Help! Puerto Rico car rental agency says I put diesel in gas tank

[criscoloo]

While driving on the main highway from Farjado, Puerto Rico to San Juan, our minivan rental started making loud scraping noises and could barely get up an incline on the road. We stopped by one of the gas stations by the side of the highway (I don't recall if it was a Puma or some other local brand you see all over Puerto Rico) to see if there was anything under the car that might have caused the scraping sound. We didn't see anything and decided to add $10 of gas since we were at the gas station. My husband paid in cash inside, so that we could pump gas outside. After we got back on the highway, the car continued to make loud noises and have difficulty going uphill. We made it to a car rental office right off the highway that we saw, which was technically closed but had several personnel. The manager went outside with my husband to look at the car which at that point, wouldn't start at all now. The manager arranged for a replacement car to be driven from the airport location (about 10-15 minutes away) to us so that we could switch cars and that was the end of that. Well, we now get a call from the hotel location where we rented the car originally about 5 weeks later saying that their report shows that we put diesel in the car and that we have to pay for all the repairs. He did not have the amount of money they say we owe, but said that we would get a formal letter from their risk management asking us to pay. There is no way for us to confirm or deny which gas we put in the car since we paid in cash, other than my husband recalling that he selected the cheapest gas with the lowest octane from the pump. Somehow, I don't think diesel has 3 different price ranges, nor is diesel cheap compared to regular gas, nor would I think you could fit a diesel nozzle into a gas tank, but perhaps it's different in Puerto Rico. My Amex loss damage waiver does not cover the damage in this case because I had to have rejected damage waiver coverage, but the car rental place only had 2 insurance packages available, basic coverage and premium coverage. We chose premium, but I think both coverages included damage waiver. I could not pick and choose the type of coverage in each package offered, even though we asked the question at the time of rental and were told that we could only buy the basic or premium "package". Any ideas as to how I can get out of this mess? If somehow we pumped diesel into the gas tank, we did not do it intentionally. In fact, the hotel car rental agent said that in his 5 years of working there, he has never seen this happen before.

 

[Arthur92]

While driving on the main highway from Farjado, Puerto Rico to San Juan, our minivan rental started making loud scraping noises and could barely get up an incline on the road. We stopped by one of the gas stations by the side of the highway (I don't recall if it was a Puma or some other local brand you see all over Puerto Rico) to see if there was anything under the car that might have caused the scraping sound. We didn't see anything and decided to add $10 of gas since we were at the gas station. My husband paid in cash inside, so that we could pump gas outside. After we got back on the highway, the car continued to make loud noises and have difficulty going uphill. We made it to a car rental office right off the highway that we saw, which was technically closed but had several personnel. The manager went outside with my husband to look at the car which at that point, wouldn't start at all now. The manager arranged for a replacement car to be driven from the airport location (about 10-15 minutes away) to us so that we could switch cars and that was the end of that. Well, we now get a call from the hotel location where we rented the car originally about 5 weeks later saying that their report shows that we put diesel in the car and that we have to pay for all the repairs. He did not have the amount of money they say we owe, but said that we would get a formal letter from their risk management asking us to pay. There is no way for us to confirm or deny which gas we put in the car since we paid in cash, other than my husband recalling that he selected the cheapest gas with the lowest octane from the pump. Somehow, I don't think diesel has 3 different price ranges, nor is diesel cheap compared to regular gas, nor would I think you could fit a diesel nozzle into a gas tank, but perhaps it's different in Puerto Rico. My Amex loss damage waiver does not cover the damage in this case because I had to have rejected damage waiver coverage, but the car rental place only had 2 insurance packages available, basic coverage and premium coverage. We chose premium, but I think both coverages included damage waiver. I could not pick and choose the type of coverage in each package offered, even though we asked the question at the time of rental and were told that we could only buy the basic or premium "package". Any ideas as to how I can get out of this mess? If somehow we pumped diesel into the gas tank, we did not do it intentionally. In fact, the hotel car rental agent said that in his 5 years of working there, he has never seen this happen before.

