DCWP probe clears Brooklyn gas station customers accused of ruining cars with diesel

Customers are accusing a Brooklyn gas station of costing them thousands of dollars in car repairs, but a city investigation has found no wrongdoing.

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2022, 2:37 AM

Updated 737 days ago

Share:

Customers are accusing a Brooklyn gas station of costing them thousands of dollars in car repairs, but a city investigation has found no wrongdoing.
Bryan Hill says he went to get $40 worth of regular gas at Pure Energy on Malcolm X Boulevard for his Nissan Rogue in May.  However, he claims diesel fuel came out of the regular pump and ruined his car.
Hill says he wound up shelling out much more money on repairs when his car wouldn’t start.
"It cost me $551.60 as a result of purchasing gasoline from this gas station,” he says. “We trust them, hoping that they'll be doing what is right by selling that which they purport to sell. But instead, they are selling ineffective and bad products."
News 12 spoke to William Ayers a few months ago when the same incident happened to him at the same station on May 5.
“I got about a mile or two away, and my car started smoking,” he says.
Ayers says he ended up paying over $2,000 in car repair bills as a result. 
The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection told News 12 it has received at least 27 complaints about Pure Energy's gas so far this year.
“We want to make sure what's advertised is what they're getting,” says Armando Sosa, of the DCWP. “If it is discovered that there's an issue with the product on site – we can order it to be removed from sale and correct the issue before reselling that product."
The DCWP says it inspected the Pure Energy station on May 13 and June 3 following multiple complaints.
“We send the entire sealed can to the lab – they test the full sample and then send us results back,” Sosa says. 
However, the city says it found nothing wrong with the samples that were taken. 
Sam Jacoby, the owner of the Pure Energy station, says he has no plans to reimburse customers for damages to their cars. 
“Why am I going to go and reimburse for something I didn't do wrong?" he said. 
The city has general tips to avoid being taken advantage of when you fill up. 
Customers should pay extra close attention to the big sign outside the station. If the price on the pump doesn't match the price on the sign, you could end up paying more for a gallon of gas.  
“Once the transaction is done, you want to check the receipt you get from the machine to verify that it is indeed what you just paid for,” Sosa says. 
Hill says he’s confident he paid for regular at a station that admittedly only offers regular. He says he is contemplating legal action if he's not reimbursed. 
Jacoby says he is ready to deal with any lawsuits in small claims court. 
He adds that he is sticking by the city's test results, which did not find him in violation. He did not give News 12 the name of his supplier.


More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:08
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American