More reports of bad gasoline

04:23 PM PDT on Monday, May 23, 2005
By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – There was a major announcement Monday in the growing faulty-fuel controversy that has hit gas stations all around the area.

ConocoPhillips now says its bad gas may have made its way into every county in Western Washington: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Jefferson, Island, Clallam, Lewis and Pacific.

ConocoPhillips says every 76 gas station in Western Washington is affected by the announcement and anyone who has bought gas there recently and has experienced problems such as stalling, hesitating or backfiring is entitled to a free fix.

Last Friday, ConocoPhillips announced a "heavy polymer" had made its way into all grades of gas shipped out from its Ferndale refinery, clogging cars' fuel injectors and causing them to quit running.

The company says they found out about the problem two weeks ago but some mechanics say it has been going on with countless cars for at least two months.

ConocoPhillips originally said the problem was contained to a few gas stations in Whatcom and Skagit counties, but complaints from Sequim to Centralia prompted the company to concede they can't be sure any of its gas in Western Washington is safe.

ConocoPhillips isn't saying how the contamination occurred, when it happened or even how much bad gas was sold. But they say gas is now safe.
Resources

ConocoPhillips approved dealers

ConocoPhillips press release

What should you do?

If you think your car has been damaged by Phillips 76 gas, go to one of the 300 approved service stations (see link) to take a look at your car. If they determine you got bad fuel, they will fix it for free and then bill the gas company. Drivers also can call ConocoPhillips customer service at 800-527-5476.

Online at:
www.king5.com/localnews/

ConocoPhillips:
www.conocophillips.com/newsroom/