Rain in gas tank causing Fort Collins engine woes

Engine problems in at least five vehicles have been linked back to watery gas pumped at a Fort Collins gas and convenience store.

Everyday Convenience Store received five complaints from customers with engine issues after they filled up at the store at 949 South Taft Hill Road, store manager Sheila Roessler said.

The problem was caused by a leaky lid which allowed rainwater to seep into the underground tanks.

"When it rains real hard it rains like a river and runs right over one of my lids" Roessler said. The tanks "are getting fixed," have been inspected and tested and "everything's OK again."

Two of the affected vehicles were towed to Gilsdorf Garage, 1111 W. Mulberry St., Gilsdorf's manager Brandon Pursley said. Another came to light when a technician at another shop called Gilsdorf. "We found all the gas had come from the same spot," Pursley said.

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The vehicles had enough gas to get the drivers home but didn't have enough combustion to fire the next time. Typically, vehicles with water in their gas tank can sputter and run rough or fail to start.

Repairs involve draining gas from the tank and, depending on the age of the vehicle, can include pulling the gas tank. The standard charge to remove a gas tank runs between $50 and $75 at Gilsdorf's.

Roessler said the claim has been turned into Everyday's insurance carrier, which will be in touch with customers who reported engine problems caused by watery gas.

Roessler said repair expenses incurred by vehicle owners "would probably" be reimbursed, along with the cost of the gas.