Out of order bowsers at a large petrol station

magiccar9 said :

bigred said :

Happens quite often on Sundays. The silver lining is that you can be sure you are getting fresh fuel. Fuel “going off” is becoming quite an issue for some modern engines, especially motorbikes.

You may be getting “fresh fuel” but what about the people who have filled up with the filth from the bottom of the tank before the stations close the pumps? They should never be allowed to get to the stage where the pump is closed. If the service station can’t manage their fuel levels to make sure they have enough supply, you’ve really got to wonder about using them….

I buy diesel, premium unleaded and ordinary unleaded there for a variety of uses ranging from mower to motorbike. Never had a problem even when they have run low and pretty much use this servo exclusively. Have had some problems when used other servos.

Loxmyf said :

I’ve spoken to the attendant there and was told they’re setting up for the tanks to be upgraded, but the upgrade time frame seems fairly loose. I’ve asked twice now (months apart) and was told finished by August 2014, and more recently starting February 2015. I’ll believe it when I see it.

That doesn’t explain why there is no LPG there, as the LPG tank is above ground.

Rollersk8r said :

Happens all the time there. I have heard some stations do this on purpose at particular times, even when they’re not running out.

However, in the case of Weston, I think it’s just the only petrol station around. Next closest is Curtin, Chifley or Mawson; of which none are easy alternatives, unless you’re going that way. Plus Weston is now the closest for all the new suburbs down Cotter Road.

There used to be loads more suburban petrol stations in Canberra generally. And they used to change hands/companies all the time, especially that one at Weston. And then Woolworths and Coles ate them all…

Someone correct me – I assume there was also a general push to get petrol stations out of the suburbs??

Ah the old blame Woolworths and Coles line. For starters Coles owns NO service stations. They have entered into a co branding agreement with Shell who own the sites or franchised them out to private owners.

Woolworths for the most part do the same except with Caltex. Woolworths do of course own some of their own sites about 10% of all co branded Woolworths/Caltex servos.

There are also a number of privately owned Caltex servos around in Canberrra gold creek and the airport servo (near the terminal) are privates branded Caltex. It is then up to the owner if they wish to cobrand with Woolworths.

If you are going to blame anyone for the demise of smaller servos blame Shell, Caltex, Mobil and BP. In the past the smaller servos were privately owned (including what is now Caltex Weston Creek). Owners negotiated a branding and supply agreement with oil companies. The. The oil companies decided more money was to be made by increasing throughput through their own sites so made it harder and more expensive for private operators. Many shut and others sold to the oil companies (not the supermarkets).

In the case of Weston Creek the owner was Barry Morris of Moris property developments they also owned the franchise to Mobil Braddon and pink pump at Fyshwick. I believe they sold Weston to Caltex some years back now.

But yeah all the fault of Coles and Woolwoths!

Loxmyf said :

Sorry WestonLocal, my reply doesn’t help with your query. It is in response to the reply mentioning Jamison.

I’ve spoken to the attendant there and was told they’re setting up for the tanks to be upgraded, but the upgrade time frame seems fairly loose. I’ve asked twice now (months apart) and was told finished by August 2014, and more recently starting February 2015. I’ll believe it when I see it.

The whole service station is being closed and upgraded. Cannot see any reason they would need to do anything in advance of that.

magiccar9 said :

bigred said :

Happens quite often on Sundays. The silver lining is that you can be sure you are getting fresh fuel. Fuel “going off” is becoming quite an issue for some modern engines, especially motorbikes.

You may be getting “fresh fuel” but what about the people who have filled up with the filth from the bottom of the tank before the stations close the pumps? They should never be allowed to get to the stage where the pump is closed. If the service station can’t manage their fuel levels to make sure they have enough supply, you’ve really got to wonder about using them….

I’m not about the ‘gunk at the bottom of the tank’ thing, either for service stations or in individual vehicles. The pump pickup (for both servo and vehicle tanks) picks up from the bottom of the tank anyway, so regardless of the fuel level the fuel being pumped out is coming from the bottom of the tank.

This is why we have fuel filters in cars, although even then it’s still possible to get a bad batch.

bigred said :

Happens quite often on Sundays. The silver lining is that you can be sure you are getting fresh fuel. Fuel “going off” is becoming quite an issue for some modern engines, especially motorbikes.

You may be getting “fresh fuel” but what about the people who have filled up with the filth from the bottom of the tank before the stations close the pumps? They should never be allowed to get to the stage where the pump is closed. If the service station can’t manage their fuel levels to make sure they have enough supply, you’ve really got to wonder about using them….

Happens quite often on Sundays. The silver lining is that you can be sure you are getting fresh fuel. Fuel “going off” is becoming quite an issue for some modern engines, especially motorbikes.

Sorry WestonLocal, my reply doesn’t help with your query. It is in response to the reply mentioning Jamison.

I’ve spoken to the attendant there and was told they’re setting up for the tanks to be upgraded, but the upgrade time frame seems fairly loose. I’ve asked twice now (months apart) and was told finished by August 2014, and more recently starting February 2015. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Happens all the time there. I have heard some stations do this on purpose at particular times, even when they’re not running out.

However, in the case of Weston, I think it’s just the only petrol station around. Next closest is Curtin, Chifley or Mawson; of which none are easy alternatives, unless you’re going that way. Plus Weston is now the closest for all the new suburbs down Cotter Road.

There used to be loads more suburban petrol stations in Canberra generally. And they used to change hands/companies all the time, especially that one at Weston. And then Woolworths and Coles ate them all…

Someone correct me – I assume there was also a general push to get petrol stations out of the suburbs??

The servo at Jaminson has had nearly all its bowsers closed for almost a year. Even the LPG. But they still sell E90 or what ever they call it now. Me thinks it could be in closing down mode.