Bad gas can have detrimental effects on a car’s engine and can sometimes even lead to an engine replacement if the extent of contamination is extremely high.
Unfortunately, drivers are left in the dark when neither the gas station nor the state helps the affected owners at the right time, leaving them responsible to pay for costly repairs.
Not only that, an engine-damaged vehicle means they will have to rely on a taxi operator to commute daily for weeks or sometimes even months, which adds to the financial burden.
Something similar happened to several Spring Branch drivers in Houston, who were victims of bad gas that was reportedly contaminated with water. However, no one was present at the gas station to provide answers.
Car Owner Reveals Engine Damage Worth $6,000
Around ten cars were reportedly affected by bad gas shortly after they filled up at a Circle K at Antoine and Long Point Road on or around May 16, according to a report by Click2houston.com.
Unfortunately, the affected car owners were left looking for answers, as the gas station’s manager was not present. They were left without an explanation or compensation.
Jack Tillet had just ended an Uber driving shift when he stopped to fill his car with $12 worth of gas. Unfortunately, the car is not running anymore.
A mechanic found water contamination in the fuel system, and Tillet’s car was not the only car in his garage with the same problem related to the same pump. He said:
“I got about a half mile down the road and my car just died. It just so happened there were cars being towed from that Circle K to his [mechanic’s] shop. So mine wasn’t the first one.”
Tillet said that repairing his car would cost around $6,000, an amount he could not afford to pay.
“I don’t have $6,000, obviously. I mean, I’m driving Uber at night, on Social Security,” he said.
Tillet expressed that he contacted Circle K corporate about the issue. However, he eventually received a disappointing response. He said:
“They just got back to us yesterday and said, sorry, they can’t help us. They’re not affiliated with that Circle K. It’s a franchise. There’s nothing they can do, nothing they will do.
“It’s not our fault. We went in and put gas, and now all of a sudden all our cars are ruined.”
Gas Station Manager Was Not Reachable
When reporter Corley Peel visited the store, the manager was not available for comment. A cashier told her that around ten vehicles had been affected by the adulterated fuel and that a delivery issue led to the problem. He said:
“I think they are working on the insurance so insurance can compensate the damage to vehicles.”
When Peel called the manager, nobody answered. She has not received a text message or a call back yet.
According to Texas law, if a gas station is found to have contaminated fuel, it can be fined up to $3,000 and can even have its license revoked.
But affected drivers who believe bad gas caused problems with their vehicles must have fuel receipts and file a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
While Tillet stated he and a few others have filed complaints, they have not heard back from the agency yet. He said:
“At least six, seven of us have filed complaints. We’ve heard nothing back from the state either.”
Latest Update Reveals Circle K Is Reimbursing Affected Customers
Peel revealed an update on Facebook, saying that Circle K is reimbursing its customers whose vehicles have been damaged by the contaminated fuel at the Spring Branch gas station.
In addition, another driver has reached out to her, revealing that she faced a similar problem at a Circle K gas station in Bellaire.