Stopping fuel theft...

[doug hodder]

I've got a locking cap on the Rambler, but don't leave much fuel in it anyway, however on newer vehicles is there some sort of screen or anti-theft device built into a filler neck other than the flap at the top to meet emissions? Hasn't been an issue yet, but then I live in a state where it's not uncommon to have a catalytic converter cut off a car in a parking lot for the salvage value. A real downside to battery powered hand tools...Doug

[Leon]

Back in the 70's when you used a locking gas cap, they just punched a hole in the tank with a screwdriver. I'd rather have them choke on siphoning gas out than having to replace the tank because I locked the cap.....

[Bigwoods]

Doug,

I was just in the Twin Cities area and on the news they were reporting the new thing is to drill a hole in the tank and pump it out. I guy with a pick up and a pump can drain a car in no time. More stuff to worry about with these high prices.

Think I would rather they pump it out from the filler neck than to replace the tank.

I hate vandals.

[emiller]

My sons Catalytic converter was just stolen from his 4runner. Now days alot of fuel tanks are made of plastic so as Leon said just pokeing a hole will get you quick gas. I do think most cars now have anti siphone devise installed.

[Miriam C.]

Oh well! I was going to get a locking gas cap for the truck. Kinda expensive when you have two tanks. Maybe I'll park it closer to the house. They can raid my bitty car. 11 gallons

[doug hodder]

Golly, it'd be a shame if someone doctored up a 5 gallon can of fuel and left it out, it got stolen and someone lunched an engine because of it huh? Just thinking about poetic justice, I've got about that much stale gas in a boat...I doubt I'd do it, revenge etc...but it's got it's possibilities... Doug

[asianflava]

I was going to get a locking gas cap for my truck but the guys on my truck forum said that there is an anti siphon thingy in the filler neck.

I thought I was OK til I read this.

My old Mazda truck had a cracked gas tank. It took me a long time to replace it because it was $475 for a new tank, I wanted to try to fix it first. Unfortunately, I ended up buying a new tank. When it came to trade in the truck, I swapped tanks with my neighbor because his Ranger developed a crack too. I can't imagine how much a new tank would cost for this new truck.

[doug hodder]

Rocky..what I'm thinking is taking an old 5 gal. lacquer thinner can, dumping all my old spent thinners, acetone, reducers etc....into it...topping it off with some stale fuel, mark the can as "racing fuel" and leaving it in the back of the pickup...I move all my toxic substances, as well as the can and some ne'er do well burns up an engine, probably run like a rocket for a little while. I figure if they're stupid enough to steal it, they're not smart enough to sniff it and check out what's in there. Sorry, like Bigwoods, I have no sympathy for a vandal/ thief/ or whatever label you want to put on them. ...Doug

[apratt]

Back in the early 70's my brother had troble with someone stealing his gas out of his car. He had a hunch who it was but couldn't prove it. So he put an extra gas tank in the trunk of his car and plumb it to the motor, while with the orignal tank he disconected from the motor and then put sugar in that tank. Well within the week the fella he suppected his car was broke down on the side of the road. My brother stoped and asked what is wrong the guy said he couldn't understand why the motor quit, then my brother told him well you sold my gas and it has sugar in it. Didn't lose no more gas after that.

[asianflava]

I have no sympathy for a vandal/ thief/ or whatever label you want to put on them.

I call them Punk-A$$ kids.

[Lynn Coleman]

Hi all,

I'm ashamed to admit it but a month ago I put diesel fuel in my gas tank by mistake. I had pumped 2.5 gallons before I realized what I was doing. Thankfully, I was nearly empty at the time.

The truck is a 2002 Dodge Ram and does have anti siphone devise installed. Not just up close where you pump it in but lower down near the tank itself.

Siphoning the fuel out of the tank took some work, disconnecting the hose and pumping with a 12v fuel pump got just about all of it out of the tank.

If I were a thief putting a hole in the tank would be the way to go, imho. Hopefully this won't be a huge problem but as the price of gas goes up, I can see this happening more and more.

The only solution, keep your vehicles in well lit areas and pray real hard.

Anyone know how to repair a plastic gas tank? (for future knowledge that we hope we never need to use.

Lynn

[Nitetimes]

Anyone know how to repair a plastic gas tank? (for future knowledge that we hope we never need to use.

Lynn

Only way I know to repair a plastic tank ( and it's not easy to do) is drop the tank and put a steel valve stem in it, I've done it with plastic gas cans and one tank. It works but it can be tricky to get in and it usually requires drilling a bigger hole than you've already got. Downside is it makes a drain for thieves and if they don't use it your tank could get to looking like a porcupine!

[looped]

Golly, it'd be a shame if someone doctored up a 5 gallon can of fuel and left it out, it got stolen and someone lunched an engine because of it huh? Just thinking about poetic justice, I've got about that much stale gas in a boat...I doubt I'd do it, revenge etc...but it's got it's possibilities... Doug

simple pour some hydrogen peroxide in with the fuel,.,, they wont smell the difference

[dreadcptflint]

Gads, I have never heard of punching a tank before. My wife insisted we get locking gas caps a few weeks ago because of the increased syphoning reported in our area. I will keep my fingers crossed.

[apratt]

Anyone know how to repair a plastic gas tank? (for future knowledge that we hope we never need to use.

Lynn

Only way I know to repair a plastic tank ( and it's not easy to do) is drop the tank and put a steel valve stem in it, I've done it with plastic gas cans and one tank. It works but it can be tricky to get in and it usually requires drilling a bigger hole than you've already got. Downside is it makes a drain for thieves and if they don't use it your tank could get to looking like a porcupine!

It is very easy to repair plastic tanks. Go to you automotive repair supplier they will have it. I think it is put out by 3M, it is a repair kit for plastic tank. It is like putting fiberglass cloth on, only you don't use expoxy resin. Just make sure the tank surface is clean and dry. Done a few of them.