Bill Sheather, Managing Director of Fitch® Fuel Catalyst Australia P/L has a story to tell about his dealings with the NRMA, CHOICE Magazine and the Office of Fair Trading. People are starting to listen...

This week Mr. Sheather was interviewed by both Murray Wilton of 2UE am radio Sydney, New South Wales and Jeff Burzacott of FIVEaa am radio Adeleide, South Australia.  Other interviewers are starting to take note of Mr. Sheather's story.  It's a story that needs to be told because Australians have a lot to gain if what Mr. Sheather claims that the Fitch Fuel Catalyst can do.

There's no question that customer protection organizations like CHOICE Magazine, the Office of Fair Trading and the NRMA with their reports and recommendations are a good thing most of the time.  Australians want to know that scam artists are not allowed to run riot, but what happens when a legitimate Australian business owner comes up against them after being, arguably, unfairly judged?

The more one looks into this story the more disturbing it is.

When I talked with Bill the first time I thought he was a little bit too excited about his product, which made me somewhat suspicious at first.  But he came across as an honest man.  After getting to know him better, and after hearing his story, I have found that he's just your average "Aussie bloke" (and an Automotive Engineer, mind you) with a lot of knowledge about cars and trucks who believes in what he's selling.  After learning how his business has gone after the NRMA's report on fuel saving devices came out, I, as a business owner myself, became very angry that Bill hasn't had a chance to clear his name with the Office of Fair Trading, nor the NRMA and CHOICE Magazine.  (Note that neither the NRMA nor CHOICE Magazine have ever contacted Mr. Sheather directly in any case.)  It could just as easily be your or me.

I want to tell Bill's story.

When I first spoke with Bill to find out about the Fitch Fuel Catalysts that he was selling I thought it sounded too good to be true, like anyone who's been around for a while.  Nevertheless, there was so much on the net about the positive results that people were achieving with Fitch Fuel Catalysts in all manner of applications that I wanted to find out more and then see for myself.

A couple of years ago Today Tonight (a TV program) did a story on the Fitch Fuel Catalyst that really put Fitch on the map here in Australia.  They did their own tests and investigations into the product and came up with positive results that they shared on their program.  As a result sales skyrocketed for Bill and his business partner at the time.  Positive testimonials and word of mouth carried business along nicely.  Business was booming.

Sometime in 2006, in order to support sales efforts Mr. Sheather decided to get official certification in Australia for the Fitch Fuel Catalyst.  He began by approaching the NRMA, sending them a Fitch for them to test.  The NRMA advised him that they did not have appropriate testing facilities to test the product, and suggested that he approach the AAA (Automotive Association of Australia) to get the product tested.

When Mr. Sheather contacted the AAA he asked the AAA official if he would be willing to fit a Fitch to his vehicle so that he would know that it worked.  Strangely, the AAA official said that he wouldn't do that.  Bill asked him why.  The AAA representative replied, "Because I don't believe it works."  Bill, stunned, said, "I don't understand how a man in your position, in your position of influence, can say that."  The AAA official remained resolute and Mr. Sheather said goodbye.

Undaunted, Mr. Sheather again contacted the AAA to find out what he would have to do to get it tested.  The AAA organised the test, which was meant to be performed by a NATA (National Australian Transportation Authority) approved testing facility.  The cost of the test was approximately $20,000.  Mr. Sheather had to pay 3/4 of the cost and the AAA covered 1/4 of the cost.  The AAA did everything, including picking the testing facility, picking the cars to be fitted and organising the test.  The two test vehicles chosen were:  a late model Ford AF Focus and an earlier model Toyota Hi-Ace with Lean Burn Technology.

The day of the test came.  Bill happened to be in the area attending an Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers conference and so skipped out for long enough to inspect the installations after they were fitted by the testing engineer.  Everything looked good, so he then headed back for a round of golf that was part of the IAME conference.  (I've learned that Bill does like his golf!  He tells me that though he had never fit the Hi-Ace he had fit many on the Focus with excellent results.  He says that he had no reason to think that it would go anything but well.  And, as I said before, the golf game was calling!

