|
7 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: where the truck is stopped!
Posts: 120
|
|
Fuel quality in West Africa
What is the fuel quality like elsewhere in West Africa? I'm running diesel if that makes any difference.
Here in Sierra Leone the fuel is FILTHY. Bad enough to plug up my "Mr. Funnel" in less than 20 gallons sometimes! The pump attendants always say their fuel is clean until they see the crap in the filter. The regular guy is always interested now to see just how dirty the latest batch of fuel is.
Is it just as bad in some of the other countries like Senegal, Mauritania or Morocco?
|
7 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
|
|
It varies. I have had "black diesel" in Mauretania.
|
7 Dec 2012
|
-
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
|
|
Quote:
=cruiser guy;403184 The pump attendants always say their fuel is clean until they see the crap in the filter.
|
Make them an offer isfthey say that!
$10 for you if there is no dirt in my funnel BUT free fill up for me if there is !
And they'll leave you alone to use your filter.
Morocco - never had a problem
Mauritania and Mali - it fluctuates wildly
Senegal- don't know
Mr Filter is a great piece of kit especially when there are those around who water their fuel down in bidons ....
IMHO, prevention is way better than cure.
|
8 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: where the truck is stopped!
Posts: 120
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand
Make them an offer isfthey say that!
$10 for you if there is no dirt in my funnel BUT free fill up for me if there is !
And they'll leave you alone to use your filter.
Morocco - never had a problem
Mauritania and Mali - it fluctuates wildly
Senegal- don't know
Mr Filter is a great piece of kit especially when there are those around who water their fuel down in bidons ....
IMHO, prevention is way better than cure.
|
It sounds like Mr. Funnel will be busy at least till we hit Morocco! The complaint I get all the time is "It's too strainful!" I'll grant that as the filter gets loaded with dirt the fuel flow slows and diesel tends to bubble and get air entrainment all the time as well. I've taken the pump handle and filled up myself when they start complaining too much.
Like you say, prevention is better than cure.
|
10 Dec 2012
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 105
|
|
i only had issues in ghana (unleaded). but i was living/studying there so many fill ups. my mechanic there recommended using premium but towards the end you couldn't buy it anywhere. had no problems with togo, benin, nigeria and cameroon. but as i said that was only unleaded
|
30 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
|
|
Have to say, I always filled up in the TOTAL stations in Sierra Leone, bought over 700 litres over a period of days (for a truck), can't say there was any issues......I have a racor filter to spin the water off, then 2 fuel filters before the lift pump.....also a guaze filter at the pick up in the tank to trap any large rubbish........at all filter changes they have been no worse than European fuel in terms of the state the filters are in.
But I only buy diesel in TOTAL or SHELL stations or another 'reputable' place (if there is such a thing with fuel companies!)
Nigeria is the only country in W Africa we had really dirty diesel, like somebody said, almost black, clogged the filters pretty quick.
|
8 Jan 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
|
|
There are different sizes of the Mr Funnel Prefilters. The big one is pretty quick when the fuel is good. In Namibia the fuel starts to be good - runs trough extremly quickly (shell).
Execpt of one time in Marocco i have always used the Mr Funnel prefilter.
Only once in Congo, they sent me away (shell) because of the gasstation was really busy.
If the fuel wasnt good it need more time for filtering. We often had 30min Pitstops for 100l - but better that than crap in the tanks.
I alway hold the prefilter, while the guys filled the filter. And i always give a very good tip (afterwards). This may help you - they loves the travellers with the prefilters now ;-)
There was only once viewable parts inside of the prefilter, as we filled from canisters.
Sometimes the diesel was yellow, sometimes black - but never viewable part - while refilling from a Gasstation. We had to replace the Dieselfilter in Angola once, and the filter between tank and additional tank was also full with dirt.
So i would use the MrFunnel again, when driving in africa.
Maybe it is overkill on Total or Shell fuel stations - but - i enjoy to know, that i don't have to replace the diesel filter severall times on the way.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|