Bad gas resolution

A couple of weeks ago, we told you Mandy Owens' story.  She went to a Houston-area gas station, filled up and then her car stopped working.  The culprit - bad gas. 

The good news is that with our help, the gas station has repaired her car:

Jeff, I finally got a check today. I took it to the dealership and my car should be ready by Friday, thanks for everything you have done. Without you, I [probably] would not have got the car fixed.

We're glad to help. 

Comments

[Peter Strada]

Jeff - I am still fighting to get my car fixed due to "Bad Gas" (after 30 days) I have gotten the diagnosis from the service manager at the Toyota dealer on 45, I have gotten an independent test report showing 2/3 gasoline & 1/3 alcohol and water - I have written and called Exxon, the fuel distributor, the insurance company -- only to now find out that unless more than one person complains on a given day the policy is they don't recognise there is a fuel problem--and it appears I am back to square one -- with the next step to be demonstrating in front of the station with signs- & going to Galveston to file with small claims court --when we spoke on the phone regarding this individuals "Phillips 66" nightmare you asked what can you do better - a lessson learned regarding bad gas -- well here it is- only deal with a "company owned" Exxon Station -- you can identify them as Exxon "Tiger Marts" or Mobil "On the Run" - Company stations have a special claims department that take your repair estimate and car rental bill and expedite your claim when you get contaminated fuel and actually (I am told) get your car fixed- Pete Strada

[Mandy Owens]

My name is Mandy Owens, Jeff helped me out alot with the news cast of the bad gas. My car was in the shop for about 2 weeks. Come to find out the car was unfixable after $1500. in work. If it wasn't for Jeff, it would have never gone that far. Just remember, always go to a gas station that is company owned all the way. And always get a receipt anytime you purchase anything. Just use your best judgement before you stop to get gas. Since I received bad gas, I no longer have a car, but when driving my parents vehicles I will only get gas at Valero.

[K]

The same thing happenned to me!! Someone please tell me what I can do.

[StaceyT]

I just filled up my car at the Heights Food Mart on Waugh and I-10 last Saturday night. Immediately I started noticing problems until yesterday (Monday) may car would not go past first gear and the check engine light was flashing on and off. I had my brand new Honday civic towed to the dealer to be fixed. The dealer called me and told me after taking a sample of my gas, he had "never seen gas look like that before!" There was so much dirt and sludge in the gas at the pump of course my car wasn't going to run! I am now looking at anywhere between a $600 and $2500 bill and Citgo takes the satnce that they are not responsible for any damages caused by bad gas and it is up to the retail establishment to reimburse me. So, now I am left trying to collect money from a cheap foreign owned business and no car. This is so inconvenient and it's just terrible that I have to deal with this. This is the most expensive tank of gas I've EVER had! If anyone else has filled up at the Heights Food mart Citgo and received a tank of bad gas, please email me at spacecase911@hotmail.com. If we work together, more can be accomplished than seperately. An injustice has occured and the consumer should not have to just accept it and move on. This is what the courts are for.

[Will T]

My car was recently damaged due to bad gas purchased from SUNNY'S FOOD STORE on 9715 STELLA LINK RD, HOUSTON, TX 77025 on 9/19/2008 - If you also received bad gas from this location, please contact me: wthompson@jonesmcclure.com. Thank you.

[Johnny]

I have a f350 flatbed vehicle and got gas at a love's gas station and rode about 72 miles and then my car started jerking and then completely stopped. I had to get my car towed and was told I had bad gas. I am wanting to know does anyone know if can get compensated and how to go about it.

[sheetu]

It rained last Monday. I got a tank full of gas on Tuesday evening at a Texaco station on Highway 6 and Clay Road. My car died, and I just paid close to $1,500 and got it back after 5 days form the mechanic.

I have filed a complanint with Texaco. Hoping to find someone who had the same situation. Please let me know. I dont think we deserve to be punished and have to pay $$ for bad gas (I got 16 gal of gas, 5 of which was water!)

[Jason Elder]

Last week my Jeep was on empty. I went to an Exxon around the corner to fill up before starting my day. With in a mile of leaving the gas station my jeep started sputtering then died. I tried to start it but it would not. After waiting about ten minutes my Jeep started but ran poorly. I drove it home to have a look at it and could find nothing. I have been a mechanic in the past & have a good understanding of auto's. I tried to cranked it up & it ran fine. So I headed out to work. It sputtered a bit but was running better. I figured it was the gas since I had just filled up when it started happening. The next mourning I headed out & it did it again. You see moisture floats on top of fule. When mixed it will sometimes run but poorly. After sitting all night the moisture will once again float on top of the fule and cause the car to stop running. I went to the auto parts store & purchased Sea Foam additive. It fixed my problem. Now when I fill up I have to use plus or super unleaded. If I use regular from just about anywhere I can tell a slight difference in operating quality & I'm scared of getting that one fill up that stops my ride. We live in new times & our gas is no longer the same. It has all kinds of additives now that our cars hate.

[Jason Elder]

The station that gave me bad gas was Exxon at Fallbrook & Beltway 8. I didn't report it. Try Sea Foam as soon as possible. The only other was to fix it on your own is to drain your fule. It can be messy if your not careful. The best place to drain it is to disconnect your fule filter under the rear of your car or truck. Drain it, keep the gas as evidence, then replace your car with plus or super unleaded & a can of Sea Foam.