Tesoro Replaces Bad Gas in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Tesoro Petroleum planned to have all the bad fuel that was delivered to gas station owners in Bismarck and Mandan, N.D. last week pumped out and replaced by the end of yesterday, according to a Bismarck Tribune report.

The problem came to light late last week when drivers began to report car troubles ranging from sputtering engines to complete lack of power after filling up their tanks. Officials from Tesoro's Mandan refinery announced an investigation that later found the problem was caused by improperly blended gasoline.

Tesoro reported that the bad gasoline was not made according to specification, but the company did not provide further details about the problem or name all the retailers affected, according to the report. The Tribune also noted that diesel fuel and premium-grade gasoline without ethanol were not affected.

"The company is paying for the cost of draining and replacing the fuel," FTI Consulting's Brian Kennedy said in a statement yesterday. "The best way for consumers to find out whether their vehicles could have been impacted is by contacting their service station or by calling our customer hotline at (877) 876-5383."