LAWYER UP and fight it to the end. they must produce docs from the repair job that's state Diesel fuel was used. and if you & had issues with car driving before u put a top of fuel it's the car now they passing the bill on you.

 

[jcjen519]

an old boss of mine had a diesel truck (a ford F350 or something..the huge king ranch or something like that) and he once put regular gas in it. According to him that is a much bigger mistake then the other way around. (now this is not first hand knowledge but just what he told us). He had to have his car towed because it basically shut down on the highway. the repair bills were high but under $1000 i believe. He was still driving the car a year later and to the best of my knowledge still is.

if diesel was used in the car based on that I can't imagine the repair bills would be high enough that if you refused to pay they would actively pursue this. Not to mention that $10 in gas is not all that much gas. If they had the ability to simply charge a credit card of yours I would assume that they would do this. You may want to call your credit card company and have new cards issued to avoid the charge.

Do you have any lawyer friends who'd send a letter on letterhead on your behalf? You may even be able to find an attorney you can pay to do this and you could avoid the cost of more then just the letter as long as you sign whatever the attorney wants you to making it clear he/she does not represent you but was simply hired to handle the letter itself. I would imagine that if you don't pay up easily the company is not going to continue to pursue you. they'll incur costs in doing so and i'd guess it would quickly add up to the repair bill....not to mention that they probably get their vehicles repaired more cheaply then you or I do.

 

[bound4wdw]

I would google the company to see if this is something they have done in the past. That might give you a better idea if this is a practice for them.

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Fight it. Ask for documentation of every charge, and do some research - as you mentioned, will a diesel pump nozzle fit into that tank? Ask for their estimate, in English, and have a body shop here look over what they're claiming. You said that the car was having issues prior to you adding gas; make sure the body shop knows that. Don't get me wrong, sometimes renters are at fault for damage, and if something happens to the car while you have it in your possession, you are responsible, but unfortunately, I guess it's universal because rental car companies here try to do the same thing, and pass on mechanical or other issues onto a renter!

I wouldn't get a lawyer unless you need to or feel uncomfortable fighting on your own; no reason to pay for an attorney at this point, because it's going to be a fee on you, they're not going to get you any kind of settlement. Too many people jump right on getting a lawyer, instead of doing a little leg work themselves, and it's not always beneficial.

If you do ultimately wind up being responsible and having to pay for the damage, make sure you've looked over all the fees they're asking for. If they ask you for administrative fees, tell them if they can prove they hired someone to handle just your claim, you'll pay, otherwise that fee is covering the cost of doing business, and there's no reason for you to have to pay it. The same thing for loss of use; that would mean they're saying they lost out because the vehicle you damaged wasn't available for rental, but if they ask you to pay it, ask them to prove that they had no vehicles available; there are reports they can run to support that if they need to. In short, they need to support their demands if they expect you to pay them.

Hope it works out well for you!

(I'm a claims adjuster for a large auto insurance company! )

 

[su_A_ve]

Sounds more than likely that the previous renters put the wrong fuel...
Do you have a receipt showing what type of gas you put in?

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

... I would imagine that if you don't pay up easily the company is not going to continue to pursue you. they'll incur costs in doing so and i'd guess it would quickly add up to the repair bill....not to mention that they probably get their vehicles repaired more cheaply then you or I do.

Rental car companies can be quite aggressive, at least the companies here in the States are, and have claims departments to pursue renters. Even if the OP just ignores them, they may not go the collection route (although they might), but they would put her on a blacklist (do not rent). While that may seem to be not such a big deal, just because she rented from Acme Rental, it may not just be Acme's list that she winds up on. There has to be some recourse, or they'd just wind up eating any damage to their vehicles, and they're not going to do that.

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Sounds more than likely that the previous renters put the wrong fuel...
Do you have a receipt showing what type of gas you put in?

