Squidley Posted October 13, 2010 Share #1 Posted October 13, 2010 I don't usually get on a public rant about things, but I am now, I'll try to keep it short. About 6 weeks ago I had work done to my car, installed a new fuel pump and sending unit. Got the car back and it was running great, went to fill it up as it was empty. Stopped at a VALERO station in Tomball Texas on 249 just north of FM 2920. I ended up getting a tankful of bad gas from that station. $400 bill later from the garage the car was running again. I submitted a form to get them to pay for the repair as it was nothing I did to cause it. Well they decided to not pay the repair, so now I am starting phase 2 of my campaign against them, and give as much bad publicity as I can. I have nothing to gain by trying to scam them, I paid out the money so it's money lost for me right now. I try very hard to play by the rules and become extremely irritated when others dont play by the same rules. There are quite a few folks that know me here and my character, I can let a lot of things slid, but this time, I am going to be the biggest PITA to VALERO until they make this right. Think twice before you use VALERO, needless to say I wont be supporting VALERO and will give as much negative talk about them as I can until they step up and do the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eck Posted October 13, 2010 Share #2 Posted October 13, 2010 I would suggest you go back to the store with a gas can and get a $1.00 worth of the bad gas, then take it to an attorney, where he will charge you about $100 to send them a "drive by letter".. They would rather pay the bill then go to court..when you have proof that their gas is bad. So sorry for all your trouble bro.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalstarjac Posted October 13, 2010 Share #3 Posted October 13, 2010 You might want to put an ad in the local paper looking for people who also got some bad gas. Strength in numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom Posted October 13, 2010 Share #4 Posted October 13, 2010 Down here it is well known that their gas is bad ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utadventure Posted October 13, 2010 Share #5 Posted October 13, 2010 Here's an approach I took: http://www.rivertonmotorexposed.com Got taken by a "used car" sales place. Good luck!! Dave PS: I have an IT guy that works for me, that made this approach easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drreb Posted October 13, 2010 Share #6 Posted October 13, 2010 The bad gas usually comes from the tank being filled right before you get there and it stirs up any condensation that has settled to the bottom. You have no way of knowing that unless you see the tanker there. This is a common problem. But still they should make it right, because it is the right thing to do. I would agree they would not want a law suit because it would be cheaper to pay the $400 than a attorney. I don't know if you can get a bad sample unless you watch out for the next tanker to come along, but an attorney could give you advice on your course of action. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted October 13, 2010 Share #7 Posted October 13, 2010 I've had a few issues with Valero in the past, like short pouring a gallon. The only reason bad gas gets to the tank is they don't run it through a filter and water seperator. It could be that they're not maintaining them.... ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinfool Posted October 13, 2010 Share #8 Posted October 13, 2010 My brother in law owns an auto repair center and whenever he notices a rash of fuel system problems he starts asking customers questions. He will often find that most of them all bought gas at the same station on the same day. That gas station confronted with that kind of evidence just pays the repair bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W Posted October 13, 2010 Share #9 Posted October 13, 2010 Do you have documentation from the repair shop that the damage was caused by bad gas? If so, I am thinking a lawyer could get it settled for you fairly quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponch Posted October 13, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 13, 2010 Do you have documentation from the repair shop that the damage was caused by bad gas? If so, I am thinking a lawyer could get it settled for you fairly quickly. Yup, he's got about six gallons of the stuff. it don't look like gas, alcohol, turpentine, or anything I've seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uechi kid Posted October 13, 2010 Share #11 Posted October 13, 2010 Just be glad you didn't put that S#!