Wrong fuel from gas station pumps causes thousands in damage for drivers

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) — Dozens of car owners potentially faced thousands of dollars in repairs after getting the wrong type of fuel from pumps at a Connecticut gas station.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection said that on Nov. 29, about 25 cars had the wrong fuel pumped into their tanks at Metro Gas in Southington. Diesel was mistakenly put in one of the pumps, the department said.

The department said the tanks were cleaned and the bad fuel was removed the next day. Drivers still had to make repairs, however.

“The company that delivered the fuel, Forbes [Premium] Fuel, is taking care of all customer complaints,” said Kaitlyn Krasselt, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Nate Olchanowski said he filled up his truck at the diesel pump but quickly realized something was wrong.

“Right when I left the pump, it was obvious something was wrong. It was bucking, and after five minutes it turned off and wouldn’t turn back on,” Olchanowski said.

The dealership told him it was contaminated fuel, he said. Olchanowski paid $1,500 to get his truck fixed.

Patrick Garrett also said he had problems after filling up his BMW at Metro Gas. Instead of getting premium gas, he got diesel.

“Monday I went to go start it, and it wouldn’t start up at all,” Garrett said.

Mechanics quoted repairs on his car at $17,000, telling him he had to replace the entire fuel system.

The gas station told customers that Forbes, the company that delivers fuel for Metro Gas, was responsible for the mistake.

“They admitted there was a mistake — that the pump at the gas station they fueled up at had been switched. The diesel pumps were pumping gasoline, and the gasoline pumps were pumping diesel,” Olchanowski said Forbes told him.

Forbes told him the company would reimburse him for the repairs, Olchanowski said.

Metro confirmed Forbes was to blame and said the state Department of Consumer Protection had visited the station. The department verified Forbes made the mistake and said the pumps were cleaned out.

The Department of Consumer Protection advised anyone who filled up at the station on Nov. 29 and experienced problems to file a complaint.

All affected consumers with proof of purchase should contact Forbes at (203) 468-2777 with claims, Krasselt said.

The owner of Metro Gas did not respond to requests for comment. Forbes also did not respond to requests for comment.

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