A Houston motorist says he spent $52 at the pump before realizing something was seriously wrong with the fuel. What came out wasn’t gas, and it could cause major damage.
In a TikTok video viewed more than 1.4 million times, creator Kam Jackson (@kamiibltzjackson) shows us what happened recently when he filled up his Volkswagen at a 76 gas station (part of Phillips 66) in south central Houston. The view of the filled tank shows a milky white liquid inside, rather than the clearer composition of virtually every blend of gasoline. And rather than giving off the distinctive smell of fuel, Jackson notes the white stuff “doesn’t even smell like gas.”
While the liquid caught on video looks more like watered-down milk than anything you’d expect to find at a gas pump, research suggests it’s likely a case of contaminated fuel, which can spell serious trouble for modern engines.
The most common explanation for milky, cloudy fuel is water contamination, which can happen when rainwater or condensation enters a station’s underground storage tanks. Once mixed with gasoline, especially ethanol blends, the water forms a hazy or white appearance that’s easily mistaken for something more benign. In large enough quantities, this mix can reach the pump and flow directly into a customer’s tank. According to Bell Performance, contaminated gas can lead to rough idling, misfires, and sensor errors. A CBS News report on similar incidents confirms the risk of engine stalls and long-term fuel system damage.
Water isn’t the only possibility. Another explanation is a DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) mix-up, either during delivery or at the pump itself. DEF is made of deionized water and urea. It’s usually clear or cloudy, odorless, and completely non-combustible. It’s not a fuel, and even a small amount introduced into a gasoline tank can corrode fuel pumps and injectors. If the engine is started, the result may be catastrophic. Diesel World warns that DEF contamination can lead to total fuel system failure, and in at least one real-world case shared on Reddit, a driver faced thousands in repair bills after unknowingly pumping DEF into their vehicle.
A third possibility is diesel fuel contamination, usually due to a delivery or equipment error that sends diesel through the wrong dispenser. Diesel has a thicker, oilier texture than gasoline and can appear slightly cloudy or discolored. It’s also completely incompatible with gasoline engines.
Lastly, drivers should know about ethanol phase separation, a lesser-known issue that can cause similar white or cloudy fuel. Gasoline blended with ethanol can absorb moisture from the air. When saturation levels get too high, the ethanol separates and forms a dense layer of ethanol and water at the bottom of the tank. If that layer is pulled into the pump, drivers may end up with a liquid that looks nothing like gasoline and performs even worse. This is especially common in humid climates or at stations with poorly maintained tanks, as outlined by Bell Performance and Parent Petroleum, which advise regular monitoring and maintenance to prevent such incidents.
Contaminated fuel can lead to serious and costly damage, particularly in today’s tightly engineered fuel systems. Whether it’s water, DEF, or another foreign substance, the consequences of a bad fill-up can include corroded fuel pumps, injector failure, engine misfires, and even damage to catalytic converters and oxygen sensors. According to RepairPal, a basic fuel system flush might cost $200 to $400, but if contamination reaches key components, repairs can easily escalate to $2,500 or more. And if DEF is involved, which is highly corrosive and not combustible, the damage can be catastrophic. Diesel World notes that DEF in a gas tank often requires a full fuel system replacement.
In a commentary posted on the clip, Jackson notes that station personnel were uncooperative and dismissive of his concerns about the suspect fuel. Not surprisingly, the car stalled shortly after leaving the station. “Not only am I unable to get to work due to my stalled car, but I also now face repair costs,” he wrote.
Comments on the video have been turned off and removed, but a Google index page of his content shows it once had more than 2,700 responses. In another recent video unrelated to the service station frustration, commenters were asking for an update on the situation, with Jackson offering little response other than some appreciation for the interest.
Motor1 reached out to Jackson via a comment on the follow-up clip and attempted unsuccessfully to reach the station via a phone number that had been disabled. Via email, parent company Phillips 66 wrote in part, “All our stations are independently owned and operated. For more assistance, you will need to contact the station you are inquiring about.”
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