Another 2.2 Direct with loss of power...

**Flaninacupboard** · 8th April 2009, 14:16

First started just after christmas, i would get a sharp loss of power (feels like a misfire) when hitting about 5,000rpm (not something i normally do). First couple of times the car would continue to function fine. Sometime in february it did it again, but this time gave me the EML, so in it went. After checking on here and seeing the story in the paper, realise i need a new high pressure fuel pump. dealer diagnosed faulty fuel regulator, the pump seems fine. all appeared well, until saturday when i decided to check if it really was ok, and sure enough first time i went over 5,000 rpm EML. It's gone back today and had another fuel regulator fitted, along with a new high pressure pump. just glad i wasn't paying for it, and hope it's a revised pump that's been fitted. does anyone know if i could verify that? not even sure where the pump is situated.

**Penfold101** · 8th April 2009, 14:21

Thank goodness for the forum... Again...

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 8th April 2009, 14:22

Maybe its the supermarket fuel you are using

**Flaninacupboard** · 8th April 2009, 16:22

That makes no sense whatsoever. i have been using supermarket (it used to be a safeway, now a waitrose) fuel since i got my licence. if supermarket fuel killed cars in 25,000 miles (all mine has done) it would be a pretty big deal! i think it's far more likely that a known design fault with a part that has now been revised is the more likely culprit.

**gibbon7000** · 8th April 2009, 23:13

My old mans 2.2 direct signum has been suffering from the same problem, took it back to stealers as under warranty and they have changed the high pressure fuel pump hth

Edit: just read your thread properly and looks like you have already had the high pressure fuel pump replaced

**Flaninacupboard** · 9th April 2009, 09:39

Yep, little frustrating as i was able to walk in and tell them the problem but of course tech2 knows better!! Just wanted to post up my experience to keep the topic alive for any other 2.2 owners having trouble.

**Roadhog** · 21st April 2009, 23:51

Originally Posted by Flaninacupboard

That makes no sense whatsoever.

It may not be the reason why certain things fail, but supermarket fuel is only 95% petrol, the other 5% is ethanol. Thats why its cheaper than fuel from the likes of Shell and BP.

**Big Dave** · 22nd April 2009, 00:59

Originally Posted by Roadhog

It may not be the reason why certain things fail, but supermarket fuel is only 95% petrol, the other 5% is ethanol. Thats why its cheaper than fuel from the likes of Shell and BP.

Seeing as all fuel comes from the same refineries, with the drivers putting in the required additives depending who they're collecting it for (they used to use a swipe card system where it did this automatically - not sure if they still do). The only difference with supermarket fuel and the branded fuels is what additives are put in when it is collected by the tanker driver.

A quick google seems to confirm this.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/po...t=6701&m=67305

Also, guess which petrol manufacturer supplies Sainsburys - correct, BP.

http://www.petrolprices.com/sainsburys.html

At the end of the day all fuel has to meet a BS Standard or they wouldn't be allowed to sell it.

**Roadhog** · 22nd April 2009, 01:59

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Seeing as all fuel comes from the same refineries, with the drivers putting in the required additives depending who they're collecting it for (they used to use a swipe card system where it did this automatically - not sure if they still do). The only difference with supermarket fuel and the branded fuels is what additives are put in when it is collected by the tanker driver.

A quick google seems to confirm this.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/po...t=6701&m=67305

Also, guess which petrol manufacturer supplies Sainsburys - correct, BP.

http://www.petrolprices.com/sainsburys.html

At the end of the day all fuel has to meet a BS Standard or they wouldn't be allowed to sell it.

If ethanol is added to the fuel, it is therefore one of the additives. I stand by my previous post. Certain cars dont run well on supermarket fuels, but do run well on main brand fuels. It may come from the same refinery, but with different levels of different additives, it becomes a different variant of the original fuel. Its the same with many things - Weetabix make ownbrand wheat biscuits for supermarkets, but they taste slightly different. Engine oils vary too, yet they are probably refined at the same place. It doesnt mean that any of these products don't meet a particular standard, just that they are slightly different. The diesel you buy between April and September is different to that which you buy between October and March. The difference is the addition of an anti-waxing additive. Still complies to the same BS standard, but the percentage of diesel to additive changes.

**johnmac** · 22nd April 2009, 10:37

I have a 2004 2.2 Direct and my high pressure pump went at around 50k miles.....suddenly.It was replaced under warranty.....then the O2 sensor (?) went immediately after

Glad I wasnt paying either......10k later my engine seized

Unrelated, but replaced under Waranty. Love the 2.2 Direct

As for the supermarket fuel debate,

http://www.carbibles.com/fuel_engine_bible_pg2.html

Its an interesting read