The testing facility tested the vehicles and didn't find a substantial improvement in either fuel savings or harmful emissions reduction.  When Bill got the results he was shocked.  He contacted the testing facility and asked the engineer whether he made sure to clear the computer's short-term memory during installation.  The engineer replied, "What do you mean?"  He had not in fact followed this critical installation procedure.  Mr. Sheather explained to me that it is essential to clear the short-term memory of the on-board computer because with a Fitch fitted the fuel burns more fully and so the oxygen sensor detects a sudden change and interprets this as though the engine is running lean.  The computer compensates by injecting more fuel.   The result is that the positive effect of fitting a Fitch is nulified by the computer.  He knew exactly what the problem had been with the Ford, but he wasn't sure about the Hi-Ace.  In any case he did not have a chance to check the vehicles to see what might have been the cause of the unusually poor rusults.

Bill explained that the computer usually learns the new fuel supply after 500kms (sometimes more and usually much less) of driving, but if you clear the on-board computer's capacitor you see the results nearly straight away.

All appeals to have the test repeated were ignored.  The response to Mr. Sheather was that he would have to come up with another $20,000 to have the test repeated, which he didn't have after already stretching financially to front up with approximately $15,000 for the first test.

The plot thickens...

I'd like to remind the readers at this point that "The commercialization of the Fitch Fuel Catalyst is a direct result of a collaborative Research Program with the Department of Defense and accredited State University that proves the Fitch Fuel Catalyst modifies fuel." (from the APSI's website.)  All of what follows is based on the results of a single test on two cars by a single automobile Mechanic in one testing facility (that was later found to not be NATA approved for emissions testing in the first place, but that's another story).

Also, keep in mind that Bill Sheather himself has been an Automotive Engineer since 1964, working in his own automotive repair business for many years.  Mr. Sheather knew what his product was doing for 100's of Australian motorists who had already purchased Fitch Fuel Catalysts and wanted to have another chance to prove it.

What happened next was the beginning of untold grief for Bill, his family and even Advanced Power Systems Internation, the company behind the Fitch Fuel Catalyst.

The Fitch Fuel Catalyst has undergone dozens of tests by third party private as well as government organisations, magazines and individuals around the world (some of which are found here) showing fantastic results, but here's what happened in this single test by a single mechanic on two vehicles that has been the basis of all of the damaging reports by the NRMA, the NSW Office of Fair Trading and CHOICE Magazine:

The NRMA did their own research about the growing number of fuel saving devices on the Australian market claiming to save fuel, increase power, reduce engine wear and reduce harmful emissions using various approaches with a mind to debunk fraudulent claims.  Incredibly, the NRMA didn't even contact Mr. Sheather, nor did it perform its own tests before coming out with their report entitled:  "NRMA warning on fuel saving device - NRMA Motoring & Services".

Mr. Sheather is mystified by the fact that the NRMA never even had the decency to call him to find out more about Fitch.  He insists that he would have loved to have given them a unit to test, but instead the NRMA report was released and started to do its damage on Fitch sales both here in Australia and internationally.

To make matters even worse, the NSW Office of Fair Trading then wrote a warning for Australian consumers to be wary of claims made by those selling fuel saving devices around australia, even naming Fitch Fuel Catalysts because they had been shown to not work AS REPORTED BY THE NRMA!!!! 

THEN, CHOICE Magazine made their own totally unresearched warning to watch out for fuel saving devices such as the Fitch Fuel Catalysts which was shown to not work IN THE NRMA REPORT!!!!

I am really blown away by the lack of investigative integrity that the NRMA, the NSW Office of Fair Trading and CHOICE Magazine have shown.  Mr. Sheather was called in to the NSW Department of Fair Trading and asked to cease and desist selling Fitch Fuel Catalysts in Australia.  To his credit, Mr. Sheather refused.  He insisted that his product worked and asked for them to re-test the catalysts, this time following instructions properly and using a NATA approved testing facility, but the NSW Office of Fair Trading said that the only way they would change their findings if he would get the devices retested at his expense.

Mr. Sheather insists that he wants to re-test the catalysts, but he doesn't have the $20,000 to run the test.  Furthermore, he is disheartened that neither the NRMA, nor the Office of Fair Trading, nor CHOICE Magazine have performed their own tests.  The basis of their "findings" is Bill's very own voluntarilly initiated certification test!

Imagine if it was YOUR business!  I know it sends chills up my spine as a business owner myself.

