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Car damaged after overfilling gas tank

stinkynuts

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Jan 4, 2005
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I recently filled my gas tank, and the fuel pump did not stop, causing gasoline to spill onto the ground.

Shortly thereafter, my car's check engine light went on and the car started shaking. I believe the fuel overflow damaged the car somehow.

Is there any way to sue the gas station for their mistake? Would it be hard to prove?
 

MojoRisin'

People Are Strange!!!!!
Jul 14, 2003
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Paris
I recently filled my gas tank, and the fuel pump did not stop, causing gasoline to spill onto the ground.

Shortly thereafter, my car's check engine light went on and the car started shaking. I believe the fuel overflow damaged the car somehow.

Is there any way to sue the gas station for their mistake? Would it be hard to prove?
You bitch about a lot of things on here. Take some responsibility. Sue? Fuck off
 

stinkynuts

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Jan 4, 2005
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You bitch about a lot of things on here. Take some responsibility. Sue? Fuck off
You fuck off.

My car gas tank was overfilled because of a faulty sensor and now my car is messed up. I want to know if the gas station is liable. What's wrong with that? ASSHOLE.
 

stinkynuts

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Jan 4, 2005
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https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-sue-the-gas-station-if-the-automatic-shut-of-2744051.html

Q&A
Asked in South Fork, CO | October 1, 2016
Can I sue the gas station if the automatic shut-off did not work?
My boyfriend and I were filling up my tank at a gas station and and the automatic shut off didn't kick in and overflowed my tank. I was at the pump the whole time while my boyfriend went inside. He said the attendant inside just nonchalantly said "Oh ya sometimes it doesn't work." My check engine light came on after and my gas guage no longer works. I am getting it checked out tomorrow but from what I've looked at, this can be a pretty expensive fix if it did damage anything. Can I sue the gas station for the cost of repairs? They would directly be due to the gas overflowing and the employee clearly acknowledged that it happened before. This happened in South Fork, CO but I live in St. Louis, MO.

I did a search and this came up. None of the respondents to the question told the asker to fuck off. I just added you to my ignore list, you piece of shit.
 

stinkynuts

Super
Jan 4, 2005
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Any mechanics here? I read that the charcoal canister becomes flooded, and this is the reason for the check engine light.

Would I need to replace it, or could I just drive the car and wait till it evaporates eventually?
 

Goodoer

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2004
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GTA & Thereabouts...
The gasoline could've "puked out" for other reasons. You're supposed to know (even roughly) how much fuel you need and monitor the situation when filling. If the pump did not trigger, it would still be your responsibility. Put $5/fill up if you're worried. I would say there is ZERO chance of you winning any legal battle.

If the car starts up and drives well, keep on driving. Disconnect your battery to reset the CEL.
 

stinkynuts

Super
Jan 4, 2005
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The gasoline could've "puked out" for other reasons. You're supposed to know (even roughly) how much fuel you need and monitor the situation when filling. If the pump did not trigger, it would still be your responsibility. Put $5/fill up if you're worried. I would say there is ZERO chance of you winning any legal battle.

If the car starts up and drives well, keep on driving. Disconnect your battery to reset the CEL.
Thanks for the info. will try it out....
 

james t kirk

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2001
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Listen, speaking as someone who has been involved in lawsuits (intimately) over issues of negligence, I laugh at the notion of suing over what you're describing.

You have no clue about how much time, work and money it costs to sue someone. (I do, first hand.). It would be cheaper and easier and quicker and less pain for you just to get your car fixed. Trust me on that.

I don't know what type of car you drive and how the lines to the gas tank are set up. Usually there are 2 hoses that run from the tank to the filler. One takes the gasoline from the pump to the tank. The other is a vent and you can usually see the orifice at the fueling door. From the fuel tank there is the line that carries the fuel from the submerged fuel pump to the engine. There is the fuel return line which carries unused fuel back to the tank and there is a line that runs to the charcoal canister which is part of the evaporative system. But usually in the tank there is a check valve that prevents s you from over filling your tank. This could be as simple as a ping pong ball that floats in the gas and as the fuel rises during fueling will be pushed into the outlet of the fuel filling pipe blocking the introduction of any more gasoline once the fuel tank is full. The fuel that shot out of the filler neck was or should have been just excess fuel collected in the filling line.

It is not unusual for excess fuel to shoot out of the filler. I've had it happen many times over the years. Never had a problem like you're describing other than some gasoline on my shoes. I've also had the problem of the fuel pump shutting off prematurely repeatedly.

