Water in Gas at Sunoco 41 & Burnt Store (Cape Coral, Fort Myers: Home Depot, inspection)

[the searchers]

Jun 22, 2017

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. -- A Southwest Florida mother says she fueled up her new car at a gas station in Punta Gorda, but when she drove away, her brand new car started making all sorts of noises.

"My check engine light automatically came on and it was blinking," said Shea Louis after she fueled up her 2017 Nissan Altima at the Sunoco on the corner of US 41 and Burnt Store Road. "My car was very sluggish, it wouldn't go over 35 miles per hour, so it took a while to get home," she added.

Louis called the gas station immediately.

"They told me on the phone that I'm not the first person who has had that same problem with the gas," said Louis.

Her car needed to be serviced for two days.

4 In Your Corner called Sunoco's corporate office to see what was going on in that particular store. A spokesperson says once they caught wind of Shea's message, the gas station was shut down. They discovered the problem, drained the tanks, and fixed the issue. The Sunoco passed a state inspection and drivers that fueled up today had no problems at the pump.


Southwest Florida mother says she bought watered-down gas - Fox 4 Now WFTX Fort Myers/Cape Coral

[Ron61]

At least it happened here in sunny Florida. I had it happen to me on a bitterly cold January day in Ohio several years ago. Nothing like seeing ice setting on the top of the carburetor!

[Restrain]

Our neighbor got watered gas at the Sunoco at Port Charlotte Blvd and 41. Sounds like a issue with the distributor.

[the searchers]

Here is a description of what to look for.



Drivers should listen for sputtering, backfiring or stuttering sounds if you fueled up with what turns out to be watered-down gasoline. There is no other way to know if your car needs service until about 3 to 5 miles after riding away.

"You can't tell until you drive away, there's no way of knowing, it's impossible," said Wynter.

The first call drivers should make should to be where you bought the gas from. If you don't follow this protocol, Wynter says it might cost you hundreds of dollars.

"Protect yourself on this, don't take it upon yourself to get the car fixed and then trying to recoup your loss on this because the chance of it happening are slim," he said.

SWFL drivers fear watered-down gas - Fox 4 Now WFTX Fort Myers/Cape Coral

[double6's]

ok then, Sunoco is no go (literally)..got it..thanks for the tips..

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by double6's

ok then, Sunoco is no go (literally)..got it..thanks for the tips..

Never got gas there luckily. That place always looks a bit shady. I always go to the nearby circle K next to Home Depot or Pilot or Shell.

[the searchers]

At 3:00 PM today all the gasoline nozzles at the Sunoco 41 & Burnt Store Rd. were covered by white plastic.

Same as last week when they had water in the Gas.