Gas thieves

Ron Anderson · Jun 10, 2008

I was gone for a couple of days and come back to find car and pickup both empty. They were both full in driveway. OK what can I mix in a 5 gallon can that will discourage this sort of thing. I hear of sugar but that might settle out. It can't smell, water might work but it will settle also. I plan on leaving the pail in the pickup with endgate down for ease of swiping. Don't really need the pail back. It wouldn't bother me if the thirsty engine deveeloped a fatal disease.

Bob · Jun 10, 2008

Diesel fuel will stop them in their tracks without really hurtung anything. (ASSUMING they are too dumb to know the difference!

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

I knew a guy that said he'd take all the grindings from his chop saw and throw them in the gas tank of a guys vehicle if the guys son was bullying his son. I've heard of iodine but don't know if it would do anything. Just a little water could mess with the fuel injectors. If you make it look too easy they might wise up and not take it. Dave

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

Just use a little sugar --- in a ten gallon can - it just takes a half cup --- and don't worry about it settling out --- once they tip the can up -- it will mix good enough -- and that motor won't go far - it will cost a BIG Dollar to get fixed --- It works real good -- trust me -- by experience......

RAW in IA · Jun 10, 2008

Someone once told me a little bleach inthe gas tank will ruin an engine. Never tried it but was tempted to once to a no good kid in town.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

Sugar will only make a mess if there is water in the tank . Sugar does not dissolve in gas . I have done several Insurance claim repairs for sugar dumped in gas tank . Flush tank and fuel lines with hot water , new filter, clean carb or injectors,,,back on the road .

Mike Henry · Jun 10, 2008

In the past I have used an egg or two in the tank/can of fuel. You have to have the egg fertalized,that little white dot floating around the yolk.It stays hard and will,with the help of the suction in the tank,plug the supply line.That will stall the vehicle then it will fall away and do it again after the restart.The only way to get it out is remove and change out the tank.It worked for me awhile back.

Johnski · Jun 10, 2008

I'd go with diesel so there wouldn't be any question of malice on your part ( Thieves can sue too!) only stupidity on their part. Add just a touch of gas for the right aroma and wait for nature to take it's course. If nothing happens then at least you don't have some nasty mess to get rid of. HTH Jf

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

calcium chloride (tire fluid) 2 gallons in can then 1 gallon gas. gas will float on it smells and looks right. it will eat up fuel lines carbuerators fuel pumps and im sure will do the same for injectors. make sure everyone that has need at your place knows so no mistakes are made. would suggest that the can is destroyed after this use. good luck

Roy Suomi · Jun 10, 2008

Funny , this subject came up now..Some low life, miserable , punk , Person of undetermined lineage made off with 60 gallons of gas over 2 weeks time..My service truck has been sitting in my back yard because of me using my pick-up for simple service calls...The truck gas tank and welder gas tank were full...The fabricator in me made the coolest theft deterant for future visits from said scumbag..Even the locks are tuff to get to..No bolts/screws are visible without the lock taken off and guard flipped up....Watch the s.o.a.b come with a cordless drill next time....

Jeff Oliver · Jun 10, 2008

Many years ago my dad had this same problem. Now he didn't figure out who it was but he sure stopped it. What he did was to park his car real close to the house where someone would have to squeeze in to get to the fill cap.Then he tool a extension cord and tied one wire to the car and the other to a pole on the house that was beside the car. No problems as long as there isn't a connection but when someone one slides in between and touches both of the wires.... He did find a empty can an siphon hose the next morning. No problems after that'

If you don't want to do something that drastic the diesel fuel idea will work good too. Especially when you get woke up late at night by someone whose car just "stalled" right down the road.. hahaha!

colekicker · Jun 10, 2008

Put the 5 gallon can there, LABEL THE CAN GAS. Oops!! you accidentally put diesel in it.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

wire the vehicle to 220 if it has a metal cap if not put one on it he will still be there the next morning and all you have to do is contact the next of kin

tlak · Jun 10, 2008

I would just mix 50/50 gas and water or more water. They'll have problems with a gallon or two of water in their car.

tlak · Jun 10, 2008

I would just mix 50/50 gas and water or more water. They'll have problems with a gallon or two of water in their car.

Goose · Jun 10, 2008

A pint of corn syrup in the engine oil will destroy an engine in nothing flat. Don't know what it would do if mixed in gasoline.

Ron Anderson · Jun 10, 2008

Thanks for all the advise. I believe calcium chloride will do just fine. Probably cheaper then diesel. and will leave a more lasting impression then water.
Thanks a lot fellows I've been lurking at this website for a long time and am constantly amazed at all the good advise that is grouped together.

RayP(MI) · Jun 10, 2008

Father-in-law had a fast disapearing supply of gasoline in one of his bulk tanks. Next time he took a delivery, had the driver switch the tanks, diesel in the gas tank, gas in the diesel tank. Next morning there was a stalled car about 100 yards down the road. sheriff refused it deal with it, but at least he got his revenge!

