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| Locking gas caps (Page 1/2) |
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Spoon
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MAR 06, 08:35 AM
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With fuel prices breaking the barrier I became a little nervous and expect the gas thieves to start showing up in the middle of the night or "day". Yesterday I purchased online 4 locking gas caps. I was surprised to see there was not a shortage..... yet. I did the 3800sc swap on the Fiero and that's uses the expensive premium fuel. Yes I even have the sticker on the inside of the fuel door (Premium Fuel Only). I thought the inside fuel door release was a mild deterrent until my annual inspection was due and the mechanic called me to ask where the release lever was. Said he searched all over the interior.
ps: The 4 locking caps came to $68.xx on Amazon.
Spoon
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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
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Newbfiero
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MAR 06, 08:56 AM
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Thank you for the info 👍 , true about the gas thieves 🧐 going to get a couple . Rob …
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  [This message has been edited by Newbfiero (edited 03-06-2022).]
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Dennis LaGrua
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MAR 06, 05:32 PM
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It is even possible to get a siphon down into the tank? I tried it once and the hose didn't reach the tank. Gas tank locks are certainly good to have but does the gas door still close with one? ------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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Patrick
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MAR 06, 06:09 PM
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theogre
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MAR 06, 08:59 PM
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Yes, because Fiero fill port is so long w/ bends including tight 90° at end...
Is very hard to push any siphon into the tank at all.
Many other cars have same "problem" trying to empty tanks for FP problems.
| quote | Originally posted by Spoon:
ps: The 4 locking caps came to $68.xx on Amazon. |
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For ref: Fiero Stant Lock gas cap is ST10501 $24.99 from stant/carparts.com and others.
Even if you buy a locking cap... They are Security Theater.
IOW They are crap even from Stant.
You don't need a Locksmith or LPLawyer to remove w/o a key.
I removed many of them working at gas stations because idiots loose/forget the keys and out of gas.
If wasn't very easy to "pick" then just destroy the top in seconds very easy then remove the rest. Often can still use the rest until replace the broken cap. I took longer then that only to protect the car's body and paint.
I only had them on some Fords and others w/o covers over gas caps just to prevent kids grabbing them etc then water getting in easy.
Before unleaded fuel and small hole in the fill port... Many install a "spring" to block siphons. Easy to install just from opening side but hard to pull out.
(To do this now would need to take filling port and hose(s) apart.)
The "Springs" did work But
If they really want your fuel...
many simply punch a hole in the tank and drain that way.
They maybe "patch" the hole w/ whatever to get the rest later. Often don't bother and rest is on street etc.
E2A-->Bandit Blocker is still available but harder to install w/ many unleaded gas vehicles... You have to push down the tube so pump nozzles work but most have no room to do that. More so when tube bend right below the small nozzle hole.
 | | CLICK FOR FULL SIZE |
https://www.gasbanditblocker.com/ and amazon etc.
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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-07-2022).]
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theogre
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MAR 06, 09:29 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
If buying a locking gas cap for your Fiero, make sure to get a non-vented one (if there's a choice).
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All cars w/ EVAP systems use "Non-vented" gas caps.
They allow air in to the tank to prevent FP and weather causing high tank vacuum. Because EVAP vents often have very tiny holes etc and may not keep up w/ air flow demands. Tanks can take a lot of pressure but hate vacuum.
Vented Gas caps is for Pre ~ 1975 cars that had no EVAP systems to control vapor release to the air.
Trucks may use them until the 80's to 90's.
Small Engines, Boats, and farm/construction equipment often still have Vented tanks or caps.[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-07-2022).]
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Patrick
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MAR 07, 02:04 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by theogre:
Vented Gas caps is for Pre ~ 1975 cars that had no EVAP systems to control vapor release to the air.
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Yes, this is what I've understood for years... which doesn't help explain why all the Fiero gas caps at my supplied link are listed as "Vented".
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Out of curiosity, I had a look to see what locking gas caps might be available at RockAuto. I was more than a bit surprised to see that all the caps (both locking and regular) are listed as Vented. 
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I take it then that these caps allow venting into the tank, yet do not allow venting out to the atmosphere.
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skywurz
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MAR 07, 11:16 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by theogre:
Even if you buy a locking cap... They are Security Theater.
IOW They are crap even from Stant.
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100% agree
A lot of lockout kits come with a gas cap rake. You can buy them for less than$5. They are super effective and 0 skills to use.  [This message has been edited by skywurz (edited 03-07-2022).]
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theogre
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MAR 07, 12:25 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by skywurz:
100% agree
A lot of lockout kits come with a gas cap rake. You can buy them for less than$5. They are super effective and 0 skills to use. |
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Yup, Those came w/ lockout kits for tow trucks etc in Decades past. If cops etc catch you caring any part of these kits outside of business reasons can be big trouble in areas actually bothered. (Slim Jims etc are covered in "Burglary Tools" in many places and just carrying can be a crime.)
Now can get from Ebay and others that sell many types of illegal and counterfeit crap.
I never bothered to use them.
Many times having 1 or 2 actual keys works in many lock caps.
You think many have lock cap keys connected to car keys but many don't. Many have more car key copies (because often have 3+ people using the vehicle) and put cap key somewhere else then loose them.
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theogre
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MAR 07, 01:37 PM
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As to Bandit Blocker... The "pictures" are misleading showing a simple tube.
Some know nearly all Fill ports have Vents tubes along the side of the big tube and join the big tube at the top.
Most are hidden inside the small nozzle hole and "door" and can be hard to see.
"Worse" many like Fiero have some kind of baffle in the big tube to make the vent "breath" properly even when the nozzle isn't pushed in fully and gas flows.
I just looked at my car now to check.
In Fiero and likely many others you have to push in the "spring" way down the fill tube to clear that baffle so it won't cause problems for any pump nozzles. Many Nozzles barely fit the hole and clear the baffle on Fiero....
You can see the top end of the baffle after you push the "door" open. The door actually hits the baffle at the top.
Borescope may help to see more but don't bother to use one.
You likely need a very long screwdriver to install this. Maybe possible to use such a tool as doesn't bend tight at the top but I only had a ~ 12" Thin straight blade to "test." Went all the way to the handle easy.
But I don't think most w/ siphon will be able to use on Fiero because of above.
I don't have a Fiero fill tube out to measure but after 3 to 4 Feet steel and hose and some bends plus 90° final bend most siphons won't get to the tank. Many examples in the Bandit Blocker site video and others won't even be long to reach Fiero gas tank.
Is Why many are told to run the FP to empty the Fiero tank for sender and other problem for dropping the tank. (When done, Do Not let FP to run dry!)
Some New cars may have anti-siphon features so check this before buying anything.
Other vehicles have same "problem" as Fiero w/ long fill port, too many bends or tight radius bends...
(People that uses "Snakes" for plumbing electric etc have often seen similar issues should know what I mean...)[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-07-2022).]
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