classic car forum header
Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 
Register     Posting Photographs     Privacy     F/book OCC Facebook     OCC on Patreon

Petrol theft by syphoning.
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Restoration Advice
Author Message
Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:54 pm    Post subject: Petrol theft by syphoning. Reply with quote

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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
imfinlay



Joined: 26 Aug 2008
Posts: 48

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about a locking petrol cap? Easily swapped out for shows.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1750
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Crying or Very sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
victor 101



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 446
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

it might be an inconvenience at times, but only put in what you need. That way the scum only get a gallon or so.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Phil - Nottingham



Joined: 01 Jan 2008
Posts: 1252
Location: Nottingham

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
baconsdozen



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Under the car.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1750
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink


Depends how far it's inserted...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
StoneRoad



Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 74
Location: Haltwhistle.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

and exactly whereabouts it has been inserted/applied!

Twisted Evil Twisted Evil

we have a similiar problem in this area - add in the toerags who remove any metal work........

is there a cure?
Twisted Evil
_________________
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?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4748
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
StoneRoad wrote:
and exactly whereabouts it has been inserted/applied!

Twisted Evil Twisted Evil

we have a similiar problem in this area - add in the toerags who remove any metal work........

is there a cure?
Twisted Evil


An injection of lead, half an ounce at high velocity should do it. Twisted Evil Twisted Evil
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dazarooney



Joined: 04 May 2011
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Wed May 04, 2011 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
62rebel



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 343
Location: Charleston, South Carolina

PostPosted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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..
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Restoration Advice All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
OCC Merch link
Forum T&C


php BB powered © php BB Grp.