The NRMA recently (sometime since 22July09) pulled their official report after pressure from Fitch Fuel Catalyst Australia's lawyer, but the damage goes on.  Google has the report cached in their own cached web page in the report that continues to come up in Google searches, and the NSW Office of Fair Trading has so far refused to alter their warning.  Even though there is positive review upon positive review out there both within Australia and around the world, the warning by the NRMA plants seeds of doubts in motorists and businesses researching Fitch for themselves.

Mr. Sheather continues to do business, standing behind his product and his own integrity.  He desperately wants to come up with the $20,000 required to clear his product's name with the Office of Fair Trading, but business has been much slower since the damaging NRMA report came out. My hope is that this report might encourage those readers who are looking into Fitch Fuel Catalysts to give it a closer look and not reject it wholesale if you happen to come across the NRMA report mentioned.

Bill says that he understands it when people are skeptical, as he was himself, but insists that the product proves itself.  Here is one of the many fantastic reviews from his web site:

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We were approached by Mr Paul Riley, the distributor for Townsville and North Queensland in regard to the Fitch Fuel Catalyst in October 2003.

Marshelly fishing Co operates four prawn trawlers out of Innisfail in Far North Queensland. We decided with some reservations to try the Fitch Fuel Catalyst out on one of our vessels.

This vessel is fitted with a V12 Mercedes and has 360 hp rating with a fuel consumption of 700 litres per day. We found after 42 days at sea, our fuel consumption had been reduced to 630 litres per day, therefore providing a saving of 70 litres per day or 490 litres per week.

It has been noticed that exhaust emission have become almost visually non-existent. We are impressed enough to now fit our other three vessels including two trucks and assorted generators.

We have also hosted Paul and John from Fitch Fuel Qld at our home to talk to other trawler operators in Innisfall. This achieved a positive response.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Marcia Nebe

Managing Director
Marshelly Fishing Co Pty Ltd
16 December 2003

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And here is another testimonial that Mr. Sheather shared with me that was sent to him by a container delivery transport owner/operator out of Melbourne, Victoria:

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TWO LOCAL CONTAINER DELIVERY OWNER OPERATORS MELBOURNE

Hi Billand Co First report 30 Aug 07 and UPDATED 12 NOV 07 and again 9 July 2009

There are the progressive truck resultsfor 2 city freight carriers that have considerable stops and starts for as they move containers from wharves to store houses.Also of course lots of traffic lights to be negotiated.

MACK Truck owned by Richard doing regular size and weight loads along same routes

2003 Quantum470 hp engine with mechanical fuel injector system .Truck fitted with a 18 manual box

F1000purchased 29/6/07 Did his 1st post Fitch oil change at 2,500 Km quite black.

Now oil is holding cleaner longer that before FFC Engine due for a regular tappet service

Better acceleration at the lights

Km/L as recorded by computer before FFC fitted 30 Aug 07 was 2.23KmL now has gone up to 2.30 Km/L

3% more efficiency and progressively improving towards a steady goal of 2.4Km/L

Has being spending $1,000 per week on dieselfor trips overabout 850 Km. Has 2 tanks that do 900 Km

Diesel costing $ 1.20 per litre

Does about 107,000 Km per year

Has being greasing every 7,000 Kmand at 15,000Km changes oil, oil filter and air filter

The family 2000 Toyota 4.2L Series 100-Turbo fitted with a Fitch F300 showed outstanding improvements

On 12 Nov 07, Richard told the Fitch supplier Robert of the fuel troubles he had during Sept/Oct 07. Richard received somereal bad diesel due to problems at his fuel supplier providing low grade diesel. The MACK's fuel efficiency went down to 2.01Km/L even with a Fitch Fuel Catalyst still in the fuel line according to the onboard computer. After a lot of hassles he eventually went to a better quality diesel and the fuel efficiency with the Fitch unit bypassed averaged 2.01Km/L and after reconnecting the Fitch the fuel economy stabilized at 2.35Km/L. His original pre Fitch figures were 2.23 Km/L so now he was getting backbetter that the bestpre trouble results. Meaning now a distance improvement of 5.5% /L or on every 100L of Diesel he was now going an extra 12Km so saving 5.38L of fuel. So over each week a Diesel saving of nearly 46L or $ 66.00, 12 Nov 09 prices

STOP PRESS 9th July 09 Update on Richard's MACK 2003 Quantumwith a 470 hp engine
Around town getting 2.5Km/L very heavy work down to 2.48Km/L

