Total loss for wrong fuel
Jul 17, 2019, 4:18 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,331
As it’s a 2014 model I would suspect it would be fitted with a mis fuelling device.
Its physically possible to fill a diesel with petrol as the petrol nozzle is narrower than the inlet but cars have been fitted with Mis fuelling caps for a while now. You could probably check Jetta specs for your country online to see if diesel models from that year come with them as standard.
Also 50% petrol and 50% diesel really isn’t going to cause that sort of failure in a diesel car, siphon the tank empty, fill it with full tank of diesel and it would be fine.The other way round you’d probably have a write off on your hands after a few miles.
Its physically possible to fill a diesel with petrol as the petrol nozzle is narrower than the inlet but cars have been fitted with Mis fuelling caps for a while now. You could probably check Jetta specs for your country online to see if diesel models from that year come with them as standard.
Also 50% petrol and 50% diesel really isn’t going to cause that sort of failure in a diesel car, siphon the tank empty, fill it with full tank of diesel and it would be fine.The other way round you’d probably have a write off on your hands after a few miles.
Jul 17, 2019, 10:17 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
OP - the whole thing sounds very fishy.
1. The VW in question is a vehicle subject to the Dieselgate. Advantage may be able to arrange a buy back from VW.
2. While it is possible that a car rental company brings the car to any repair shop, including a Volvo dealership (it is a repair shop nevertheless), why is there no towing charge? If the car was really damaged by filling up the wrong fuel, the very first thing happened should be the engine failed to start.
3. Total loss only happens when the estimated repair cost exceeds the residual value. But in this case, $6000 repair bill v. total loss?
Something is definitely not right here.
You should probably consult with an attorney as I do believe this can be both insurance, mail and/or wire fraud. You may consider contacting the police or CA AG.
And don't pay anything unless everything has been cleared.
1. The VW in question is a vehicle subject to the Dieselgate. Advantage may be able to arrange a buy back from VW.
2. While it is possible that a car rental company brings the car to any repair shop, including a Volvo dealership (it is a repair shop nevertheless), why is there no towing charge? If the car was really damaged by filling up the wrong fuel, the very first thing happened should be the engine failed to start.
3. Total loss only happens when the estimated repair cost exceeds the residual value. But in this case, $6000 repair bill v. total loss?
Something is definitely not right here.
You should probably consult with an attorney as I do believe this can be both insurance, mail and/or wire fraud. You may consider contacting the police or CA AG.
And don't pay anything unless everything has been cleared.
Jul 18, 2019, 4:18 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,692
I am 100% certain I put diesel in the tank, and unless Viking can retrieve actual proof that the tank was filled with gas, a fuel sample, an incident report detailing the issues encountered that lead them to bring it to Volvo, a diagnosis from Volvo detailing what lead to the supposed breakdown, anything other than "this is what an Advantage employee said" I see very little proof of their claim other then what an employee states and will most certainly take legal action to defend myself.
As you guys stated it is very odd they even brought a Volkswagen to a Volvo dealership for an estimate/repairs in the first place. Even the damage report filled out by the Advantage employee has absolutely nothing filled out except a hand written note saying "16: Customer put gas in diesel tank" and due to the numerous errors in the paperwork including Volvo writing in "customer states he put gas in a diesel engine" and listing some guy named Matt from Advantage as the customer as well as numerous missing pieces of evidence to support their claims I don't think they will have very much of a case.
As you guys stated it is very odd they even brought a Volkswagen to a Volvo dealership for an estimate/repairs in the first place. Even the damage report filled out by the Advantage employee has absolutely nothing filled out except a hand written note saying "16: Customer put gas in diesel tank" and due to the numerous errors in the paperwork including Volvo writing in "customer states he put gas in a diesel engine" and listing some guy named Matt from Advantage as the customer as well as numerous missing pieces of evidence to support their claims I don't think they will have very much of a case.
Jul 18, 2019, 9:16 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 128
I would only contact the company via email. A paper trail is your best friend. I'd see if I could escalate with Arco to provide you with a copy of the receipt. I would also request proof that the car was damaged and repaired and that it was the same car you rented.
I now take pictures of all my receipts and of the car on the day I rent and the day I return the vehicle. I also am pretty obvious when I do so, which might deter them from trying to make a false damage claim.
I now take pictures of all my receipts and of the car on the day I rent and the day I return the vehicle. I also am pretty obvious when I do so, which might deter them from trying to make a false damage claim.
Jul 18, 2019, 1:54 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
The smart move is somewhere inbetween.
Phone calls are 100% the way to go. Until you reach a resolution. Whether it is good or bad, that is something you confirm in writing. Billion dollar negotiations are handled this way and no reason to play amateur lawyer when you aren't one.
Phone calls are 100% the way to go. Until you reach a resolution. Whether it is good or bad, that is something you confirm in writing. Billion dollar negotiations are handled this way and no reason to play amateur lawyer when you aren't one.
lol
You assume they are honest brokers. I don't.
OP, follow this advice at your peril.
Jul 18, 2019, 7:46 pm
#37
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,305
A diesel nozzle is slightly larger than a gasoline nozzle. A diesel nozzle won't fit a gasoline car, but gasoline nozzle will fit a diesel car.
Jul 19, 2019, 12:02 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
You really need that gasoline receipt... and because of the gas station you used, you are going to have A LOT of fun getting it... push until you get it... did you pay it PIN Debit or Credit? If Credit, you probably have to make a retrieval request from the bank because this station doesn't process Credit over Arco's network it only processes PIN Debit over Arco's network. That also means the credit receipt won't show what you bought because it is run through a stand alone terminal not connected to the gas pump and your gas with a Credit card was basically rung through the register like a cash sale... so I hope you used PIN Debit and if so contact their customer service and they should be able to get you the receipt that is through the Arco network (cash register that is connected to gas pump).