If your charcoal canister is flooded, it might dry out on its own. At worst you would need to disconnect it and pour out the excess fuel. (But I'm still not sure that's your problem.). Or a new canister. Either way, less grief than suing some gas station.
 

stinkynuts

Super
Jan 4, 2005
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Listen, speaking as someone who has been involved in lawsuits (intimately) over issues of negligence, I laugh at the notion of suing over what you're describing.

You have no clue about how much time, work and money it costs to sue someone. (I do, first hand.). It would be cheaper and easier and quicker and less pain for you just to get your car fixed. Trust me on that.

I don't know what type of car you drive and how the lines to the gas tank are set up. Usually there are 2 hoses that run from the tank to the filler. One takes the gasoline from the pump to the tank. The other is a vent and you can usually see the orifice at the fueling door. From the fuel tank there is the line that carries the fuel from the submerged fuel pump to the engine. There is the fuel return line which carries unused fuel back to the tank and there is a line that runs to the charcoal canister which is part of the evaporative system. But usually in the tank there is a check valve that prevents s you from over filling your tank. This could be as simple as a ping pong ball that floats in the gas and as the fuel rises during fueling will be pushed into the outlet of the fuel filling pipe blocking the introduction of any more gasoline once the fuel tank is full. The fuel that shot out of the filler neck was or should have been just excess fuel collected in the filling line.



It is not unusual for excess fuel to shoot out of the filler. I've had it happen many times over the years. Never had a problem like you're describing other than some gasoline on my shoes. I've also had the problem of the fuel pump shutting off prematurely repeatedly.

If your charcoal canister is flooded, it might dry out on its own. At worst you would need to disconnect it and pour out the excess fuel. (But I'm still not sure that's your problem.). Or a new canister. Either way, less grief than suing some gas station.

Thanks, what you say makes a lot of sense. I just had no idea how extensive the damage and repair bill would be, but you’re right that it wouldn’t be worthwhile to sue.

Thanks for sharing your expertise on cars, seems like you are very knowledgeable. I will see if the car “fixes itself “ and if not, I will have it checked out. Thanks again!
 

rhuarc29

Well-known member
Apr 15, 2009
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I had no idea overfilling could cause a serious mechanic problem. The previous vehicle I owned would always overfill if not done manually. I always avoided going to full service stations and got real good at gauging how close it was to overfilling based on sound alone. Never had a problem though, I just didn't want to get gasoline on my paint.
 

richaceg

Well-known member
Feb 11, 2009
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Check Engine Light could be as simple as an electrical error triggered by overflowing...I know leaving your gas tank open can also trigger errors...I wouldn't think it will damage the engine itself...take your car to the mechanic and have it reset. paying the mechanic and that excess gas that overflowed are the only losses you will incur...much much cheaper than suing...
 

oldjones

CanBarelyRe Member
Aug 18, 2001
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What do you mean? The pump is supposed to turn off when the tank is full, not continue pumping.
While that is a common experience, it nowhere says on the pump that it will stop for any cause or reason, except when you cease to squeeze the handle. IF you haven't previously overfilled, or seen others do it, your life has been very sheltered. Your car, you were in control of the pump, and you failed in your task.

If you think there was damage, you'll need an expert mechanic's opinion — and a realistic estimate of the repair cost**— to make your case. Get something like that, and if you think it's convincing enough, take it to the the gas station's management and see if they think buying you off at the cash register will be cheaper than hiring a lawyer tell you to go ahead and sue.
 

GameBoy27

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2004
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It's possible that you have damaged the charcoal canister or carbon filter. Have your car checked out by a mechanic if it's still running poorly.

You should never over-fill or top off your tank. To prevent spillage, ease up on the lever when filling the top part of the tank.

Don't even consider suing them.
 

lomotil

Well-known member
Mar 14, 2004
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Oblivion
It would be helpful for your cause if you are able to find out if others had the same experience for a class action case but this would be very difficult to establish. How long ago did this happen?
Maybe this have fixed the pump already ? The owner or manager might not be forthcoming with information but a casual part time employee with no skin in the game just might sing in your favor especially if they don't know what you might the information.
 

GameBoy27

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2004
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It would be helpful for your cause if you are able to find out if others had the same experience for a class action case but this would be very difficult to establish. How long ago did this happen?
Maybe this have fixed the pump already ? The owner or manager might not be forthcoming with information but a casual part time employee with no skin in the game just might sing in your favor especially if they don't know what you might the information.
The OP's wasting his time if he thinks he has any chance at compensation.
 
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