Auto Supply Firm to Pay Fine in Lawsuit

A North Carolina company that sells auto supplies nationwide agreed Friday to pay a $25,000 fine to settle a civil lawsuit filed by the Ventura County district attorney’s office that alleged false and misleading labeling.

Radiator Specialty Co. makes the radiator sealant Gunk, which is sold in local auto supply stores.

Labels on the aerosol cans last year claimed they contained 11 ounces of product. But a random inspection conducted by the Ventura County Department of Weights and Measures showed the cans held only 9.9 ounces of the product, the suit maintained.

When told of the inspection in May, 1994, the company relabeled all the cans, Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Mitchell Disney said.

The firm said a pellet in each can malfunctioned and did not absorb the liquid in the can, accounting for the weight shortage.

Radiator Specialty Co. has fixed the problem, Disney said.