[funkyspider]

Just been chatting to a mate at work. He went out to find a pool of diesel under his wife's car in the drive at the weekend, no trail of diesel leading into the drive and not enough in the pool under the car match the amount that was gone from the tank.

Contacted Peugeot who said that's really strange as these are plastic tanks and they very rarely need to replaced one, but they've had 2 punctured tanks on the same model, from the same area reported on that day. He then contacted the police who said it's getting a more popular theft now, particularly in diesel which is less likely to pose a fire hazard when stealing it. As most modern tanks are anti-syphon or certainly tricky to get a large quantity out by syphoning they puncture the tank or rip the fuel supply pipe off and nick the fuel that way. The engineer is looking at the tank today to establish if this is what's been done, but the fact the police are aware of it happening means its certainly a possibility.

It surprised me. I'd hardly have thought it was worth the gain for the risk involved on a residential driveway. I can imagine it'd be worth it on a lorry park or yard where you'd get large quantities of diesel with less chance of being spotted - in fact I've heard of it happening at a local hauliers, but cars on drives seems daft.

[alexs2]

For those of us old enough to remember,syphoning fuel from tanks was a common theft back in the late 70s when the first oil price crisis hit.

We used to see people from time to time who'd managed to either inhale or swallow diesel or petrol....something you tend not to do twice.

It's amazing the lengths folk will go to...

[Naaktgeboren]

I have given advice to company's surrounding diesel theft, like the OP mentioned, Diesel is safer to steal. To cut the chance of falling victim, it's a good idea to remove any diesel badge from your vehicle. A thief will always go for the easiest option.

[Wild Weasel]

I thought vehicles had a filter in the filler tube that's meant to stop a syphon pipe going down it.

[guitarcarfanati]

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel

I thought vehicles had a filter in the filler tube that's meant to stop a syphon pipe going down it.

Yeh but the method mentioned here is drilling a hole into the plastic tank to allow the fuel to drain.

[funkyspider]

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel

I thought vehicles had a filter in the filler tube that's meant to stop a syphon pipe going down it.

I think reading the post may help here

[Wild Weasel]

Originally Posted by funkyspider

I think reading the post may help here

I did read it, I was talking generally.

Seems we'll soon have to booby trap our cars like Mad Max.

[loz]

Well at least they won't be able to steal the electricity from your electric car in future.

(oh, yes they will....)

[mjn]

Originally Posted by loz

Well at least they won't be able to steal the electricity from your electric car in future.

Who cares, who would be able to afford to charge up an electric car!!

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by loz

Well at least they won't be able to steal the electricity from your electric car in future.

(oh, yes they will....)

Where there's a will......

If the price is right there will be someone who steals it.

[funkyspider]

Just to let you know the police confirmed the fuel was stolen. There were several cars done in the same area.

The following night the police came across a van parked up with 2 blokes outside it. Stopped to have a chat and they legged it and were lost. The van was full of tanks which were full of - yep, diesel.

Peugeot quote: £500 - £700 to replace the damaged tank. around 50quid of diesel stolen per car and the back of the van was literally full of diesel they said, say 10 cars or so. Wouldn't you just like to drown them in the bloody diesel they've stolen.

[oakie]

I was out with the dogs about 5am this morning - i walked past one of those Mitsubishi pick-ups, glanced in the back load area must have been at least 10 jerry cans in there - makes ya wonder after reading this thread.