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We have a gas thief
SCOUT5
Member Posts: 16,182 ✭✭✭✭
Hadn't dealt with stuff like this for quite awhile.
A few days ago I moved my truck and noticed the gas gauge read empty, below the empty mark actually. The thought of someone stealing the gas crossed my mind, I thought I had fuel in it. But I had let my 13 year old son drive it around on the property and thought maybe he had ran it dry and maybe it hadn't had as much fuel in it as I thought. I haven't been driving much lately and probably haven't had it on the road in a couple of months, so we could have just ran it out.
I got home about 4 this afternoon and noticed the fuel door was open. When I walked up I seen the gas cap was hanging out. Okay, I have a gas thief. I know the fuel feed has an anti-theft barrier, so they must have used an awful small line to get to it. I'm not for sure when they did it, I didn't notice it this morning when I left, but I may have just not noticed and it was after dark last night when I got home.
I've called the neighbors that live right around me to let them know to be on the look out. I asked if they knew of any one that had moved in close to us with teenage or or young adult kids (the usual age for gas thieves). Told them we needed to let folks know that we know so maybe it would stop before they get around to stealing other things.
I could mount a motion camera in a lock box. Or maybe put something nasty and smelly on the cap. What about a spring loaded notice hid behind the fuel door?
A few days ago I moved my truck and noticed the gas gauge read empty, below the empty mark actually. The thought of someone stealing the gas crossed my mind, I thought I had fuel in it. But I had let my 13 year old son drive it around on the property and thought maybe he had ran it dry and maybe it hadn't had as much fuel in it as I thought. I haven't been driving much lately and probably haven't had it on the road in a couple of months, so we could have just ran it out.
I got home about 4 this afternoon and noticed the fuel door was open. When I walked up I seen the gas cap was hanging out. Okay, I have a gas thief. I know the fuel feed has an anti-theft barrier, so they must have used an awful small line to get to it. I'm not for sure when they did it, I didn't notice it this morning when I left, but I may have just not noticed and it was after dark last night when I got home.
I've called the neighbors that live right around me to let them know to be on the look out. I asked if they knew of any one that had moved in close to us with teenage or or young adult kids (the usual age for gas thieves). Told them we needed to let folks know that we know so maybe it would stop before they get around to stealing other things.
I could mount a motion camera in a lock box. Or maybe put something nasty and smelly on the cap. What about a spring loaded notice hid behind the fuel door?
Comments
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
The fuel loss stopped.
I finally filled it in....with just dirt.
And my missing tow chains came home.
Nothing says "don't do that" quite like a shot gun being racked.
Locking gas cap on the front standard cap on the rear with the fuel water sugar mix.
Fuel theft stopped in the neighbor hood.
Buy a cheap trail camera an set it in a spot where the thieves will get caught on candid camera.
local bowling ally's ( there was two in town ) or the skate ring was there choice shopping area lots of cars , and the people were normally busy and not likely to come out soon . that was 45+ years ago .
My gas thief must know something I don't.
After another theft, add a dozen or so 6 penny nails. pointy/ouchy end up! :x :x
A drop or 3 of fox urine on the cap is also never a bad thought......
Good luck!
Had the same situation once. Knew it was punk in the next apartment, but couldn't catch him at it.
Scrounged up an old jerry can, patched the leaks, and filled it with gas and two pounds of sugar. Secured it in the back of the pickup with 1/4" chain and a cheap padlock. Didn't take long , and about three days after that he's askin' me if I knew how to clean sugar outa' his fuel system. He just Knew someone had put sugar in his tank.
The look on his face was priceless when I told him "You must think I'm stupid".
Good to know. (Mental notes made.)
How much clorox?
Clorox might be less expensive than gas.
Just add a little gasoline into your Clorox.
You know, just enough to give it that "gas" smell.