AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES COMMISSIONER: Sparks Advises Consumers About “Bad Gas”

FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES COMMISSIONER

July 02, 2008

MONTGOMERY – Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks advises consumers that there are some measures they can take to help protect themselves from receiving “bad gas.”  One of the most common complaints to the Department’s Weights and Measures Division recently has been about bad gas believed to contain sludge.  The Department inspectors have been extremely vigilant in their efforts to protect consumers from receiving bad gas, but there are some measures that consumers can take to help protect themselves and others.  

Some problems with sludge have been due to the addition of ethanol to the fuel.  Ethanol is an alternative fuel being used to supplement our fuel to prevent the United States from being 100% reliant on foreign oil.  Station owners have been in the process of purging their fuel systems because ethanol acts as a cleaning agent in station tanks and in motors, which can cause sludge to surface in fuel.   

“The problems with contaminated gas should be a temporary issue that will be resolved once station owners have purged their fuel systems,” said Sparks.  “It is extremely important that we are able to use alternative fuels.  Not only does it help us not rely on foreign sources of oil, but it helps farmers here in the US.”

  A build up of sludge can eventually cause damage to the pump filter and allow sludge into your vehicle’s gas tank.  If the pump runs slow, for example if it takes more than ten minutes to fill your tank, the filter is probably clogged and needs to be changed.  Inform the gas station attendant so that they can change the filter.   

For small engines, such as lawn mowers, consumers should visually inspect the fuel filter.  If you see contamination, change out the fuel filter to eliminate the problem.

  If consumers suspect there is a problem with gas contamination, they should immediately call the Department’s 1-800 number with the store location and pump number.  The 1-800 number is located on the Alabama shaped stickers on the pumps.