Tamanrasset fuel update

[Chris Scott]

Agence Tarahist tell me:

>As for petrol and diesel: Yes there is an enormous problem
>for diesel in Tam. And it has been lasting for over a
>month. Tourists however are always able to get fuel. They
>may have to queue for a while but they will always get it.
>Petrol is no problem.

CS

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

[PanEuropean]

There is always Jet A1 available at the airport, this I know because I buy a lot of it (for a plane) from time to time.

Jet A1 is very close to automotive diesel in its formulation, the only problem is that it is 'drier' than auto diesel, therefore prolonged use of it in an auto engine causes accelerated wear on the fuel injection pump.

In a pinch, you can operate your diesel vehicle on jet fuel (a single tankful) without any concern. If you plan to use jet fuel for a long time (thousands of kilometres) then you need to add something to the jet fuel to increase the lubricity. This can either be a lubricity additive made specifically for the purpose, such as a Standayne product, or a 'ghetto' solution such as adding 1% motor oil by volume to the fuel tank.

I have driven company vehicles (Toyota Landcruisers) that have spent their entire life running on Jet A1 and 1% motor oil, and not suffered from it. One consolation is that you can be certain that the jet fuel is both cleaner and of higher quality than automotive fuel.

Stanadyne has an excellent web site with information about diesel fuel additives at this link: http://www.stanadyne.com/dsg/dsg_dfa.asp

You will, of course, have to come up with a way of persuading the NAFTAL employees (Algerian airport fuel delivery employees) to sell you Jet fuel. A personal gift, such as a pair of jet-fuel resistant gloves, etc. will go a long way. Also, be aware that the fuel delivery nozzle on aviation fuel trucks is very wide in diameter compared to an automotive fuel nozzle. It likely will not fit into a normal automotive fuel filler opening. So, you should be prepared to take delivery into a steel can (which you provide) that has a wide mouth, then you pour from that into your vehicle.

Hope this info helps.

[Chris Scott]

Petrol was generally OK apart from Bordj El H, but no diesel at Ideles or HbG on the way back, plus all the towns from El Oued to the border (but heaps at the border. And sometimes they wont fill non original containers like jerries without a police permit (easily obtained).

More Alg news on sahara-overland/news in a day or two.

Chris S