Over the last two weeks our shop has seen 8 cars with a lot of engine/fuel related problems. The SES in on with different lean/rich/misfire conditions.

After testing the amount of ethanol on this cars we have found up to 50% ethanol , which is WAY to much for regular engines to consume. (Max. should be about 10%)

The customers have contacted the gas stations where they got the fuel from, but the stations will only replace the tank of gas, not pay for any repairs.

So just be carefull when filling up next time, good luck!

Sorry but i wasn't told which gas stations were involved so I can't help by warning you where not to go. I just hope that I'm not the one to get the crappy fuel next time!

 

If the owners pumped from a pump that was not labeled E-85, then (at least in California) the gas station is on the hook for any fuel system repairs that are required as a consequence of the mislabeling.

 

Problem is the gas station has no control over it. The ethanol is being added to the truck at the delivery terminal immediately prior to delivery. Who know what QA/QC procedures those guys have.

Here in New England the fuel is delevered mainly from Albany, NY; Portland, ME, and Portsmouth,NH - some gas stations make a decision on where to get it based on price on the day.

It would be great to know where the loads with too mauch ethanol are coming from - then you could ask a gas station where they got theirs.

 

isn't false advertisement FRAUD? how can they get away with fraud?

 

completely unrelated to mini's


ive had a cut off saw (brand new) that i use for work all the time, and the ethonal in the fuel i had put a nasty film on the carb screen and it wouldnt run right.

 

My wife works as a paralegal in a law firm and up until nine months ago she was in the product liability / mass tort department. Believe me when I say, there have been class action law suits for much less. It would be great to know which gas stations.

FWIW, a couple of years ago my old mechanic, who does some race support for BMW's and Porsche and is also an instructor for trackmasters, said that Citgo and Quickfill don't use ethenol locally. I live in Rochester, NY.

 

FWIW if you can drive out of your metro area that you may live in some rural stations offer gas without ethanol. I use this as much as I can in all of my vehicles especially my Mini. I don't have to go far because the Chevron, Texaco and Shell stations I use are near my job.

 

In California we have Weights and Measures Divisions in each of the 58 counties. If you suspect any of the above happening call them. They regulate labeling and consumer issues regarding octane and additives to gasolines. They can red tag entire trucks of fuel before they deliver their loads.

 

And if the load has gone into the tank at the gas station, they can compell the owner (or the distributor depending on whose fault it was) to empty the entire tank.