OT Sunoco gas!!!!! be aware.

[bklyn]

I know but I wanted you all to be aware this summer. July 10 (my birthday) used my sons 2007 BMW 328ci for a nice evening with no shifting. Fille the tank with premium at a local Sunoco (Stuart Florida) left the gas station and within a half mile the vehicle stalled and refused to start. Ok bimmer bummer, still under warranty so off its towed to the dealer. That monday evening the service writer calls and advises the bad news. Extreme amounts of water in the tank and fuel system and of course I am not covered. The go ahead to drop the tank, flush fuel lines, new filters, fuel regulater and clean injectors cost me, just over $1700.00

[BryanM]

why not post a specific location since it's more likely to be a problem at that station than sunoco in general? unlike the bad mix from shell a few years back that killed the fuel sender in my truck and numerous others across the southeast. that mixture was recalled and they did nothing to compensate anyone.
i'd go back and talk to them. if it happened to you it happened to others.
and you're right. $1700 to drain a tank, change a filter and flush the fuel system is absurd.

[Oh Haha]

I'd call the local news investigative reporter.

Others may have had the same problem and maybe banding together would get the station owner to offset the costs. if anything, it will bring it to light and noone likes bad publicity.

[bklyn]

Already spoke to a claims rep. at the main Sunoco office today and they advised I would hear from and insurance ajuster within 24 hours. We shall see.

[chamilun]

I saw this case come up on I believe Judge Judy (believe it or not). apparently, gas is tested automatically at certain intervals, so they may end up having evidence against, and not be willing to pay the claim.

[Brian 162]

I use Sunoco 94 all the time with no issues. Maybe there was a problem at the station where you purchased the gas.

[Danny_Ocean]

I doubt it's a Sunoco thing. It's been raining here (SoFLA) quite a bit (and quite heavily) lately. Probably wouldn't take much for water to get in to the underground tanks. I always assumed they had water seperators...

[E Sully]

2 months ago the local Costco had a truck deliver the higher alchohol content 93 octane by mistake. It caused a few cars severe running issues. Not their fault, it was the suppliers mistake. They repaired any vehicle affected by it with no problem.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by bklyn

Already spoke to a claims rep. at the main Sunoco office today and they advised I would hear from and insurance ajuster within 24 hours. We shall see.

Do it the old fashion way; Threat them with a Class Action Suit , they'll pay.

[Jim Richards]

I use Sunoco all the time, too. No problems at all. I am a satisfied customer.

[Doug&Julie]

I have nothing to add to this thread other than July 10 is also my birthday.

...and my nephew's.

[800vmax4]

I suspect this is problem associated with a particular station only.
It is impossible to keep water/condensation out of the fuel storage tanks as modern "E" fuels wick moisture out of the air from the time they are refined/blended, stored, shipped, and pumped into the underground tanks, as Ethonal is Hygroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture. A good rule of thumb is don't buy fuel from a station that has just had its tanks filled as it stirs up the water that sits at the bottom of the tanks.
Water in the fuel is a real problem with engines in the "North" especially our 2 stroke snowmobiles as it can cause them to lean out and seize.
JM.02

[JJ 911SC]

and in Canada, only shell does not have Ethanol in the 91 gas

Unfortunately, they don't have 94


Shell Canada includes 10% Ethanol in the regular 'Bronze' grade 87 Octane gasoline in several provinces, including Ontario, but not Alberta.

Shell also sells 'Silver' mid-grade 89 Octane, which is blended at the retail pump from 1/2 regular, and 1/2 premium 91 Octane.

Shell 'V-Power' Premium gasoline contains NO Ethanol, so the mid-grade Silver contains 5% Ethanol.

[MichiganMike]

It takes very little water in the tank to cause the entire tank to phase separate. Since most of the fuel in industry today carries 10% ethanol, ethanol (alcohol) mixes nicely with water. It also mixes nicely with gasoline. Back in the older days, the water used to sit on the bottom of the tanks because water and gas do NOT mix together, like oil and water. So now water is a huge concern at the stations, especially when it rains a lot! I wonder if anyone else at the station you filled up at got hurt too.....

ALSO - once the phase separation happens, the fuel is no longer high octane. The ethanol bumps the octane rating up almost a full point. Instead of 93, you now have 91.5 or 92.

Sorry to hear about your car. Keep all of your receipts and make sure to follow through with Sunoco customer care! Keep us posted!

[E Sully]

I also like to use Marine Stabil in my car to help with moisture since I don't get to drive it as often as I'd like.

[bklyn]

Thanks guys for all the good info and not blasting me over off topic, still no word from Sunoco. I still feel the need to keep on this until they resolve it. If it were my fault I would take the hit, I will let you know if anything becomes of this, I keep thinking of all the goodies I could buy for my PC with that cash!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by bklyn

Thanks guys... I keep thinking of all the goodies I could buy for my PC with that cash!

Is this a computer forum? No wonder I fell I'm in the "bit bucket" most of the time

[Oracle]

IMO that could've been caused by a number of fillups not just one... But if you can get it paid by Sunoco.. go for it!

[ToddM]

This is a problem with the station itself

If you ever go to the gas station and the tanker is there, bypass and fill up down the road if you can help it. This usually kikes all kinds of junk up from the tank and can clog your inhectors and/or filter.