Posted on 06/16/2011 11:28:32 AM PDT by Puppage
Milford, Conn (WTNH) - Local auto shops are swamped with dozens of cars in need of repairs, all due to bad gasoline.
One dealership alone has serviced fifteen cars with fuel injection problems. Other service centers in Connecticut have been responding to similar complaints. Cars are stalling, sputtering, and just not running efficiently.
Delilah Rios from West Haven noticed the problem with her Scion on Thursday. "They have to change the fuel injectors, they have to change the spark plugs, they have to clean out all the tubes, the gas," Rios said.
The dealership concluded that the gasoline was the source of the problem. The repairs will cost Rios about $2,000. She always fills her tank at the same station, and has never had a problem before.
"And you can't check it to see if it's bad gas," said Rios.
The problem is not confined to just one gas station, either. The source of contamination hasn't been pinpointed yet, but dealers in the area believe the bad gasoline came from a terminal in New Haven.
"Unfortunately, until they determine exactly where it's coming from, which terminal, you're going to have continuing problems," Jeff Brandfon from Brandfon Honda said.
Each terminal distributes gasoline to many different stations throughout the area. As of now, it's impossible to tell which stations might have bad fuel. In the meantime, pay close attention to the way your car is running.
"If warning lights come on, or the operation is not correct, I would recommend they call their servicing dealer," Brandfon said.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtnh.com ...
Obama’s vehicle elimination program.
Ethanol 85?
Wouldn’t be that 15% Ethanol stuff, would it?
Gas for clunkers. If it wasn’t a clunker before you put ethanol in it, it will be now. I have a great idea. Let’s turn the hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices over to the government, too!
Ooops.....should be E15
E85 would be my guess. Ethanol dries out everything, and if a fuel system was not built to handle it, fuel lines, gaskets, etc. will eventually dissolve because of it.
HMMMmmmmmmmm..
My Ford Ranger started missing at all speeds a few weeks back.. Bought plugs,wires,fuel filter,PCV & EGR valves.. haven’t put them in yet.
But I’ve been suspecting something with the gas..
Going to ask the station if they have gotten any complaints
E-85 would be my guess as well.
If it were fuel oil or diesel contamination, there would be detonation and piston damage. Clogged injectors and such point to E-85.
Wondering if gas is being reformulated to bring the price down to take pressure off Obama.
Try some Sta-Bil or such and see what happens. Don’t lose the receipt for the parts.
Bad gasoline = corn impurities in it?
I had a bout with bad gas once. Car just wouldn’t start.
Someone told me to pour a bottle of denatured alcohol (water removal treatment or something) into tank. After cranking and clearing out the lines, it eventually started.
I think the gas went stale from the car sitting too long. (I’m unemployed now)
Limited run trial of another Islamic attack method?
This happened back in the mid-1980s at the refinery I worked for. A large filter collapsed and allowed spent catylist to move into the gasoline loading rack.
It took about ten days to collect all the contaminated gasoline and the refinery covered the cost of cleaning auto gas tanks and engine repairs.
Just had a thought. Since the price of gas has gone so high, folks are driving a lot less. Ergo, less turnover of gas in storage tanks. The longer these ethanol blends sit, the more water is drawn from the atmosphere in the tanks. Could it just be the “normal” ethanol blend that has been stored too long?
We had a dealer once that had cars stalled all over town. Turns out there was water in the gas. I never found out if the problem was with his operation, or the source of his fuel. Any way he closed all his pumps that day, but was up and running the next day.
Sometimes I gas up at a local station that has a diesel fuel hose on one side of the pump and a gasoline hose on the other side. You wouldn’t think that this would cause a problem since the below-ground diesel fuel and gasoline tanks are separated but sometimes I wonder if there could be a screw-up occasionally.
On Thursday, the Department of Consumer Protection issued a statement saying it is investigating the reports of bad gasoline. Below is the DCP news release.
HARTFORD, June 16 -- The Department of Consumer Protection is actively investigating reports this week from consumers experiencing problems with their vehicles after purchasing gasoline. Media reports on Tuesday about gasoline sold in Montville and on Wednesday about gasoline purchased in the New Haven area brought the issue to the Department's attention, Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said today.
"We responded to the Montville reports immediately after learning about problems that consumers were allegedly experiencing," Rubenstein said. "Yesterday, some of those consumers began to file complaints with our Department, and I encourage everyone who believes their vehicle may have been affected this week by bad gasoline to contact our Department, to file a complaint and to provide us with the name and address of the gas station. Our immediate priorities are to identify and stop the source of any problem and to assure that consumers are compensated for any problems caused by the bad gasoline."
The Department is investigating allegations related to a range of gas stations along the I-95 corridor from Guilford to Fairfield. Other areas of the state may be affected as well. Investigators are reviewing stations' delivery invoices, taking samples, and conducting field interviews to identify the contaminant and track its source.
Persons who suspect that bad gasoline was involved in problems with their vehicle should obtain and keep all service receipts for diagnostics or repair, as well as receipts for the gasoline they have recently purchased. Consumers should also notify the Department of Consumer Protection fuel standards unit by calling 860-713-8160 or 1-800-842-2649, or by emailing food.standards@ct.gov . A form for filing a written complaint is available at www.ct.gov/dcp at "Forms." Consumers should also register a complaint, in writing, with the retailer from whom they purchased gasoline.
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