Drake Petroleum Company Inc.

I fueled my perfectly running truck at their newly restored service station on Danielson Pike in Scituate, RI and the fuel was bad and my engine blew.On 8/21/2014 I fueled my 2003 Ford F-350 Diesel with 104,000 miles at the XtraMart in Scituate, RI owned by Drake Petroleum. It was between 10 and 11 AM and I filled the tank (as the low fuel light had just illuminated) with $93.96 worth of Diesel. The truck began running rough so from experience I put in dry gas. It did not help and vehicle eventually stalled and would not restart. After having it towed my mechanic drained fuel and informed me that the tank was half full with something other than diesel. He changed fuel filters and water separator was drained and after picking truck it continued running rough and smoking.We attempted to top it with fresh fuel from the other [redacted] owned by same company next town over (where I have filled truck ten years prior and never had problem), but it appeared to be too late. When I restared truck steam began billowing from the engine compartment indicating (from what a number of mechanics have agreed) is a blown head gasket or gaskets, caused by excess water in the fuel unable to compress creating great pressure and steam and head gasket failure resulting. We did not save any fuel sample. My mechanic will give a written statement as to his findings and the resulting failure. I contacted [redacted] they deferred me to Drake Petroleum, where a woman named [redacted] called me. She was receptive until finding out I did not save a fuel sample and she came back with the fact that their tanks and equipment show no signs of water (NEARLY ONE MONTH LATER)and denied our claim, basically calling myself and our mechanic untruthful. We had other people mention similar issues but with all big companies no one wants to get involved. My truck was perfect, I filled it there, my mechanic found it to be half full with contaminant, my engine failed and those are the facts and I want them to fix it.Less than three months ago we inspected, put new brakes, tires, shocks, ball joints and complete lube service because we take care of our vehicles and this is our plow truck in the winter.We will be sending this same complaint to RI Attorney General. Thank you.Desired SettlementI want my engine fixed. We will be sending it to a mechanic for complete overhaul. I would like any part of that overhaul and failure discovery, which is a direct result of Drake Petroleum/ [redacted] fuel that was provided to me at the [redacted] on [redacted] to be taken care of by them. They have insurance, they know the issue is valid and should do what's right.Business Response Dear [redacted]Please accept our apology in getting back to you but we only received your letter today, 10-24-14, regarding case #XXXXXX. [redacted] didn't receive the first letter you mentioned. Mr [redacted] came to [redacted] about two weeks after he purchased Diesel fuel at this station. He spoke to our manager [redacted] about his vehicle. [redacted] researched our tank monitor slips which report any water in the tank. These came up with "0" water the day before, day of and day after and so on. We also stick the tanks daily for water with water paste and log it. That also came up clean, no detection of water. We sell an average of 300 gallons of diesel a day and have had no other complaints. Since our research found no evidence of water in the fuel,Mr [redacted] claim was denied. [redacted] Consumer Response (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)Since the incident, I had the engine overhauled by Wayne's Diesel in Richmond where they found there is water above piston in cylinders. The engine was otherwise fine but seized due to water in fuel. We now have photos and a fuel/water sample which were just forwarded to the Attorney General for the State of RI. My truck was fine until I fueled at [redacted] that day. The engine will be overhauled at considerable cost which we know is the responsibilty of [redacted]/ [redacted] and Drake Petroleum.Final Business Response AS of XX-XX-XX we've not received any estimates of damage to Mr. [redacted] truck. We've made contact with him on XX-XX-XX and he'll forward this to us. Once we receive this we'll review and make contact with Mr. [redacted]. Final Consumer Response Our Insurance Company sent engine expert to inspect truck and found claim to be justified. Truck fixed and paid for by insurance due to water in engine.Fuel was purchased from [redacted] Xtra-[redacted] and Drake Petroleum who has not responded to this complaint any further, other than initial denial. Total damages estimated by insurance company $7500.00 and paid less our deductible. Thank Goodness for insurance especially before the holiday season. Merry Christmas!