Contaminated Fuel

Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 20:48
Last edited 24/08/2018 - 23:15

Yesterday I went to caltex in my area and filled up from empty. 2kms down the road my car died and I was stuck on the side of the road. I called caltex and they initially denied having any issues but later that night I saw that the bowsers had been shut down and something was being fixed.

After my car had died I called out lube mobile to fix it. He cleaned all the fuel out along with a few other things. The original quote was going to cost $800 but I told him to skip a few things and he brought it down to $600.

Today I contacted caltex again and they said they had a problem and roughly 12 cars were affected. They're ready to reimburse me the $650 ($600 repairs, $50 fuel) and have emailed me all paperwork to start the claim.

It says clearly on the paperwork that once I receive the money they are no longer accountable and that's the end of it. But now I'm wondering whether or not I should get my car properly checked out as I dont want it dying on my again down the track and me having to foot the bill.

It was fixed pretty quickly and the mechanic said he did clean out as much water as he possibly could. I did drive it this morning and it was a little rough but driving okay. What are the chances that watery/dirty fuel will cause further problems in a week or two down the track? Is it worth getting it checked over again or should I just go through with the claim and hope nothing else happens to my car??

Here's a picture of the fuel sample that came out of my car..
https://ibb.co/htrqQ9

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2018 - 20:56
    +12

    Get it checked properly by a mechanic, not some mobile mechanic who may be limited in what he can check on the side of the road.

  • distemper on 24/08/2018 - 20:57
    -2

    ACA

  • chumlee on 24/08/2018 - 20:58
    +2

    Slip in a new receipt for a higher amount

    • ronnknee on 24/08/2018 - 21:03
      +6

      This. It looks like they're prepared to pay for the inspection/repairs. Your justification is that the initial inspection/repair was just to get you back going on the road. The second inspection is to make sure everything is alright (especially if they're removing all the liability from this claim).

      Also name and shame the specific Caltex.

      • Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 21:09

        I named and shamed on facebook. Had over 400 comments and the owner of the caltex was very applogetic and asked me to delete it so I did. Probably a big reason why I'm being reimbursed. He accepts all fault but it's been sent to head office who are now dealing with the claim.

        • ronnknee on 24/08/2018 - 21:16
          +1

          Probably a big reason why I'm being reimbursed.

          You're getting reimbursed because they damaged your car, not because you deleted a Facebook post.

          Anyway, $650 sounds very cheap for them to have all liability removed.

        • Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 21:20

          That is true but I called them twice yesterday and they denied everything and blamed my car. I called this morning and first thing he asked was are you the person who put the post on facebook.. then all of a sudden it was 'I'm sorry we will pay please delete the post'

        • Diji1 on 25/08/2018 - 00:51
          +1

          @ronnknee: Yes, that's what's happening despite the hundreds or thousands of examples of businesses doing exactly what OP is saying. The business was just being a reasonable entity, not unreasonable, honest, nothing to do with Facebook posts, no business would behave like that ever.

        • ronnknee on 25/08/2018 - 09:32

          @Diji1: Not sure if you're being sarcastic. It's either Caltex provides an immediate reimbursement or they receive a class action from the 12 car owners.

  • rompastompa on 24/08/2018 - 21:03
    +3

    But now I'm wondering whether or not I should get my car properly checked out as I dont want it dying on my again down the track and me having to foot the bill.

    Yes.

  • whooah1979 on 24/08/2018 - 21:11

    he brought it down to $600

    the cost of the repair was $600 plus the contaminated fuel. how much compensation are you hoping you may get?

    • Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 21:17
      -1

      It was suppose to cost $800 but the mechanic didnt do a few things as i said originally. So now I'm wondering if that will cause problems as he didnt clean everything out. Just cleaned enough to make it drivable again. I'm happy with the cost of repairs but signing this form means they're no longer liable and that worries me if my car breaks down in 2 weeks time..

      • whooah1979 on 24/08/2018 - 21:23

        they may settle for $800 if you ask just to get you to go away. however, $800 was not the cost of your loss. your loss was $600 for the repairs plus what you paid for the fuel.

        • Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 23:12

          I'm not looking for extra money. More so wondering whether lube mobile is good enough or if I should take it to a mechanic and get a second opinion before I sign the paperwork and they're no longer liable for further damage.

        • Diji1 on 25/08/2018 - 00:53
          +1

          @goog101: Dude, here's how it works: they're responsible for any losses that you take.

          So you need to get the car checked out again and send them the bill. If it has further repairs required then they're responsible for that also.

  • garffi on 24/08/2018 - 22:55
    +1

    Just curious, was it unleaded or diesel?

    • Noragrets on 24/08/2018 - 23:10

      It was unleaded

  • pegaxs on 25/08/2018 - 06:38

    $600 ~ $800 to drain a fuel tank, put fresh fuel in and purge the fuel lines. I wish I was your mechanic…

    What things did you ask the mechanic to not do that bought the price down $200?

    • Nugs on 25/08/2018 - 08:14
      +2

      top up blinker fluid maybe?

      .

    • Noragrets on 25/08/2018 - 10:36

      I actually cant remember but one of the things were changing the spark plugs.
      This was my receipt
      https://ibb.co/jMUe3U

      • OpayuOnam on 25/08/2018 - 12:23

        A whole bunch of buzz words in there…
        Not particularly sure about the second part of the work.
        And "needs a good service" do we have bad ones as well?
        Also looks like he didn't even give you that much fuel: "need refuelling asap"

        Surely be thankful for being back on the road but it looks like too much of charge for some absic stuff.

        • Noragrets on 25/08/2018 - 12:42

          That's what I was thinking. Also why I'm wondering if I should get it looked at properly.

          He put just over 1/4 of a tank and charged me $45 for it. But he did say to fill up with 98 to clean out my tank. Not sure what he used though. I'm assuming 91.

          Calling him out was my only option as my car was not moving anywhere and I didnt really want to pay for a tow truck. Its definetly driving now but there have been moments where it's been a little rough.

        • OpayuOnam on 25/08/2018 - 15:22

          @goog101: if it was me I'd get it checked by a mechanic and charge it to Caltex. To get a piece of mind.
          And this is the sort of thing that makes me appreciate having a roadside assistance… You never know when you need it.

  • DarkOz on 25/08/2018 - 07:49
    +1

    I would take it to an authorised dealer to have it fully checked out and certified.

    • whooah1979 on 25/08/2018 - 08:44

      What’s wrong with an indie?

      • DarkOz on 25/08/2018 - 08:53

        Nothing wrong with an indie but if Caltex is paying for it I would prefer an authorised dealer. I personally hate authorised dealers and I try to avoid them anyway I can unless it's within the warranty period.

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