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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: Petrol theft by syphoning. |
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Twice recently I have had my car "milked".
There used to be an expanding cage type device with a top and bottom collar, wires between the two, so that turning a central screw pulled the collars together and expanded the "cage" to wedge securely in the filler pipe. It rather resembled a cooking whisk, but without the handle.
The problem with my car is that it has an absolutely straight and vertical filler pipe, which makes "milking" so easy. Fortunately, the tank is from a Spitfire and only holds about 8 gallons. Which has probably reduced my losses.
Only yesterday though, I luckily looked at my petrol gauge before I left home and realised that the tank I left about 3/4 full was totally empty.
Has anyone any idea whether these devices are still obtainable? Or can anyone suggest something that will defeat these scumbags?
I have, within my limited capabilities, searched the internet without success except for a few designed for lorry tanks.
Jim. _________________ Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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I made one years back for my Cortina. I took the pipe out and pushed in a stainless hand whisk, with the handle sticking out the bottom. Then drilled two holes, opposite each other in the pipe, pushed a 4" nail through and brazed the nail in place. This stopped the whisk from dropping into the tank if it was pushed on. The handle part went into the tank, and there was enough room for the pump nozzle in the top part of the filler pipe.
It was a quick fix and I never had a problem after that. |
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imfinlay
Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:48 am Post subject: |
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How about a locking petrol cap? Easily swapped out for shows. |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:35 am Post subject: |
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imfinlay wrote: | How about a locking petrol cap? Easily swapped out for shows. |
I thought about that, but it is a flip top cap secured from within the bodywork.
Thanks anyway. _________________ Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Favourite method is to jam a screw driver under the tank then jump on the car so it stabs a hole in it - a locking cap won't stop that. |
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victor 101
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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it might be an inconvenience at times, but only put in what you need. That way the scum only get a gallon or so. |
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Phil - Nottingham
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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Nylon fuel pipes are dead easy to cut with a Stanley knife anyway so locking caps are often a waste of time unless the pipe is copper or steel but there are often very convenient flexis to attack _________________ Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2 |
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baconsdozen
Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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baconsdozen wrote: | My neighbour caught someone syphoning fuel out of his tractor some while back.
Apparently he was able to stop them getting anymore by the application of a lump of 2 x 2. |
2x2 ? A bit light to do a proper job, I would have thought. |
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Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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peterwpg wrote: | baconsdozen wrote: | My neighbour caught someone syphoning fuel out of his tractor some while back.
Apparently he was able to stop them getting anymore by the application of a lump of 2 x 2. |
2x2 ? A bit light to do a proper job, I would have thought. |
Depends how far it's inserted... |
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StoneRoad
Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 74 Location: Haltwhistle.
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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and exactly whereabouts it has been inserted/applied!
we have a similiar problem in this area - add in the toerags who remove any metal work........
is there a cure?
_________________ Saluton. mi estas fervojistino, kaj vi?
visit http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/album
to see what has been done! Perhaps we can do something for you? |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4764 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
StoneRoad wrote: | and exactly whereabouts it has been inserted/applied!
we have a similiar problem in this area - add in the toerags who remove any metal work........
is there a cure?
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An injection of lead, half an ounce at high velocity should do it. _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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dazarooney
Joined: 04 May 2011 Posts: 1
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Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 11:36 am Post subject: |
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I suppose that's the problem with older cars. I haven't had that done to mine but I'm sure someone might do it as mine can also be easily milked. Let us know if you find a solution. _________________ expanded metal
welltec |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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dazarooney wrote: | I suppose that's the problem with older cars. I haven't had that done to mine but I'm sure someone might do it as mine can also be easily milked. Let us know if you find a solution. |
Maybe not a solution, but I hope a deterrent.
I now have a very powerful security floodlight under my carport, controlled by a timer so that it does not blaze away except at night between going to bed and getting up.
It is not possible to get anywhere near the car without setting it off.
The car (and my son's) is visible from a main road with the lamp on.
Jim. _________________ Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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62rebel
Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 343 Location: Charleston, South Carolina
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
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locks only stop the honest, it's been said.....
it's a sad statement of affairs. you have to look at the bright side of this, i think... at least petrol is all they're taking. and your peace of mind.
i had a chap across the street from me relieving my Lincoln of fuel every so often.... one bright Saturday morning i went through the elaborate motions of rigging up a shotgun trap, making sure he saw me (he was basking on his parent's porch like a coondog) while my wife was watching HIM from inside our house.... (BTW; i live in the US, and the trap was non--functional as well as the shotgun not being loaded).... as i finished up the rig, my wife says the chap got up, kicked his chair into the yard and went in his house. successful outcome and trap dismantled that evening....
this was, of course, nearly thirty years ago, when i was in the Navy.. |
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