Stopping a petrol thief?

milgo

milgo

milgo

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Joined
21 Aug 2003
Posts
651
Location
Essex
Started up me polo today after an early shift at work. Car smelt slightly of petrol which it has been doing recently but i couldn't find any problems. Anyway got about 300 metres down the road to some traffic lights and the car just conks out with the fuel gauge on empty.
Usually i can get away with an hours driving on empty so i thought thats weird. But it wasn't starting up again so i had to push it across the duel carriageway to the petrol station (fun).
Put in some fuel and started it up again. Thought i'd have a peak underneath which was lucky as there was fuel pouring out of the fuel line.

Had a bit of a panic and switched it off obviously. Anyway called the RAC out and they arrived on time as usual. I was expecting the bloke to say i need a new fuel line as the old one is falling appart. Much to my supprise he goes "yep someone has cut it". So turns out someone cut off the clip, drained the fuel and then pushed it back in again. Seems like they may have been doing this for some time now but this time the pump pushed the hose out. I didn't think people did this sort of thing, but i guess working in dagenham i should have expected it.

So i need to sort out some sort of shielding so they can't get their grubby hands on it again! Anyone know of any replacement shielded hose or shielding that i can rivet on? I can make up some sheets at work but it would be easier if there was something pre-made.

This ever happened to anyone else?
 
I doubt there would be anything pre-made tbh...

All this time i was thinking "get a locking petrol cap" and then i actually read what you wrote :rolleyes:
 
leave a sign in your window saying petrol thieves will be shot

itl let them know you know what theyre upto and hopefully they will move on :/
 
Fit a device which creates a spark to the petrol cap unless disabled before the cap is opened.

That ought to learn 'em.
 
Lol i was thinking about something like that. Might have a nice vynal thing made up to go on the little guard i make saying something when they pop their head under. Its such an annoying thing because if they keep doing it, it not only looses me money but also means im stranded. If i was on a late shift and it happened i wouldnt get home till 1am or something probably.

I work for fords. You would have thought their security would be better wouldn't you.

Nozzer it isnt the cap. They are getting under the car and pulling off the fuel line. I have a 91 g40. Old VW's have their fuel lines all exposed just under the sill.
 
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Just need a sticker like mine :

pict0139.jpg


Makes people err on the side of caution around the car :p
 
milgo said:
Nozzer it isnt the cap. They are getting under the car and pulling off the fuel line. I have a 91 g40. Old VW's have their fuel lines all exposed just under the sill.
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Most cars without undershields have exposed fuel lines underneath.
 
milgo said:
Lol i was thinking about something like that. Might have a nice vynal thing made up to go on the little guard i make saying something when they pop their head under. Its such an annoying thing because if they keep doing it, it not only looses me money but also means im stranded. If i was on a late shift and it happened i wouldnt get home till 1am or something probably.
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fill up a spare jerry can :) it's not going to stop them stealing, but it'll stop you being stranded

does your petrol needle show the petrol level with the ignition off? It might be worth just running on low petrol for a week or 2 ( with a spare can or 2 for emergency) incase they do come back... atleast they won't take much petrol!
 
Can you get a braided fuel hose?, then maybe just manipulate a piece of 2-3mm sheet metal into shape, cut and rivet. Should do the job. Other than that you could always coat the fuel line in poison ivy oil, not too dangerous and not illegal, wouldn't cause longterm damage, readily available, and would definitely cause discomfort and have them thinking twice next time.
 
I was going to suggest rigging up a device to electricute them when they touch the fuel rail.

On 2nd thought, the spark may light the fuel tank and instead of your fuel getting stolen, your car will blow, so maybe give that one a miss. :rolleyes:
 
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Get your car raised slightly and on remote control.
So you can sit and wait till he goes underneath, and lower it a few inches :D
 
bolger said:
I was going to suggest rigging up a device to electricute them when they touch the fuel rail.

On 2nd thought, the spark may light the fuel tank and instead of your fuel getting stolen, your car will blow, so maybe give that one a miss. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

it'd be worth it just to blow up a fuel thief :D
 
Yeah thats true dogbreath but they are usually routed down the middle of the car with the join being hidden. On my car it is literally right by the jacking point with the clips visible.

My needle doesn't show anything without the ignition, i might have to use the jerry can method.

Lol benneh i might forget and then give it to a mechanic or something. Will make a shield for the connectors and see if it does the trick.

Bolger i thought about that earlier and then dismissed it for that reason :D

Getting remote control aiur ride is probably a little on the pricey side. Although it would be satisfying :)
 
Print up a proffessional looking sign that says your car runs on hydrogen extracted from water!! They won't want to siphon water now, will they?!?!? :D
 
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