I think she said they paid cash for the gas...

 

[JohnDS]

I had a Mercury Sable that someone (not me) managed to get about a half tank of Diesel into. I checked with a local mechanic and was told to just cut it the rest of the way with regular fuel and that I'd probably have to change the spark plugs when it was done but that otherwise it would be ok. It ran lousy and smoked like a brush fire until it cleared but it did clear. My repair bill was about 15 bucks for new plugs. If they are claiming more damage I'd demand proof.

 

[criscoloo]

We paid cash. There were a total of 4 adults in the car and we all noticed the scraping noise and the problem with going up an incline way before we even got to a gas station. The rental car place is a national U.S. company, with several offices in Puerto Rico, so I imagine I'll be dealing with a risk management office in Florida or something.

To the claims adjuster, THANK YOU For all the useful tips. I actually called one of the local gas companies in Puerto Rico a short while ago (they have gas stations all over Puerto Rico and I'm pretty sure the gas station is owned by the company I spoke with) and spoke with someone in sales who said that there is no way to put a diesel nozzle into a gas tank because the diesel nozzle is bigger than the gas tank hole. He also said that the diesel pump is always located far away from the gas pumps which are under canopies because trucks, which use diesel, don't fit under the canopies. I suppose I'll have to get all of this in writing somehow. Don't know if the gas company will be cooperative once I ask for a statement in writing.

 

[STUR]

While driving on the main highway from Farjado, Puerto Rico to San Juan, our minivan rental started making loud scraping noises and could barely get up an incline on the road. We stopped by one of the gas stations by the side of the highway (I don't recall if it was a Puma or some other local brand you see all over Puerto Rico) to see if there was anything under the car that might have caused the scraping sound. We didn't see anything and decided to add $10 of gas since we were at the gas station. My husband paid in cash inside, so that we could pump gas outside. After we got back on the highway, the car continued to make loud noises and have difficulty going uphill. We made it to a car rental office right off the highway that we saw, which was technically closed but had several personnel. The manager went outside with my husband to look at the car which at that point, wouldn't start at all now. The manager arranged for a replacement car to be driven from the airport location (about 10-15 minutes away) to us so that we could switch cars and that was the end of that. Well, we now get a call from the hotel location where we rented the car originally about 5 weeks later saying that their report shows that we put diesel in the car and that we have to pay for all the repairs. He did not have the amount of money they say we owe, but said that we would get a formal letter from their risk management asking us to pay. There is no way for us to confirm or deny which gas we put in the car since we paid in cash, other than my husband recalling that he selected the cheapest gas with the lowest octane from the pump. Somehow, I don't think diesel has 3 different price ranges, nor is diesel cheap compared to regular gas, nor would I think you could fit a diesel nozzle into a gas tank, but perhaps it's different in Puerto Rico. My Amex loss damage waiver does not cover the damage in this case because I had to have rejected damage waiver coverage, but the car rental place only had 2 insurance packages available, basic coverage and premium coverage. We chose premium, but I think both coverages included damage waiver. I could not pick and choose the type of coverage in each package offered, even though we asked the question at the time of rental and were told that we could only buy the basic or premium "package". Any ideas as to how I can get out of this mess? If somehow we pumped diesel into the gas tank, we did not do it intentionally. In fact, the hotel car rental agent said that in his 5 years of working there, he has never seen this happen before.

I don't think diesel has 3 different price ranges, nor is diesel cheap compared to regular gas, nor would I think you could fit a diesel nozzle into a gas tank,

You answered your own ?
I would fight it
its a shame you paid cash and have no receipt

 

[criscoloo]

Paying in cash versus credit card is an ongoing battle between my husband and me. He's always in a rush and can't wait even 5 seconds for a credit card transaction to be completed. I always pay by credit card in order to have a record of all of my purchases. I can't even say "Told you so!" because it wouldn't help ;-(

 

[mtchurchmonica]

spoke with someone in sales who said that there is no way to put a diesel nozzle into a gas tank because the diesel nozzle is bigger than the gas tank hole. ..... Don't know if the gas company will be cooperative once I ask for a statement in writing.