Mark - IN. · Jun 10, 2008

I don't know for sure, never tried it but back decades ago auto mechanics teacher said putting a couple of moth balls in with gasoline increases octane unbelievably, so put a pox in and blow their motor if is true. But, as I recall moth balls and gasoline also make napalm, so...KABOOM it might really go.

If you do that, I don't know or want to know nothin about it.

Mark

JT · Jun 10, 2008

Put water in it, the gas will stay on top of water, when they start pouring, the gas still floats, so they are pouring straight water in their tank, goes to bottom of tank, as soon as they start it fills the fuel system with water, and will not run until the whole fuel system is flushed and cleaned.
Jim

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

I'm seeing the ideas about putting stuff in a gas can that's conveniently left out. What I'm wondering is, if the bad guys might not pour some of it in Your truck- especially if they suspect something's amiss. Or, they might come back later and "get even".

douglas carroll · Jun 10, 2008

mix it with a little Smith and Wesson if you know what I mean

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

Half kerosene, half gas.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

Good point Bryan I don't know how this myth got started. Sugar in gas would do the same thing as sand or dirt. It will clog the system. People will argue the point but have never tried to dissolve sugar in gas.

Bruce Hopf · Jun 10, 2008

Has any body heard of putting Bleach in a can of gas. 1 gallon of bleach to 4 gallons of gas. Bleach is a corrosive as well. Or may be some oven cleaner.
Bruce.
Hey, I just remembered a movie I saw one time. Somebody mounted an old double barreled shot gun on a post, pointing up and away over head, so it wouldn't cause any body any harm.
Had the hammers cocked back, and laid a tripwire. when the burglar tripped the wire, the shot gun went off, both barrels at once, thief filled his pants, and took off running. I forgot the name of the movie, but that scene was funny

Andy Motteberg · Jun 10, 2008

Install locking gas caps.

Fancy Farm · Jun 10, 2008

I think all of yall need to talk to a lawyer most of those ideas will get you in more trouble than the person steeling the gas.
You have money the thief doesnt the law will go after you first.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 10, 2008

I dont know if this will work or not, but when I worked in auto salvage buss. we would choke good engines down w/ tranny fluid by pooring it down the carb. until it died,but the engine was still good but smoked like Heck. If was me I would want to know who it is doing this to me!!! SO what I would do is mixx 4 gallons of fuel w/ 1 gallon of brake fluid.. Idont think it would tear any thing up but I fell it would let you know who you're frendly gas stealing neighbor is and it might give you a THRILL watching him replace GOOD motor after GOOD motor just because his transportation JUST FOR SOME STRANGE REASON WONT QUIT SMOKING LIKE HAIL.. OR the hood will stay open more than usual. and you might give him some friendly advice like DUH ; MAYBE YOU GOT SOME BAD GAS!!! GOOD LUCK and I hope you catch the BA...RD!!!!!

Leland · Jun 11, 2008

Just fill a can with E85 that should make plenty of problems for him if he's close to empty .then he could not claim you baited him and tore his car up on purpose .

2x4 · Jun 11, 2008

nah. they're too easy to pry off. anyway practically any key will work those things & those scum carry a variety of keys.

hay · Jun 11, 2008

regular raw linseed oil. mix one pint to five gal gas. in a while someone's engine will sieze up. 'nuff said.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 11, 2008

THAT'S A BIG "IF" Most times there is no water in gas -- in the winter (maybe) get yourself a glass and put gas in it -- then put a half tea spoon of sugar in it and stir --- then get back with me with an honest answer...

Hotflashjr · Jun 11, 2008

That Mythbusters show tried a bunch of fuel "additive" myths a while back. Some of the ones mentioned here did no damage. The sugar is one that they said was busted.
Busted Fuel Myths

IH2444 · Jun 11, 2008

If you are setting out bait gas then mix it about 25% tranny fluid as someone said, It will have the thiefs vehicle emitting large clouds of white smoke and should not damage the vehicle.

farmer boy · Jun 11, 2008

Can you hook an electric fence energizer up to the vehicle? Won"t hurt them but it will get them out of there in a hurry. 220 could kill a person. It"s 20 amps, it only takes about0.1 amp to kill you

buickanddeere · Jun 11, 2008

How are you going to get 240V from chassis to earth?
How are you limiting the current to 20amps?

farmer boy · Jun 12, 2008

larryh-"wire the vehicle to 220 if it has a metal cap if not put one on it he will still be there the next morning and all you have to do is contact the next of kin "
buickanddeere- I'm a little late replying to your reply. I was originally replying to this comment about using 220 and a metal gas cap. 20 amps is about the minimum that would be hooked up to 220. It could be 50 amps for all I care. The 220 would obviously go through the scum stealing the gas and, as larry stated, kill him. I'm just saying it's a very stupid idea that would end with a law suit.

Gas thieves

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