AA Zone

Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel

Fuel contamination

Original Post

My 10 month old Outlander broke down nearly 3 months ago. Brindley Mitsubishi told me they replaced the turbo but the car was still not right. A week later they tried to bill me nearly 2k and said it was fuel contamination from the petrol station and not covered under warranty. I phoned my insurance and they said they needed proof from the garage that it was fuel contamination. Brindley refused to test the fuel so I became suspicious. I went to the garage to see ask to see the turbo on a Saturday but they said they couldnt find it. I went back in the week and then they wouldnt let me see the old turbo and even refused when I asked to see my car. As a result I had to arrange a tow truck to get the car from them and speak to Mitsubishi UK. They have backed Brindley. They eventually told my insurance that the fuel is grossly contaminated with water ( the sample I have is dark blue/black with no seperation what you would see if mixed with water ) I have a recorded conversation with the service manager who told me the turbo was damaged as a result of the contamination but now they are saying they didnt replace it. They had my car for over 2 weeks and still refuse to tell me what they did to it. I have had to reply under the data protection act. I have copies of their e-mails to the HQ tech servive dept. Interestingly they said at the time the turbo was OK. The very one they told me was damaged. The car is now being fixed through my insurance at another Mitsubishi dealer but they dont know what they are doing either. They have told me twice the car was fixed but then find more faults. The cost so far is approx £4500.00.
I am 1000% certain they fuel is not contaminated from Tesco as we have another diesel car which we fill up at the same station and it has no problems. Has any other Mitsubishi owner had the same problem. In a recession it is very easy way out for manufacturers to avoid paying the bills themselves.