GAS THEIF! Beware, its a shame really....

[WillP]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I really hope this whole gas thing gets sorted out soon. Going to do my best today to fix my truck, wish me luck!

I hate to even ask this, but....
How do you know if you have a plastic gas tank?

Like the post earlier, most cars newer that 90 have a plastic tank. You can always crawl under and use a magnet! Tap on it with something metal (wrench), you'll be able to tell.

 

[LilGMom]

That just plain stinks!! Sorry that they went Bates on your car and hopefully it can be fixed.

 

[DVCsince02]

Great.... one more thing to worry about.

Sorry Will, good luck.

 

[MenashaCorp]

Someone just messed with the wrong future son-in-law.... IfyouknowhatImean.

Good luck with the repair, Will.

 

[mommyceratops]

Ahh! Will I am so sorry!! What a pain in the -- you know where! I am so sorry you have to mess with this.

Thanks for the heads up also --

If you find out who they are we will put them in a cistern -- not yours but Mindy will dig one just to punish them!

 

[crazydisneyman]

Sorry to hear about this Will. I hope you get things squared away.

I am sure that Will knows this info (being from the racing capital of thw rold Indianapolis) so this is for those of us out there who don't know.

Here is some info that my wife told me about gas tanks:

Newer models have the plastic tank, but the fill tube (where you put the nozzle to fill your tank) is ribbed so you cannot siphon any gas out of the tank. This is probably why they are puncturing the tank.

You could buy a locking cap but it might not help you. This may not be on all models but I think it is on most newer models. Check with your dealer.

I would also recommend trying to keep your car inside somewhere. I realize that not everyone can do this, but it's the best advice I can give.

A very sensitive alarm might also work.

I wish you the best.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

That's really lousy Will. Sorry to hear that happened to you. What a pain.

 

[cxcelica]

Having someone syphon your gas is bad enough, but to having to deal with probably replacing the tank too is just real crummy.

Sorry this happened to you!

 

[Minnie Lor]

I remember this from the 70's. I didn't know that it's more difficult to siphon gas now. I worried about this when my car was sitting at our local airport (no attendant) I made sure that we had very little gas in there.

This is sad state of affairs. So sorry Will and thanks for letting us know.

 

[TXYankee]

Im so sorry Will, Stuff like that just makes me Rabid Dog Crazy!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Some people are just so stinkin' selfish! Sorry this happened to you Will.

We keep a small travel trailer in a storage lot most of the year but put it in our garage during the summer months when we are camping and just brought it home last weekend...the down side is that our truck has to stay parked in the driveway (our homeowners assoc doesn't allow RVs unless they are behind a fence or garaged).

I've been a nervous wreck about someone stealing the catalytic converter and had already worried about someone syphoning gas out of it, but I never even thought about them puncturing the tank to do so! We had already decided not to keep the tank full while it was parked outside -- so at least I know some creep won't get much for his effort if something like what happened to Will happens to us.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Damn, Will, I'm sorry this happened to you. There are many nasty people in the world. I'm just glad there are many, many more good ones, and hope from now on you just run into the good sort.

 

[jen3003]

Will, sorry that happened to you. We are in Chicago and my husband just had a friend tell him about this a few weeks ago. Seems like they will try anything. I've also heard about them stealing license plates and covering the numbers on the plates with black electrical tape. What people won't do nowadays. It's sad that it has come to this.
Good luck in getting it fixed.

Jen

 

[lorax123]

wow. I was just thinking this afternoon, how you haven't heard of a rash of people stealing gas. YET. 99% of gas stations have gone to a pay before you pump policy in this area, because of drive-offs. But, I thought the blatant gas stealing wouldn't come about.

I started this train of thought when I saw someones gas door open and wondered if maybe someone siphoned there gas or did the guy just forget? Then I went off on how I haven't heard about massive shortages of locking gas caps.

Well, no need to waste money on a locking gas cap. Just a bullet proof vest for the gas tank.

I think on SUVs, high ground clearance, and cars with tanks still mounted in the rear are going to be the vehicles hit with this crime. Those are just easy picking. Cars with low ground clearance and mid-mounted tanks will be too hard to hit.

 

[Karlzmom]

..this is why I have permanent job security
Probably some tweeker who thought it up while taking apart the washing machine at 2am....I am sorry that it happened to you. I'm also frustrated that even if the jerk got caught & put thru the trial system [likely with a public defender on the tax payer's nickel] he'd be out in no time because "its only property crime."

 

[Mozart]

This happened to a friend of mine here in SC a few nights ago. He heard something outside and when he went to look a guy came running out from underneath his car. The good news...the guy didn't get any gas. And my friend got a free drill. The bad news...the other guy had already had time to use the drill and my friend found gas leaking all over his driveway.

The topper...he lives in a high priced condo, which is well lit. It's gated, and has security working 24 hours.

They can get you just about anywhere. If you have a garage and are using it for storage like my friend does...now might be a good time for a trip to the Salvation Army.

 

[prettypixie]

So sad. I read about this happening at the resorts too! I hope all went well with your repairs Will

 

[drakethib]

This sucks but I am hearing of more and more instances like this.

 

[Constant]

This reminds me of when I was a student in the UK where gas has always been expensive (about $10 a gallon if my math is correct?). I had a Ford Cortina and the fuel line under the car had been cut and the tank drained, I managed to drive 2 minutes down the road and was at a set of lights when the fuel in the line and carburetor ran out leaving me stranded and at the time no clue as to what happened! I've had wheels stolen, car antenna etc.

I also worked in a gas station on the night shift (amazing the people you meet at 2am) and we had a large number of 'drive offs' often even though I got the number plates the police would report that they made it to a house it was registered to find the owner fast asleep but a different color or make car in the drive.

It amazes me that the UK still doesn't have pre-pay

I feel for you Will, it's where you hope their karma will come back and bite them!

 

[cxcelica]

I've been a nervous wreck about someone stealing the catalytic converter and had already worried about someone syphoning gas out of it, but I never even thought about them puncturing the tank to do so! .

Calypso thats a good point about the catalytic converter. Those are also very popular to steal and not cheap to replace!!!

Its sad that we actually have to worry about people stealing the catalytic converter(s) off of our vehicles!!