+ in you bike. I bet the repair bill would have been a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcarl Posted October 13, 2010 Share #12 Posted October 13, 2010 I won't buy from them anymore,,,,,,, does that help???? If bad gas is just water in the gas, through in a good amount of methyl hydrate, that will soak up the water and run it through the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etcswjoe Posted October 13, 2010 Share #13 Posted October 13, 2010 Never used a Valero station, however thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterGuns Posted October 13, 2010 Share #14 Posted October 13, 2010 Hey Brad, Sorry you learned the hard way. I wouldn't put Valero crap in my lawn mower. Rather than dealing with the local jerk, recommend you call their corporate hq. I had a similiar issue one time and the fella told me to suit him, so I did. Ended up costing them several thousand more than if they would had just paid for the initial damages. In the end, it didn't cost me a dime. A very, very pleasurable experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tx2sturgis Posted October 13, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 13, 2010 No comment except this link: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2010-10-13/valero-refinery-donates-250000-charities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted October 13, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 13, 2010 What in the world cost $400? Should have had some labor to drain the tank, and change out the fuel filter. Pump shouldn't have been hurt at all. Sounds like your getting the shaft all the way around. BTW, I used to be a Service Manager/Tech, so I do have some idea of what it should cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uechi kid Posted October 13, 2010 Share #17 Posted October 13, 2010 Isn't Valero, Exxon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted October 13, 2010 Share #18 Posted October 13, 2010 I don't think so. I think that they used to be Diamond Shamrock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgoat Posted October 13, 2010 Share #19 Posted October 13, 2010 heres your sing i think you should have and park by there station squid WITH VALERO YOUR CAR NO GO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drreb Posted October 13, 2010 Share #20 Posted October 13, 2010 Most of them don't do a good job of servicing those so called filters, thus you get crap in your tank more than you think. But what can you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W Posted October 13, 2010 Share #21 Posted October 13, 2010 I don't think so. I think that they used to be Diamond Shamrock. Yep, used to be Diamond Shamrock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share #22 Posted October 13, 2010 As Ponch mentioned I have about 6 gallons of the stuff that was in the tank. As far as the bill it broke down to this, drop the tank and remove the sending unit and fuel pump. Replace the o2 sensor as it coded, when they pulled the diagnostic check on it. New fuel filter and I had a lifetime warranty fuel pump on it so I had a new one installed. I'm not positive if there was a tanker there when we pulled up or not. I KNOW that I can't be the only one that got bad gas that day, no way. There just playing me and seeing if I'm going to go away....fat chance of that. You folks haven't even seen a glimpse of how much of an ahole I can be, if they keep playing me, they will find out. Like mentioned, I'm not out to scam anyone, I just want whats right. I have had a couple members PM me with some advise and I really appreciate it. My next step is making a call to the Texas attorney general and weights and measures, turn up the heat a bit. All I'm looking for is $44 spent on a tank of crap gas and the repair bill which is $390 and some change. If they do this in fairly short order I will cease and desist with this campaign, if not I will start adding monies on for my aggravation and time which will be documented. I also like the idea of filing a claim in court, that will definitely let them know that I am serious and I'm not going to play nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scarylarry Posted October 13, 2010 Share #23 Posted October 13, 2010 You are lucky I bought a new Dodge in 2002 black 1/2 ton sport model, dealer open the doors to drive it out for me, I stop at truck stop on 65 and 31W in Franklin Ky. and fill up put my credit card in at the pump went home and the truck was running roughing wonder if I was going to make it home next wouldn't start, called dodge and they came and got it.. If was full of diesel, remember I paid with a CC so now I have pump number on the receipt and the type, and it show regular gas....Driver dump all the diesel in the regular tank.. They rebuild they rebuild the engine and furnish me a new truck to drive for 6 weeks while the work was being done... Called a lawyer and he said from the looks of it they repair it and would be hard press to collect any damage out of it.... So now I sniff over the nozzle to make sure, yea sounds dumb but the hit I took on it was not good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipshot Posted October 13, 2010 Share #24 Posted October 13, 2010 i have heard a LOT of people complaining about Valero gas, in the past. i have worked in their Corpus Christi refinery. it is one of the dirtiest places i ever worked, and i have worked refineries coast to coast and border to border! the only way i would buy their crap product, would be to get me to another station. sorry for your troubles, brad. hope you get to break it off in-'em! just jt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chabicheka Posted October 14, 2010 Share #25 Posted October 14, 2010 you have lots of company, Brad... http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/valero-c187116.html scroll down when you get to the page. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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