- Sam’s Club station in Ohio accidentally pumped diesel into regular gas supply tanks.
- Drivers unknowingly fueled up with diesel, leading to breakdowns and damage.
- The company confirmed the error occurred during tank refueling last Saturday.
Some drivers in St. Clairsville, Ohio, got more than they bargained for during a routine gas stop, namely, diesel fuel in cars running on regular unleaded. The unexpected fuel switch happened at a Sam’s Club station, where several customers ended up with damaged vehicles and repair bills after unknowingly pumping diesel instead of 87 octane gasoline.
While frustrating, the store has assured affected members that it plans to “get everything resolved” for those who submit a claim.
Read: Fuel Station Mix-Up Puts Diesel In Gas Cars And Gas In Diesel
It’s understood that the issues started last Saturday, but the mix-up didn’t become apparent until later in the day when several customers took to social media to complain. One woman said her brother-in-law had purchased fuel from the Sam’s Club only to find that his truck would no longer start.
Word then started to emerge that diesel fuel had been inadvertently mixed into the unleaded 87 supply. Later on Saturday, Sam’s Club confirmed that this is indeed what happened, noting that the mix-up occurred while the underground diesel and unleaded tanks were being refilled. According to News Nation, the problem only drew attention once drivers started experiencing issues and posted about them online.
The manager of the Sam’s Club in question, Cat Litchko, is encouraging customers to call the store and submit a claim. They will need to provide their name, phone numbers, membership number, date and time of purchase, pump number, make, model, and year of their vehicle.
Sam Club’s director of corporate communications, Steven Zapata, added that the company’s team is “actively working to address this situation and is dedicated to making things right for our affected members.”
What Happens When You Pump Diesel Into a Gas Car
Diesel fuel is thicker than gasoline fuel and doesn’t combust the same way in engines designed for regular gas. If diesel ends up in a gasoline engine, the fuel tank needs to be drained, and the system cleaned out to prevent further issues. The diesel can clog the fuel filter and may also reach the injectors.
That said, this type of mix-up, while inconvenient, is generally less damaging than the reverse, putting gasoline into a diesel engine, which can lead to major engine failure.
