The gasoline incident.

Todd@RUPES

Todd@RUPES

Just a regular guy
The air was clean and sky was the nice shade of lavender this morning as I made the trek from Orlando to Stuart, FL. Wednesdays are office days (usually, and if Max reads this I am NOT promising I will be here every Wednesday) and my office is about a 2 hour drive. I cut some corners and exercised the 380 hp my 'lightly' modded engine produces.

I figured a few dollars of gas would give me enough to make the trek, so I stopped off before getting on the freeway. Debit card in, debit card out, my fingers danced across keypad like with the dexterity of a ninja. Time for a couple ounces of premium....

A fine mist struck my eyes first. With in a second I couldn't see. A couple of heartbeats I felt my back getting wet. My first thought was obviously logical,"How is it raining under the canopy and why is this rain blinding me." Then the smell hit me...gasoline. I stepped back, rubbed my eyes (which really didn't help) and looked at the situation. The hose from the pump to the nozzle had a ball like fitting that had split/separated and was spraying a fine mist (think of a pressure washer on a fan setting) all over my car.

After yelling at the attendant (who advised me that it would run out of gas!) I pushed my car out of the stall (getting soaked in gasoline in the process).

Modern clear coats are pretty durable, but noway was I going to make the remaining 90 minute trip with gas all over my car as the sun baked it in. What to do?

I grabbed some dish washing soap from the gas station (and refused to pay for it), a huge "Big-Gulp" cup, and a hand full of paper napkins and gave my car a quick bath in the parking lot. Luckily I had pushed my car close to a water spigot so it wasn't too much work and in 20 minutes I had a clear car, free of wax, but also free of gasoline.

I stripped off my shirt, argued with the attendant on whether I should have to pay for the cup and soap, then made the trek to PBMG. Once I got here I pulled the car into Mike Phillip's Autogeek Studio and did a quick water-less wash with DP's Waterless Auto Wash followed by a couple coats of Blackfire Wet Diamond. There was no permanent damage and because I keep my car clean the napkins didn't cause any swirl marks. The only issue I had was the tail light cover had a cloudy film, which polished away by hand with a drop of Menzerna Super Finish.

Sometimes it seems the car gods are out to get us. Anybody ever had just weird events or circumstances that take place, seemingly for the only reason to prevent you from keeping your car looking great?

As I side note, I am never going anywhere again with out a handful of microfiber towels and at least a spray wash like DP, Optimum Opti-Clean, or Utlima.
 
Why yes, there was the day I got stuck on the highway (stuck meaning I couldn't change lanes or pull off) behind a dump truck spewing rocks and sand...

But back to today, how did you get yourself de-gasolined enough to sit in your car for 2 hours--even with taking your shirt off?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Why yes, there was the day I got stuck on the highway (stuck meaning I couldn't change lanes or pull off) behind a dump truck spewing rocks and sand...

But back to today, how did you get yourself de-gasolined enough to sit in your car for 2 hours--even with taking your shirt off?
Click to expand...

I really didn't. I took my shirt off and my shoes and put them in a plastic bag and drove with the windows down (minus a quick pseudo rinse off in the bathroom). I figured if I still smelled like gas the crew at PBMG would kick me out and I could go home. It didn't work :(

I have been stuck behind one of those stupid (should be illegal) construction trucks with the tarps over the bed and you can just hear the damage being done.
 
I would have happily paid for the cup and soap, then visited the ER for the gas in the eyes, called the EPA to have them check that the fuel was properly contained and cleaned up, and submitted an invoice for a premium detail.:rofl
 
dwgcmc said:
I would have happily paid for the cup and soap, then visited the ER for the gas in the eyes, called the EPA to have them check that the fuel was properly contained and cleaned up, and submitted an invoice for a premium detail.:rofl
Click to expand...

in canada, most small spills do not need to get reported (under 10 or 25 liters which is like 2.5-7 gallon) but since contact to eyes was involved, i was expecting more health action to be taken at that time
 
Not my car but I do have a story.

When I was in drivers ed the cars were always cleaned before each day. We were the first to drive so we had a nice clean car to drive around in. Once we returned from our drive it was time for the second group to use the cars while we went to the class room. We came out at the end of class as the second group pulled up. We could smell something but what was it? As we get closer to the cars one has what appears to be mud all over it. When we asked if they went off roading the instructor laughed and said that they had gotten on the highway behind a cattle truck. Needless to say I was sure glad I didn't have to clean that car up.

I also had a gas station situation at one time. You know how the nozzle will pop and stop pumping when the tank is full? Well I had a defective pump and it didn't stop when the car was full. I ended up with gasoline on my shoes, pants and all down the side of my car. I could smell gasoline on my hands for days even with washing them in everything I could find.
 
Sorry to hear about the incident Todd....man I would have been pist! Probably more about myself and clothes being covered more than the car.


I hear you on having towels and some sort of waterless wash in the car. I was out at a house party last weekend and had to park on the street. Came out later that afternoon to the neighbors sprinkler having sprayed all over the car. Damage was already done and the best I could do was hit a touch-less wash at that point. Hoping it will come off chemically since the car really didn't need to be polished. :(
 
I always gave a 2liter bottle of no salt added seltzer in my car and MF towels to power away bird bombs on the road. I am in sales and on the road constantly. It works.
 
Sorry to hear this Todd, I didn't even know this happen to you today. Like always my Mazda has supplies to tackle almost anything that might happen along the way the PBMG. It's almost a 4 hr drive for me ( one way ) and the last thing I want is to get my ride's paint damaged in some way along central Florida back roads where there's no place to wash off a car.
 
Sorry to hear that happened to you. Time is hard enough to find to have to go back and re-wax your ride again.

Most importantly you're okay and no issues from the gasoline in the eyes.

They shoulda given you free gas...hehe.
 
I think everyone is missing the point. And the main focus, at least as I see it, is.....

How the h**l did you manage 380hp from a Speed3? You must have some guns to handle that amount of torque steer, it'd probably rip the steering wheel out of most people's hands.

And would ANY of it work on my Mazda3s 2.5? I hope it's not all boost, is it?
 
Todd- you drive a speed3? What color? I still want one. Everytime I fill up my truck on the way home I always kick myself for not getting one. The dealership by my house has one in the "jewel box" display.
 
Todd- in a word, disaster! :eek: If you're still bothered enough by the incident, which sounds like the station has failed a safety inspection, which I'm sure is mandatory, I'd follow up on this and report them. Car people or not, that is a problem for all customers who go there. Sheesh, and I thought having some credit card fraud issues at a gas station was a hassle. Glad to hear you and your car are okay. Any traces of the odors any more?
 
I think you handled it quite well Todd. That could have turned bad real quick.
I was filling up a 61 Alfa SZ (the filler neck is in the trunk). I always fill up old cars as carefully as I can. Aparrently the shut off failed and dumped gas out the overflow between the body and tank. I caught it quickly but it still made a small puddle under the vehicle.
I wasn't as nice as you. If it would have come over the top the tunk would have gas everywhere. The battery is right next to the filler. They imediately came out and put a bag on the nozzle.
Problems like this can turn a fill up into a catastrophe.
Glad your ok.
 
Does it make much of a difference if the gas station is newer or does this type of thing happen any time,any place?
 
I wonder what the Auto Geek Bosses( Im sure the female employees liked it)thought when you showed up for work shirtless and shoeless !? :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top