petrol quality

"After a demonstration was given to test the purity of petrol and diesel at Margadarsi Service Centre, Secunderabad, she said that one simple test for purity was two drops of petrol when put on a filter paper should evaporate without leaving a patch or stain."

From the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas site:

Checks for Petrol : Filter Paper Test

Clean the mouth of the nozzle to remove stains.
Put a drop of petrol on the filter paper from the nozzle
It should evaporate in about 2 minutes without leaving a stain on the filter paper. (If the area of the filter paper where the drop of MS was put, remains pinkish, it is the colour of the MS and not any stain)
If a stain is left on the filter paper, then there is a possibility of adulteration.

Cheers,
Vikram

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb (Post 2755710)

Checks for Petrol : Filter Paper Test

This would take about 5 mins for the testing to be done. Not to include the arguments with the pump guy for allowing to do the test.

As a consumer can we demand that we want to do this test before filling up??

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitwlele (Post 2757043)

Yes, it makes sense to do the testing before filling up only.

Also, if a pump owner is reluctant to let you test or argues about it, that fact itself should tell you all you need to know, i.e. the fuel is adulterated. In such a scenario, why waste time in arguments? Just start your vehicle and head to another pump. :)

Cheers,
Vikram

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb (Post 2757063)

Just start your vehicle and head to another pump. :)

Cheers,
Vikram

Yup that is true but at this rate i would end up not filling at any of the pumps. lol:

My experience has been that Shell is best but it has become way too expensive and HP pump in Hinjewadi seems to be next best option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitwlele (Post 2757076)

My experience has been that Shell is best but it has become way too expensive and HP pump in Hinjewadi seems to be next best option.

Well, I don't know where you stay/work, but there are several pumps where I fill/have filled petrol and diesel regularly, without any unwanted side effects [touchwood!]. They are Autolines HP, RTO BP, BP pump opposite Wadia College, Navi Peth BP, Kulkarni Petrol Pump, Dnyaneshwar Paduka Chowk BP, H'wadi Phase 2 BP, Gogte Pump BP [opp. Ranka on Karve rd], Pranav Service Station IOC [on Sinhgad Rd].

Disclaimer: I am not in any way recommending these outlets - I have not had a bad experience with these pumps, but there may be others who have a contrary opinion. So please do your due diligence before frequenting any of them! :)

Cheers,
Vikram

After hearing about the diesel "issue" with the Shell pump at Hinjewadi, I am a reluctant to fill up there now (have done full tanks twice before & not faced an issue). :)
This Saturday i will be on my way to Goa through Pune & if i were to fill up at Hinjewadi is the HP pump opposite Fortune Hotel better or the pump next to McDonalds & Mezza 9 better (don't know the brand).