More than 100 drivers in the province of Valencia were affected by a problem at a gas station in Alaquàs. These users unknowingly filled their vehicles with gasoline mixed with water. This incident has generated considerable media attention in Spain, as vehicle owners are now facing a serious breakdown that could result in significant costs. The combination of water and fuel is extremely harmful to vehicles.
Therefore, it is crucial to know exactly which fuel is being used. Although both well-known and budget gas stations generally offer the same fuel, such an incident can cause serious damage to the vehicle. It is important to know how to determine if the gasoline in the tank is mixed with water.
The breakdown caused by the mixture of gasoline and water
The company that owns the gas station, Ballenoil, released a statement apologizing to those affected: “Due to a technical defect at our Alaquàs facility, external water leaked into the 95 gasoline tank, causing breakdowns in the vehicles of several of our customers,” the company stated. “As soon as we became aware of the problem, we immediately stopped selling gasoline to initiate the product recall and took the necessary corrective and preventive measures to resolve the breakdown.”
Furthermore, Ballenoil admits that they are “in contact with the authorities” and will “strengthen their technical protocols to ensure that such a situation does not occur again.” The truth is that the breakdown caused by the water is significantly damaging to the vehicles, as the water accumulates at the bottom of the tanks due to its higher density. This risks soaking vital vehicle components, such as the engine. It is estimated that the repair costs for each affected owner will be at least €600.
What happens when water is mixed with gasoline
Gas stations have measuring devices to determine if a significant amount of water has entered the pumps; drivers, however, have no way to verify this. However, they can determine if water has entered the car after refueling. To do so, they should consider several factors, such as problems starting and accelerating the vehicle and its performance on the road.
An even safer method is to take a small sample of gasoline from the tank and let it sit for a few minutes. If the two elements have been mixed, the water will be visible at the bottom of the sample due to its higher density. Therefore, if there is any doubt, it is advisable to do this check before the breakdown worsens.
