BP says dozens of local stations sold tainted gasoline

BP says the size of its gasoline recall is now more than twice as large than previously reported, with 4.7 million gallons distributed over the past week to about 200 gas stations as far as southwestern Ohio and southern Indiana.

BP spokesman Scott Dean said Wednesday the gasoline was distributed from terminals in Whiting, Indianapolis, suburban Chicago and suburban Milwaukee. One tanker went to a station in Camden, Ohio, about 15 miles southeast of Richmond.

At least 27 Indianapolis stations and a more than a dozen others in surrounding communities received and sold the tainted gasoline, which contained a higher than normal level of polymeric residue. The residue can leave deposits on the fuel injectors and the spark plugs, causing hard starting, rough idling, stalling and other drivability issues.

Dean said BP has begun processing nearly 10,000 claims from customers whose vehicles were affected, mostly in Indiana and Illinois. Repairs bills can exceed more than a thousand dollars per vehicle.

An interactive tool at http://bpresponse.com shows the tainted gasoline also reached stations as far south as Bloomington and Columbus. Dean previously had said the gas was distributed only in northwestern Indiana and the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.