A DRIVER suffered a bizarre gas issue that resulted in their car breaking down and a $2,000 repair bill.
This incident was one of many that occurred across the same state in the US, leaving several motorists seeking reimbursements.
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John Toth is just one of those motorists who, according to a report by ABC7 WWSB, experienced car trouble after stopping at an ARCO gas station a few weeks ago.
Toth recalled pumping gas at the station and noticing that the 93-octane pump was “slower than normal,” but he thought nothing of it at the time.
Later, however, his car suffered a sudden breakdown, forcing him to have it towed to a repair shop.
He was told that the issue involved water in his car’s fuel tank, which came with a pricey invoice for “extreme fuel contamination.”
Toth added: “I do have my car back. I ended up picking it up. I dodged a bullet.”
Another driver who experienced a similar issue at the same gas station was Josh Waddell, who said he drove roughly a mile down the road before his vehicle stopped working.
“I got some gas, and it was pumping super slow,” Waddell said.
“It took me about 15 minutes to pump five dollars’ worth, and a mile down the road, my car just shut off.”
Waddell had to spend around $1,600 to fix his vehicle, including $500 for towing services.
He and Toth connected on social media after they each posted about the issue.
“I was frustrated, but then again, I’m not the only one who’s frustrated,” Waddell said.
“I’ve been in contact with quite a few others who are also out over nine hundred dollars.”
Toth told reporters that the gas station owner sent him a check to reimburse him for the gas and repairs.
Waddell, however, is still trying to reach the owner.
The incident happened in Ohio, between Toledo and Hillsboro on 7126 OH-73, and comes months after a Circle K station was accused of something similar.
The fuel stop, this time located in Avon, Ohio, was guilty of a mix up that cost at least two drivers thousands of dollars.
Circle K later confirmed that diesel fuel had been inadvertently delivered and pumped into the unleaded fuel storage tanks, and vice versa.
And only days ago, a mom in Atlanta, Georgia, was hit with a $2,000 bill after mechanics found that the gas in her vehicle was “80 per cent water” – she is still out of pocket.
What happens if you put the wrong fuel in your tank?
Dwanye Saunders, the owner of Genuine Automotive & Diesel in Austin, Texas, said the common mix up isn’t as dire as people think.
He told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview there are things drivers should look out for at the pumps to avoid putting the wrong fuel in your tank, and what to do if it happens.
The first thing he noted is that most gas stations make it very difficult to fill a gas-powered car with diesel. At the pumps, size does matter.
“The nozzle for the diesel pump is usually much bigger than a gasoline pump,” he said.
“So, it’s pretty hard to put diesel in a gas tank, it’s actually easier to accidentally put gasoline in a diesel engine.”
If the wrong fuel type is used, drivers will know right away, as the engine will run incredibly rough before shutting off. When that happens, it’s important to not try and start the vehicle again, as it pushes the fuel further into the system. Forcing the wrong fuel through an ill-equipped engine can cost thousands in repairs, or even merit an engine replacement.
Instead, it’s best to have your vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic, where they’ll begin repairs.
“A good mechanic would drain the fuel tank and flush the lines with fresh gasoline, maybe run some fuel system cleaner through it and it’s usually not detrimental,” said Saunders.
Read more here.