A defective tank is to blame for contaminated gas that damaged a number of vehicles filling up at the new Centex Gas Station in Bearspaw last week. Lab results determined the gas was contaminated. “There was a manufacturing defect with the tank,” said Badru Laiwalla, a representative from Centex. Work to fix the tank began on Monday with the hopes of it being ready for business soon after. However, another lab test will be conducted to verify the gas is fit for consumers prior to re-opening. On July 19, the Centex – not Bearspaw Gas in Morley – shut its doors after multiple complaints of faulty gas caused cars to work slowly or not at all. Rahim Jooma, the owner of the Centex, added that anyone who filled up at the Centex and is experiencing problems with their car to give him a call. The gas station said it would pay for damage caused by the contamination. So far approximately 120 customers have come forward with complaints of mechanical issues as a result of the contamination. Matt Denney said his wife filled up their 2012 Ford Escape the morning of July 12 and the car hasn’t been the same since. “It started acting funny, it didn’t have any power. It would kind of shake and stall out and stop,” Denney said. Local mechanics including Cochrane Toyota and Don’t Panic Mechanic have had their shops fill up with appointments for cars all showing similar symptoms. “Some of the vehicles have been running pretty rough to running very poorly,” said Barry Knobbe from Don’t Panic Mechanic. “And then you get to the extreme point like I have here with these vehicles that don’t run anymore, the fuel pumps themselves are burnt out.” Knobbe estimated that costs to repair damage from fuel problems can be upwards of $2,000.
