gasoline myth or not?
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
March 5, 2012 4:05pm CST
My hubby always says don't ever fill up on gas when there is a tanker truck there making a delivery of gasoline. He said it's because when they make a delivery it kicks up any crud or deposits from the bottom of the holding tank at the gas station and that would end up in your engine.
Is he accurate in saying this?
3 people like this
12 responses
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
6 Mar 12
That is true sometimes if you are that low on gas and your light is on you don't have much choice always.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
5 Mar 12
There may be some truth to that especially if the holding tanks are constantly refilled even when they are not fully emptied and not cleaned. Deposits may have accumulated already at the bottom. The new gasoline being pumped to the holding tank would sort of stir the old one, including the deposits, and thus mixing it with the new. I for one avoid filling up when I see a tanker truck in the process of pumping gas into the holding tank. But my primary concern however is the fear that an accident might happen during the transfer process.
2 people like this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
29 May 12
I've never thought about the prospect of an accident. But that is true you see many accidents in the movies with tanker trucks so it's always a possibility. Though the drivers of those trucks are specially licensed to drive such things.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
5 Mar 12
Yes....my sister did that and was driving down the road with some clients in the car ( she sells real estate) her car started acting funny....missing etc. Well the gas had sludge in it and gunked up her engine...it cost alot of money to get it fixed too! Now I always make sure to check to see if there is a tanker around...I will never fill up when they have just or are filling the tanks.
2 people like this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
5 Mar 12
How awful. The cost of repairs let alone the embarassment of having car trouble with clients with her. Was there any way she could seek damages for her repairs or was she just out of luck?
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Mar 12
Never heard of such a thing. Will have to ask hubby later.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
6 Mar 12
Yes, it is true...PLUS the truck delivering churns up a LOT of fumes & you don't get an accurate reading as to the amount pumped into your tank...so you may well overpay!!! This comes from a friend who owns a gas station. Some people say it's bogus; but personally, when in doubt I err to the side of caution & just keep on driving when the tanker is on the yard!!!
1 person likes this
@agmamayo (804)
• Philippines
5 Mar 12
There can be a good idea in that, because the pressure of the gasoline going into the holding tank can really destabilize the settled deposits or impurities on the bottom of the holding tank and thereby creating a mixture of grime and gasoline that can be sucked up by the pump whenever you are feeling your tank. Those crude grime and deposits will end up on your tank, and might clog up your fuel line if worse end up into your carburator or fuel injection mechanism. That is why I think it is better not to fill up whenever you see a tanker filling up the holding tank on a gas station, likewise there is a great possibility that some unfavorable accident might occur and may endanger you. I doubt if these gasoline stations regularly or routine clean their holding tanks. Unless their pumps have strainers on the them to filter any crude deposits that may be sucked up by these pumps when someone is filling gasoline in their cars. I think it would be good if I try to ask this question one time to a gasoline station owner to have a good idea about this unnoticed problem, because I am sure most of us don't have this idea after all, we sometime never care for small things. Have a good day, nice post. :)
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
7 Mar 12
I don't think so because where I come from that myth to me seems rather false. I go to a gas station where people are buying gas often, and people buy so much gas that there is never much fear of that. I have actually gone to the gas station when the tanker was there, and I never had any issues.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
6 Mar 12
I did respond to stine, below! This is an absolute myth...I can walk you thru all the technalities why this isn't possible...BUT the major one would be that neither I...as the gas outlet, NOR major Oil, wouldn't want to be embroiled in these letigous situations! Huge filtration, that DOES NOT allow this to happen!
If you wish to have me explain to you technically...let me know! I owned a Marina from 79-95 and sold hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel, so have a pretty good working knowledge of the system!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Mar 12
I have heard that too. I have also heard that there is water that condensates inside those tanks and it can get in your tank if it gets too low. That's what they told me when I had a frozen gas line once years ago. I suppose it could depend on the age of the tank too. I would say there is a certain amount of stuff that accumulate in there over the years. I might have to research it more. If I find something else out, I'll be back.
@cdecker02 (11)
• United States
6 Mar 12
I have never heard of this before, but it makes sense. Dirt and debris can get into the tank when the lid is open and then sink to the bottom. It may depend on how empty the tank is, and if the flow of new gasoline is reaching far enough down to stir it up.
