i was pumping my gas today and just as it began to seem more expensive then normal, it spilled over and kept going. i had gas all over me, my car and the ground. a large puddle. my car still reeks of gas. was this a pump issue or a car issue? was it safe to get in and start my car, which i did?
2006-09-22 14:07:38 · 14 answers · asked by Susan 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
well it is a pump issue. no biggie, but you should have reported it so the next pumper didnt have to get gas all over their car too. and the way i know you didnt report it is, no attendant would have let you start your car with a gas spill under it. extremely dangerous!!! glad you are ok!
next time, attempt to stop the pump.... release the nozzle, or hit the emergency stop. if you cant do either one safely..... run!!! lol. seriously. burns are not pretty..... take it from someone who knows personally! add::: please dont listen to those people above me!
2006-09-22 14:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by lc_firefighter 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The overflow detection valve on the pump handle was defective. I wouldn't have started the car over a puddle of gas. I would have notified the management and i would have put my car in neutral and pushed it away from the spill before starting it.
If you put the key in the on position with your foot on the brake the cars shifter will be able to move without the car started. And a helping hand from someone would have helped because you might not have been able to get the car moving and be able to jump in and hit the brake.
2006-09-27 15:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by whtsthislif4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If people cannot dispense their own gasoline safely . . .
than the stations must train people to do it for them.
The primary concern here is SAFETY . . .
The real question here might be . . .
'Should I light up a cigarette . . .
next time I go to the gas station?'
Of course not . . .
people are not allowed to smoke in gas stations . . .
and your experience tells us why . . .
this is so dangerous.
Change your clothes ASAP.
You should have the attendant . . .
come out and clean up the mess . . .
before you start the car or leave the station . . .
this is part of their job.
If there is a serious problem . . .
(attendant is uncooperative or the pump will not shutoff at all . . .)
call the fire department immediately.
They are trained to handle hazardous waste issues . . .
and that includes ALL flammable substances.
2006-09-27 12:40:43 · answer #3 · answered by morehugh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was definitely a pump issue, not a car issue. And getting in and starting it was probably the worst possible thing that you could have done! Had the fumes ignited, you and your car would have been incinerated, as would anyone else in the immediate vicinity.
You should have called 911 and reported the spill. Any spill the spreads more than 3 feet REQUIRES a Hazmat Team response, both for safety and environmental issues.
2006-09-22 22:20:07 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Several things can cause this malfunction at the pump 10 gallons a minute is the standard. Might be a older car with out proper fuel hose maintence. Or you were holding the pump handle because you were in a hurry. There are many ways to spark a fuel fire..
Please set the pump handle and get away from the car! Walk into the store so if your car catches on fire you are not there with galoline all over you. After the pump clicks off just take the handle out. You do not have to squeeze in that extra half gallon and splash your self.
2006-09-22 21:19:23 · answer #5 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
John paul has no clue!! I work for the Marathon fuel company... Most nozzles can only pump 8gal/min... and that's pushing it. The pump was more at fault than you... but the person before you was more at fault than the pump. Stations are required to use the "Stage 2 vapor recovery system" this system sucks the vapor from your tank while dispensing fuel into your tank. When fuel gets sucked up into the nozzle, the nozzle clicks off (this is how it knows when to stop) If a person "tops off".. it puts up to a half gallon into the system and therefore malfunctions it. This causes the pump to not know when to shut off. *It (the nozzle) has to be drained to correct the situation*
2006-09-23 02:41:37 · answer #6 · answered by Jorge W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to work in a gas/convience store and Ive seen this happen many times, sometimes the handles can be junk, or malfunction, and sometimes its operator error. The attendant should of called the fire department, so they could determine if you should move your car and they would cover it with speedy dry so it wont spread. Some customers never tell you it happens and some customers come inside and chew on the attendant for it. Its definitely not the attendants fault.
2006-09-26 20:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by linda m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be considered a pump issue ,,but you are supposed to immediately let off of it as soon as it does this,and it will stop running from the nozzle,probably part pump issue and operator issue,,but its no biggie we all have done it once or twice ,and probably will again too,,just be really care full when your around gas its very unstable and can go off at the least little spark,,good luck,hope this help,s.
2006-09-23 01:01:13 · answer #8 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely, the pump. Just be sure to tell someone who works there.
2006-09-22 21:15:16 · answer #9 · answered by the Politics of Pikachu 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no it was not safe to get in your car,and atart it up beacuse it could spark because of the heat your car creates .word to the wise when the pump stops you stop
2006-09-22 21:35:30 · answer #10 · answered by carguy30021 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