ATLANTA — Hundreds of drivers have reported filling their tanks with bad gasoline in metro Atlanta in the last several years, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Some drivers have even been left to pay hundreds of dollars to repair their cars. But why is water in your gas tank so damaging?
Here's a breakdown:
Why is water in fuel bad?
It mixes like, well, oil and water. A vehicle needs the fuel to ignite, but water has the opposite effect.
What happens to a vehicle when this happens?
Ralph Jordan, manager for AAA’s six Georgia Car Care Centers, said water stays in your tank and blocks things from flowing properly inside a vehicle, creating pressure that can start bending parts inside a vehicle.
It can greatly accelerate the failure of spark plugs.
He said a mechanic will probably need to pull out the tank and flush it along with anywhere else the fuel traveled.
How much does it cost to repair a car with bad gas?
The range of $400 to $500 is a fair starting estimate, Jordan said. But that amount obviously increases if any components were damaged.
How does water get in a a gas station’s fuel?
There are a few general ways that this happens, Jordan said.
Condensation could form in the below-ground tanks at stations, there could be a problem with the tanker transporting the fuel or there could be a problem with the gasoline at the source before the tanker picks it up.
Lewis added that it could also be as simple as someone improperly screwing on the cap of the below-ground tanks before it rains.
When will drivers begin to notice symptoms?
Jordan said that depends on how much water is taking up space in your tank, but it could be immediately or within 10 to 15 minutes.
Generally, you’ll notice it in a hurry.
“Because it won’t burn right off, it’ll start sputtering,” he said.
As for diesel in a gas-powered vehicle, online experts like CarTalkand Jalopnik said your car literally can't use diesel so it'll use up whatever gas is in the tank and then stop working. The car would then have to to be towed to an automotive shop and have the fuel system drained.
Who is responsible when this happens?
Lewis, whose division of the Georgia Agriculture Department investigates fuel mishaps like these, said the gas station is at fault.
Most stations have liability insurance that’ll usually cover these types incidents, he said.
What do I do if this happens to me?
PANIC. Just kidding, don’t. Whether there’s some water or accidental diesel in your tank, it would be hard to do some permanent damage. That’s because your vehicle doesn’t want to run without the right mix of gas.
You’ll feel your car run sluggishly, Jordan said, and so you should pull over.
Make sure you keep your receipts (for the gas, a tow service or a rental car) and have a mechanic document the damage. Then give all that to a manager of the store where you bought the fuel for possible reimbursement.
The phone number and email to report such incidents to the state is listed on a sticker that should be on every gas pump in the state, Lewis said.
This story was written by Ben Brasch for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.