Gasoline adulterated with naphtha becomes the target of an operation and puts drivers on alert with the risk of burned-out fuel pumps, corroded injectors, clogged catalytic converters, and destroyed engines.

Written by Viviane Alves

Published on 30/05/2026 at 15:06

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Operation Hidden Carbon exposes fuel adulteration scheme and reveals signs that may indicate serious vehicle damage after refueling

The new phase of the Operation Hidden Carbon, carried out on Thursday (28), revealed a criminal scheme involving fuel fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.

Investigators identified the diversion of imported naphtha, a petroleum derivative with reduced taxation, which was illegally sold as regular gasoline for vehicles.

Reports from experts heard by g1 indicate that the adulteration can cause loss of power, increased consumption, mechanical failures, and permanent engine damage.

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Low octane turns adulterated fuel into a threat to the engine

Tenório Júnior, an automotive mechanic technician and professor, explained that naphtha has characteristics similar to gasoline but presents lower octane.

This condition favors combustion failures and significantly reduces vehicle performance.

Rogério Gonçalves, director of fuels at the Automotive Engineering Association (AEA), highlighted that even small amounts of the substance can compromise engine operation.

Speed recoveries, overtaking, and more intense accelerations usually highlight the first symptoms of contamination.

More severe cases can result in irreversible damage to the internal components of the mechanical assembly.

Weak engine, light on, and strange smell are among the main alerts

Bruno Bandeira, mechanic and owner of the Na Garagem Mechanical Workshop, stated that the adulteration affects practically all components that come into contact with the fuel.

Fuel pump, injectors, catalyst, and cylinders are among the parts most vulnerable to the problem.

Symptoms usually appear a few hours after refueling.

An unusual smell coming from the tank or exhaust represents one of the first signs observed by specialists.

Turning on the electronic injection light also deserves immediate attention, especially when it occurs right after leaving the station.

Sudden changes in fuel consumption may reinforce the suspicion of adulteration.

Engine compartment of a modern car with battery, hoses, reservoirs, and intake system visible, illustrating parts that may suffer damage caused by fuel adulterated with naphtha or methanol. — Engine components and fuel system can be affected by adulterated fuels, increasing the risk of mechanical failures and losses to the vehicle owner.

Real case shows extent of damage caused by irregular mixture

A Volkswagen Nivus 2023 fueled with adulterated fuel needed extensive mechanical intervention.

The repair required the disposal of 40 liters of contaminated fuel.

Three fuel injectors showed corrosion.

The fuel pump lost working pressure.

The filter became completely clogged.

The catalyst suffered blockage due to the accumulation of residues from improper combustion.

Analyses conducted during the repair identified the presence of particles that prevented the normal functioning of the exhaust system.

Methanol causes similar effects and increases mechanical risks

Information from the operation indicates that fuels linked to the investigated scheme contained up to 90% methanol in the composition.

Bruno Bandeira highlighted that the damage caused by methanol is similar to those observed in cases involving naphtha.

Fuel injectors, fuel rail, combustion chamber, valve guides, and pressure pumps may suffer progressive corrosion.

Accumulation of internal residues favors mechanical lockups and hinders engine operation.

Morning starts tend to become more difficult as contamination progresses.

Loss of power and increased consumption help identify the fraud

Orli Robalo, a mechanic from Porto Alegre, explained that adulterated fuels alter the reading of the vehicle’s electronic sensors.

Sensor failures often result in warning lights on the dashboard.

Denis Marum, a mechanic with a degree in mechanical engineering, pointed out that loss of power is among the most frequent symptoms.

Slow accelerator response, significant increase in consumption, and difficulties in reaching usual speeds tend to appear quickly.

Abnormal noises during starts and climbs can also indicate problems related to inadequate combustion.

Smells similar to solvent or kerosene complete the list of signs observed by specialists.

The presence of these symptoms reinforces the importance of stopping the use of the vehicle and seeking technical evaluation before the damage becomes permanent.

Do many drivers manage to identify these signs in time to avoid damages that could cost thousands of reais?

Gasoline adulterated with naphtha becomes the target of an operation and puts drivers on alert with the risk of burned-out fuel pumps, corroded injectors, clogged catalytic converters, and destroyed engines.

Operation Hidden Carbon exposes fuel adulteration scheme and reveals signs that may indicate serious vehicle damage after refueling

Low octane turns adulterated fuel into a threat to the engine

Weak engine, light on, and strange smell are among the main alerts

Real case shows extent of damage caused by irregular mixture

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Gasoline adulterated with naphtha becomes the target of an operation and puts drivers on alert with the risk of burned-out fuel pumps, corroded injectors, clogged catalytic converters, and destroyed engines.

Operation Hidden Carbon exposes fuel adulteration scheme and reveals signs that may indicate serious vehicle damage after refueling

Low octane turns adulterated fuel into a threat to the engine

Weak engine, light on, and strange smell are among the main alerts

Real case shows extent of damage caused by irregular mixture

Discord ceases to be just a chat app for gamers and becomes a hub for investigating the sale of videos with animal cruelty.

Methanol causes similar effects and increases mechanical risks

Loss of power and increased consumption help identify the fraud

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Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has ceased to be a climatic phenomenon and has become a biological system that feeds on itself, with 8,000 kilometers in length, 37 million tons of algae, and scientists confirm that it is now permanent.

A British company has installed in the middle of the ocean the world’s first floating platform that generates electricity 24 hours a day from the temperature difference between the surface and the depths of the Atlantic, without relying on wind or sun.

China is building an artificial island in the middle of the sea, covering 20 km², to construct the largest offshore airport in the world, the Dalian Jinzhouwan. This $4.3 billion project is anchored on more than 3,000 pillars embedded in the rock beneath the ocean and is scheduled to open in 2035.

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