On a 09 Interstate Trip to Adelaide and back to Melbourne loaded both ways

2.65Km/L on trip over and back 2.91Km/L no tail winds

Used 520 L of fuel on the roundtrip of 1,367Km average of 2.63 Km/L for the whole trip

Richard notices no smoke now coming out the chimney

A Volvo 460Hp companion truck to Adelaide and back with the same company, same loads, same time, same round trip used 590L over the 1,367 Km ; an average of 2.32Km/L for the whole trip

2003 VOLVO FH12 owned by Aydin, powered by a 6 Cylinder Turbo DieselFull Electronic Management System rated at 500hp, which would seem to be the largest in this series of engines

Fitch F1000supplied 27/7/07, and did an oil change at 1,500 Km after installation

Fuel economy progressively improving, as recorded from fuel browser at time of refilling the tank

Before Fitch1.8 Km to 1.9 Km/L

As you will see from the update below Aydin got a 5 % plus Return On His Investment

Updated 12 NOV 07

Aydin unlike his mate used BP/Mobil so did not have fuel quality problems

After installing the FFC fuel economy is 2.0Km/L to 2.02 Km/L depending on wind direction.

Lowest Before FFC to lowest after gives 11% improvement and Highest before to highest after gives 6.3% highest before Fitch to lowest after is a 5.2% improvement in fuel efficiency

Aydin's goals have been reached, which ever way one does the calculations there are savings.

With a 5.5%ROI Aydin's FFC can be paid for in about 6 months

Aydin is interested in having better quality of fuel for the long term and so better longer performance with fewer problems.

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I hope that this report helps Mr. Sheather to turn things around for his business and his family.  He's been doing it tough these past couple of years and I respect him for his tenacity and integrity.  He could have walked away from it, but he says that he wants to see it through, not only for financial reasons, but because he believes that Fitch Fuel Catalysts are a good thing for our children and our children's children, and that it's our chance to help the environment.  In short, he's got guts and he's got integrity.

It's been a pleasure to get to know you Bill.

__________ UPDATE 9 August 2009:

For all of the negative rap that Fitch Fuel Catalysts have received due to poorly executed research by the organizations outlined above, as well as others around the Internet, here is a serious study in 2000 performed in California in order to gain clearance to sell the product in California.  California is notoriously strict with its emissions standards.  The report states that:

"All tests were conducted in strict accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 86 and/or California Title 13 an[d] have been reviewed by ATDS' in-house Quality Auditor.  Detailed test results are in the Appendix attached to this report."

(Report download is locate on this page:  http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/downloads.cfm)

Fitch Test 350 cu in Chevy FTPA 75 (click to download the pdf)
If you bother to read this report you will see that they first tested the vehicle before fitting with a Fitch. Then, they tested it after fitting it with the Fitch Fuel Catalyst. It is very, very interesting to note that the test showed very little difference immediately after fitting the Fitch. Nevertheless, the test being a far more rigorous and thorough test than the single test performed for Fitch Catalyst Australia, they then drove the car for 500 miles of regular driving over the course of a couple of weeks, then tested it again to find that fuel economy had increased by 6.45% and harmful emissions were only slightly reduced. What is really incredible to read is that they drove the car another couple of weeks and tested it again after another 500 miles of driving to find that fuel economy had increased by 34.52%!! Furthermore, THC reduced (-8.11%), CO reduced (-25.47%), NOx reduced (-23.96%) and CO2 reduced (-25.90%)!!!!

Honestly, the more that you look around the internet at the so-called "scam debunking investigators" the more that you have to question the integrity of those who are not willing to really look into what they are investigating.

It is very unusual for me to be moved to put in so much effort into writing about something.  I just normally don't bother because there is usually a good deal of information on the Internet already about any given subject.  But in this case I have come to know a man who has been seriously affected in a negative way by this whole series of events that all hinge around ONE Dyno test!

IF THE CALIFORNIA TEST FACILITY HAD BEEN SO SLOPPY AS TO ONLY PERFORM ONE TEST THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND NO POSITIVE CHANGE AS DID THE AUSTRALIAN TESTING FACILITY FOUND!!!  But what they did find has fantastic ramifications for humanity, really.  If you really look into what the Fitch Fuel Catalysts are doing in every application where hydro carbon fuels are used the results are just incredible.