Yes! The fact that the diesel spout wouldn't fit in my car's gas tank hole saved me from making just the thing you are being wrongly accuse of doing.

That's some kind of shady business on the part of the rental company. You have my sympathy.

 

[criscoloo]

Solitary Phoenix,

I know that each auto insurance policy is different, but I did purchase the "premium" insurance coverage offered by the national (U.S.) rental car company. Wouldn't something like this be covered by the insurance package that I paid $40 per day for?

 

[JohnDS]

Yes! The fact that the diesel spout wouldn't fit in my car's gas tank hole saved me from making just the thing you are being wrongly accuse of doing.

That only works some of the time, the other part of the time you get to hear, "I would have filled it up but I couldn't get the nozzle to fit right so I gave up after half a tank."

 

[ocspartan]

First off that sucks, good luck, fight the good fight.... Hopefully since it sounds like you bought insurance you will only be responsible for a deductible. You are correct that diesel pumps are larger and will not fit nicely into a standard gas tank, however that doesn't mean that you can't make it fit, from what you described it sort of does sound like diesel in the engine, as long as you had some regular gas in the tank before hand the car will still start but it will perform really sluggishly, like you described until the gas was gone and then the car would stall, bc diesel won't "burn" in a gas engine.... Pp was right that gas in a diesel is way worse, in this case they might need to replace spark plugs, but the major cost is draining out the diesel from the tanks and fuel lines etc... This is where the charges will vary bc it's mostly a labor charge... Good luck know your rights, car rental agencies can be relentless

 

[bringmethathorizon]

10.00 of diesel is only 3 gals or so.depending on the size of tank,just filling it up with reg gas and running it out should do it.now it will smoke like a freight train but should be ok.
sounds like something was already wrong with it and they are trying to get you for as much as they can.
now if it was the other way around gas in diesel engine /thats a no no
good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH, who has lived everywhere and worked as a mechanic (cars, oil tankers) says that it is an *international* standard that diesel nozzles are bigger than gasoline tanks. Of course, PR is a US territory so I'm not saying that the international thing covers PR...but I am saying that it doesn't seem like there would be a place where a diesel nozzle would actually fit into a gasoline tank. Seems like you would REALLY have to want to get that diesel in there to do it.

Fight it all the way!



I think that what ocspartan is saying is what my husband was saying (but I started to tune out as I typed)...but if so, it sounds like the LAST people who had it made this mistake. The car was running poorly BEFORE you gassed up. Focus on that. And with your husband being a hurry-up type at the gas station, he's not likely to stand there fiddling with a nozzle that doesn't fit into the tank, and would realize something was wrong.

 

[criscoloo]

It really sounds like it's pretty hard to make such a mistake, especially since the car rental agent said he never had this happen before in his 5 years of working at the car rental place. It's not like we're tourists who don't know how to pump gas. With PR being a U.S. territory, I imagine that it follows a certain industry standard and that the nozzles being different sizes is an industry standard (whether U.S. or elsewhere). But then again, what do I know. I do agree though that there's no way DH tried very hard to jam a bigger diesel nozzle into a smaller gas tank opening. We only put $10 of "gas" in the car and it's not like he had difficulty with it. There were 3 adults in the car sitting in the car while he was pumping the gas. There's no way we would've missed hearing DH trying to jam a too-big nozzle into the opening. That said, it's a "he said, she said" dispute and I have a bad feeling this isn't going to end well for me :-(

 

[SuperDry]

Paying in cash versus credit card is an ongoing battle between my husband and me. He's always in a rush and can't wait even 5 seconds for a credit card transaction to be completed.

It takes far LONGER to pay with cash, as you have to go inside. If you pay by credit card, you do so at the pump in most cases these days.