Petrol theft- security advice please.

[Bugjam1999]

Hi all,

So someone syphoned all the petrol out of the 240 last night, whilst it was parked on the drive. Great.

The locking filler cap doesn’t work so all they had to do was open the flap and then unscrew the cap- but I know from experience that the locking caps are very easy to break, when someone stole fuel from the 245 when I had it and all they did to break the lock was jam a screwdriver into it.

So- security options. I’ve ordered a new locking cap, but as above they aren’t much of a deterrent.

I think that an anti syphon insert like this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F180693071831

Could be added- since the filler tube has two bends in it, my thinking is if I can find one of those anti syphon inserts that is a tight fit (or cut one down to be a tight fit), I could push it down inside the tube to the first bend.

Here’s the filler tube if you haven’t seen one

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153627570019

Then another, more in depth option would be to make the filler cap latch shut, like modern cars do.

Another option is to add an alarm with a switch on the filler flap.

And add cctv cameras pointing at the drive.

Suggestions/comments appreciated.

Anyone know the internal diameter of the filler tube?

Has anyone added a locking mechanism to the filler door?

Cheers

[Stephen Edwin]

I am very sorry you have that experience.

I reckon any security measures should not create the possibility or likelihood of the thief causing damage. I do not lock my locking filler cap. The anti syphon device costs as much as a fair amount of fuel and perhaps it can be brutally damaged with a suitable "rod"? A locking flap such as on the Cambridge/Oxford/&c would be fairly easily forced causing damage.

I should quite like to have a concealed new filler pipe and cap to fill the tank with petrol, and divert the original filler to a small tank of diesel. But the outcome might be criminal damage against the fuel thief's vehicle. And I am law abiding.



.

[Bugjam1999]

Thanks,

Yes there’s a balance to be made between an extra level of security and not ending up with loads of damage to the car when they almost inevitably return.

A separate tank to diesel, as amusing as the potential damage to the thief’s vehicle is, would be a lot of work to fit. Also, I expect that the kind of person who steals fuel would return and put a brick through the house front window or torch the car out of spite if they worked out what had happened, so I think that option is out.

Cheers

[Laird Scooby]

Like Stephen says, you have to weigh the probability of permanent damage to your car and the costs of repairing that against the loss of the petrol.

I've often thought of fitting a lock solenoid to the flap on mine, more for my convenience than to guard against petrol theft but haven't yet. Part laziness, part worried that a determined petrol thief would damage the surrounding body work.

Simple fact is, a replacement tank of fuel is still cheaper than even a simple bodywork repair.

"I should quite like to have a concealed new filler pipe and cap to fill the tank with petrol, and divert the original filler to a small tank of diesel. But the outcome might be criminal damage against the fuel thief's vehicle."

It would depend how they're removing the fuel - if they're using the old-fashioned syphon method, they'd get a mouthful of diesel so would know not to put it in their petrol car.
The other thing is, to be able to bring criminal damages charges against you for damaging their car, they'd firstly have to admit to syphoning from your car and secondly prove it was your diesel they mistakenly added to their tank.

There are many reasons why you could legitimately have an additional tank for diesel on your car, one could be a night heater for when you use it to go camping in it in the winter. I'm guessing you probably don't do that but in a 240 estate, perfectly possible - blow-up double mattress, duvet, pillows, plenty of storage space for a camping stove, kettle, frying pan and so on.

With that in mind, if the fuel thieves took the fuel from the wrong tank - it's their fault, not yours!

Another alternative would be a water tank to replenish a Browns Gas generator on the move - no car will run on neat water and it's safe to drink so even less to worry about.

[Clifford Pope]

Like leaving a £5 note on the mantelpiece for the burglar, why not leave a can of petrol by the car?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

Like leaving a £5 note on the mantelpiece for the burglar, why not leave a can of petrol by the car?

Some pyromaniac would come along and turn your car into a mobile BBQ i expect!

[mocambique-amazone]

If you lock the flap or something like this they drill a hole into the fuel cell and they have equipment to pump the fuel to their cell.
Best solution :
Never filled up with more than 10l and a 5l spare canister at the trunk.

I know, nasty and still a solution

Good luck, Kay

[Bashy]

Can you park near a wall or other car? so it restricts access, failing that mocambique-amazone has a good suggestion

[Bugjam1999]

Thanks all,

Unfortunately there aren’t any walls or other cars it could be parked next to/up against regularly.

I’ll keep minimal fuel in it and just fill it ahead of longer trips- which is annoying but free.

Cheers

[Othen]

Originally Posted by mocambique-amazone

If you lock the flap or something like this they drill a hole into the fuel cell and they have equipment to pump the fuel to their cell.
Best solution :
Never filled up with more than 10l and a 5l spare canister at the trunk.

I know, nasty and still a solution

Good luck, Kay

I like this idea. I do the same with the Royal Barge, not to stop theft but because I'm a tightwad and I don't trust the petrol gauge :-)
Alan