Zona Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I had about a half a tank of gas siphoned off while I was at work today. I have never had this happen before, but I will try to prevent this from happening again. The work lot is not under surveillance, and several of my co-workers take breaks and lunches in the lot, in their cars. So it was either one of them, or someone who happened on to our lot and i was the unlucky one. I know its not a big deal, maybe 25-30 bucks, but maybe a locking cap would have prevented this from happening. Oh, I went to lunch and checked my tank to see when i may need to re-fill, so I know it was at half, and on the way home it was empty... I don't see any leaks, or smell fuel in my garage after filling, so I assume it was stolen.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Most cars have a anti-siphon device in the filler neck. Sort of surprised that would happen. I went to Riverfest this past weekend. Get back to my car and the filler door was open and the cap hanging by its tether. I only had a 1/4 tank to begin with any way. Worried more that maybe frustrated without getting gas someone would pour something in the tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Most cars have a anti-siphon device in the filler neck. Sort of surprised that would happen. Is that true ? I was going to get a locking cap for my vehicle as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zona Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Most cars have a anti-siphon device in the filler neck. Sort of surprised that would happen. I went to Riverfest this past weekend. Get back to my car and the filler door was open and the cap hanging by its tether. I only had a 1/4 tank to begin with any way. Worried more that maybe frustrated without getting gas someone would pour something in the tank all I know is i had half a tank at lunch, and on my way home it was on empty. Half a tank should last me three days of normal commuting. I am putting a locking cap on anyways... I am not saying your wrong, I am just confused as to what else could have happened... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I had about a half a tank of gas siphoned off while I was at work today. I have never had this happen before, but I will try to prevent this from happening again. The work lot is not under surveillance, and several of my co-workers take breaks and lunches in the lot, in their cars. So it was either one of them, or someone who happened on to our lot and i was the unlucky one. I know its not a big deal, maybe 25-30 bucks, but maybe a locking cap would have prevented this from happening. Oh, I went to lunch and checked my tank to see when i may need to re-fill, so I know it was at half, and on the way home it was empty... I don't see any leaks, or smell fuel in my garage after filling, so I assume it was stolen.... They are generally less that that - 10, 12 bucks. I got one at Meijer's for less that 10. Thieves around here are puncturing gas tanks. SUVs, trucks are targeted because of their ground clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just bought a new car and the door and cap don't lock. I thought that was the strangest thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_franchise Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 On both the vehicles I drive they don't lock the oldest being a 98 explorer. But I'm pretty sure both of them have the "anti-siphon" deal going on. A girl I work with drives a newer Camry and it happened to her, so I guess you should find out for sure if your tank has that or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just bought a new car and the door and cap don't lock. I thought that was the strangest thing. What did you buy and does it have an anti siphon feature ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What did you buy and does it have an anti siphon feature ? A BMW, so I assume it has an anti siphon feature. I didn't know there was such a thing. I'm pretty ignorant about that stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmwolf21 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 They are generally less that that - 10, 12 bucks. I got one at Meijer's for less that 10.Thieves around here are puncturing gas tanks. SUVs, trucks are targeted because of their ground clearance. Yep, I've seen that reported a couple times as well. LINK While gas station drive-offs and siphoning are far more common methods of stealing gas, reports of tank and line puncturing are starting to trickle into police departments and repair shops across the country. Some veteran mechanics and law enforcement officers say it's an unwelcome return of a crime they first saw during the Middle East oil embargo of the early 1970s. Gasoline prices surged just before the long Memorial Day holiday weekend and crept a hair higher overnight Monday to a new record national average $3.937 for a gallon of regular, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Given their height, Fortin said pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles are more vulnerable to the thieves who puncture the tanks and use a container to catch the fuel. Plastic tanks are typically the target, he said, since there is less chance of a catastrophic spark, and they are easier to drill into. A design change may also be contributing to the preference for a drill rather than a syphoning hose. The tanks in many vehicles now have check balls, which prevent spills in a rollover accident. They also make siphoning more difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VOR Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 They are generally less that that - 10, 12 bucks. I got one at Meijer's for less that 10. I think he meant the lost gas was worth about 25-30 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Most cars have a anti-siphon device in the filler neck. Sort of surprised that would happen. I went to Riverfest this past weekend. Get back to my car and the filler door was open and the cap hanging by its tether. I only had a 1/4 tank to begin with any way. Worried more that maybe frustrated without getting gas someone would pour something in the tank That is what I was going to say... It is a "ball" type float... When I changed the filler neck on my 1994 Chrysler, I was suprised to see it. I suppose you can force a tube through, just jam it really hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What I found strange is that my 2006 Chrysler Pacifica doesn't have the little metal flapper that gets push aside when you put the pump nozzle in. I though all vehicles had to have that as a way to keep the vapor from escaping? ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 They are generally less that that - 10, 12 bucks. I got one at Meijer's for less that 10. Thieves around here are puncturing gas tanks. SUVs, trucks are targeted because of their ground clearance. I have a metal "skid plate" around my tank on the Jeep. At least it makes it a little more difficult... Skid Plate Then again, the gas cap it right ther on the side, no door, no lock. I do have a locking cap... But, since ther is no door... It keeps on getting jazzed up and stuck! I suppose I can get one of these: Gas Door Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just bought a new car and the door and cap don't lock. I thought that was the strangest thing. Yes it does. When you lock the car, it locks the door over the gas cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Yes it does. When you lock the car, it locks the door over the gas cap. Wow... That is cool! I take the alarm system is tied into it? That door would seem easy to pry open... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Yes it does. When you lock the car, it locks the door over the gas cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Wow... That is cool! I take the alarm system is tied into it? That door would seem easy to pry open... Yep. It also locks the console between the front seats. You could probably pry the gas door open if you wanted to, but it shuts the entire car down. Take the gas if you can and must, but the car isn't going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Yes it does. When you lock the car, it locks the door over the gas cap. That info wouldn't be in the owners manual, would it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 That info wouldn't be in the owners manual, would it? Only car I've ever had where the manual won't fit in the glove compartment. It barely fits in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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