YET more motorists have contacted the Echo claiming suspected contaminated diesel from Tesco damaged their cars – as the first round of tests on the fuel are “inconclusive.”

The supermarket giant is carrying out an ‘urgent investigation’ after scores of drivers reported problems after filling up at the Branksome forecourt on Thursday.

An official spokesman said their initial tests had proved inconclusive and further samples were being tested, with results expected today, Tuesday.

He urged people experiencing problems after buying diesel at the Branksome filling station to get in touch with Tesco customer services on 0800 505555, although he was unable to say how many people had complained so far.

Some of those affected are facing huge bills with no clear idea of when or if Tesco’s insurers will come up with the cash.

Robbie Studwick, 22, from Southbourne has been told he is to expect a £5,000 bill to repair his Toyota Avensis, and is having to hire a van to keep up his photobooth hire business. He told the Echo he had been told to “keep his receipts”.

“I don’t think Tesco know where they are with this,” he added. “They are still carrying out tests but in my opinion it’s their fuel that has caused this damage to my car – why should I be out of pocket, even temporarily. What about people who can’t afford it in the first place?”

Jim Anderson from Ferndown said his Jaguar XF started having problems after he filled up on Thursday evening. He doesn’t want to drive it again and was frustrated at the ‘lack of help from Tesco’, adding: “There is no number for Tesco Branksome. I am going to get a car and drive down there. I am very annoyed. It was the best car I’ve ever had so I’m pretty upset about it.”

The news has left some saying they will avoid the station in the future.

Nurse Jill Kelly from Poole told the Echo: “I will never ever fill up at Tesco again.”

The diesel was still off at Tesco Branksome Filling Station yesterday.

Contamination: the effects

SO what can contaminated diesel do to a car? It depends on the contaminant and the car of course – but we spoke to Richard Clemons at Electro Diesel in Newtown, Poole, to give us a general idea.

He told the Echo they had already had a few enquiries from motorists affected. He said contaminated fuel could impact the entire fuel system – including the pump, injectors, filter and fuel lines, and even the fuel tank if it is metal. To replace the expensive parts could easily cost £4,000. While the car was likely to conk out, if it ran for long enough it could even result in damage to the engine.

“It’s a nightmare,” he added.

“It can cause a lot of damage to the fuel system and there’s no timescale you can put on repairs.

“Most of the parts are so expensive you don’t keep them on the shelf. You’d have to buy parts in.”