Pumps at 12+ Triangle gas stations were recently flagged for problems. Here’s where
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- State inspectors found problems at more than a dozen Triangle gas stations since March.
- Problems include damaged hoses, meter creep and unreadable displays.
- Tagged pumps were taken out of service until repaired and rechecked by an inspector.
When Triangle drivers fill up their vehicles, they expect that they’re getting the fuel they’re paying for. But that may not always be the case.
Between March and early May, inspectors with the Standards Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found problems with pumps at more than a dozen gas stations across Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties, according to data obtained by The News & Observer.
Along with visiting stores across the state to make sure advertised prices are what customers pay, inspectors are responsible for verifying that gas pumps are functioning properly.
That means displays showing gallons and prices should be readable. Hoses should not be damaged or leaking. When nozzles shut off, they shouldn’t leak. And when fuel stops flowing, the meter should stop climbing.
Inspectors try to check every meter in the state at least once a year, said Chad Parker, measurement manager of the Standards Division. And some problems with Triangle pumps were recently discovered in routine inspections.
Other problems, though, were found while inspectors investigated consumer complaints.
Complaints tend to increase when gas prices go up, Parker said. Most complaints don’t reveal any problems, but some do.
“Everybody thinks that they’re getting robbed just because the price is higher,” Parker said.
The division follows up on every complaint, aiming to send an inspector to check it out within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.
Problems at these Triangle gas station pumps
Inspectors have checked hundreds of pumps at Triangle gas stations since March, with most inspections not revealing any issues.
Some meters were found to have issues such as “abnormal performance,” but inspectors did not “tag” them, which means they are taken out of service.
“‘Tagged’ is something that we deem is harmful to the customer,” Parker said.
The tagged pumps are different from “rejected” pumps. Customers can still use rejected pumps, but the inspectors have found something that needs attention. Maybe a display is hard to read, but still readable. Maybe a hose is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Here are the pumps that were “tagged” by inspectors:
- A meter at pump 6 at Pittsboro Food Mart at 133 Hillsboro St. in Pittsboro was tagged in a follow-up inspection after a complaint because of a damaged hose and maintenance needs.
- Meters at pumps 1 and 8 at the Circle K at 2229 Raleigh Road in Chapel Hill were tagged during a follow-up inspection after a complaint because of maintenance needs and “meter creep,” which is when the gas pump trigger is released, but the meter continues to climb slowly, adding pennies to the total.
- Meters at pumps 1, 11 and 12 at the Circle K at 102-B N.C. Highway 54 West in Carrboro were tagged in a routine inspection because the displays were not readable, devices could not be accessed by inspectors, maintenance was needed and a mid-grade button was missing.
- Meters at pumps 3 and 4 at My Stop at 800 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill were tagged in a routine inspection because displays were not readable, and the pumps needed maintenance.
- A meter at pump 6 at Speedway at 1213 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill was tagged in a routine inspection because of a damaged hose and maintenance needs.
- A meter at pump 3 at AJ’s Food Mart at 6204 Ten-Ten Road in Apex was tagged in a routine inspection for maintenance needs. It also failed its calibration test.
- A meter pump 3 at Buy Quick at 10701 Six Forks Road in Raleigh was tagged for maintenance needs.
Gas stations can’t use a tagged pump until a licensed technician puts it back in service. An inspector revisits the pump after it’s repaired.
The N&O confirmed that the pump at Pittsboro Food Mart is in service but could not immediately reach the other stations.
Out-of-order gas pumps
Inspectors found several pumps already out of order during routine and follow-up inspections after a complaint. Those tagged pumps were at:
- BJ’s Wholesale Clubs at 245 Shenstone Blvd. in Garner and 8811 Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh. The inspector noted that the card reader at the Garner location was broken.
- Buy Quick at 10701 Six Forks Road in Raleigh
- Circle K at 1001 N. Harrison Ave. in Cary
- Circle K at 1720 N. Main St. in Fuquay-Varina
- Circle K at 302 E. Williams St. in Apex
- Han-Dee Hugo’s at 2418 SW Cary Parkway in Cary
- Murphy Express at 732 N. Judd Parkway in Fuquay-Varina
- Sheetz at 1600 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville
The N&O confirmed that pumps at BJ’s, Circle K in Apex, Murphy Express and Sheetz are now working, but could not immediately reach the other stations.
What happens during an inspection?
During the routine inspection, inspectors look at every meter in a pump. Pumps may have multiple meters, depending on how many grades of fuel a pump has.
One of the tests inspectors complete ensures that meters are calibrated accurately, so customers are getting the fuel they’re paying for.
Inspectors pump 5 gallons of fuel into a metal can called a prover, which measures the amount of fuel. If an error is within 6 cubic inches over or under the 5 gallons, the error is tolerated.
If the error is more than 6 cubic inches under 5 gallons, the inspector “tags” the meter, removing it from service, so consumers aren’t harmed by paying for more fuel than they’re dispensing.
If the error is more than 6 cubic inches over 5 gallons, the station is informed and can recalibrate the meter, or leave it as is, which amounts to giving away fuel.
How to submit a complaint
Drivers can submit a complaint about problems with fuel dispensers online at ncagr.gov, or by calling 984-236-4770 or emailing Chad Parker at chad.parker@ncagr.gov.
