[RichardinVirginia]

Hello,

A mechanic told me today that there is no way that someone could siphon the fuel out of my 2001 F-250 7.3L diesel fuel tank!

Is this true???

 

[jpciron]

He is correct. But for that to happen... your fuel tank would need to be empty or down hill from the container the thieves are trying to fill.

 

[yan7gin]

never thought about that before.... can some one explain why???

 

[Mike321]

This would be a lot easier and quicker

 

[RichardinVirginia]

??? Tank empty and downhill?

He is correct. But for that to happen... your fuel tank would need to be empty or down hill from the container the thieves are trying to fill.

I am sorry but that answer makes no sense...

Let me rephrase my question>>> If my fuel tank is on full, can someone steal the fuel by siphoning the fuel using a hose or siphoning pump tool?

I took my truck to a shop. It was there for several days, and was even parked in an unsecured lot. When I took the truck to the shop it had a full tank of diesel fuel. When I picked up the truck the low fuel light came on and and the gauge was reading near the "e" mark.

When I asked the shop owner about this, he claimed that "there is NO way that someone can siphon out the fuel, as there is a baffle (or something) in the tank that prevents that from happening"

I AM CONFUSED! Can someone tell me what the truth is?

I am out nearly a $100 in gas!

 

[chuckster57]

Personally I think you were had. BUT unless you have documentation showing it was full when you dropped off, it's going to be a battle getting it replaced.

Maybe time to cross that shop off your list of businesses to support/recommend.

 

[ArcticDriver]

I am sorry but that answer makes no sense...

Let me rephrase my question>>> If my fuel tank is on full, can someone steal the fuel by siphoning the fuel using a hose or siphoning pump tool?

I took my truck to a shop. It was there for several days, and was even parked in an unsecured lot. When I took the truck to the shop it had a full tank of diesel fuel. When I picked up the truck the low fuel light came on and and the gauge was reading near the "e" mark.

When I asked the shop owner about this, he claimed that "there is NO way that someone can siphon out the fuel, as there is a baffle (or something) in the tank that prevents that from happening"

I AM CONFUSED! Can someone tell me what the truth is?

I am out nearly a $100 in gas!

Ofcourse, we all know the physics of a siphon (a poor man's credit card) make it possible to remove fuel out of a tank but I didn't know about a baffle. Seems easy enough to verify by sticking a flexible tube down the pipe.

Its a bold accusation to make though without having eliminated any other possibilities. Certainly, a fuel log that has your recorded mileage at last fill-up to compare against current mileage, a dated purchase receipt, etc...and, ofcourse, having already made the decision that you won't be using that Garage in the future ;-)

Good luck getting it sorted. BTW, what type of repair was it in the shop for?

 

[ArcticDriver]

Personally I think you were had. BUT unless you have documentation showing it was full when you dropped off, it's going to be a battle getting it replaced.

Maybe time to cross that shop off your list of businesses to support/recommend.

Chuck, you're faster to the draw :winking:

 

[RT]

He is correct. But for that to happen... your fuel tank would need to be empty or down hill from the container the thieves are trying to fill.

I am sorry but that answer makes no sense...

Sure it does. It's called satire. He's saying the "mechanic" (and I'm using that term loosely) is correct in two situations. One - your tank is already empty. Two - the truck was lower than the container he is siphoning in to. See, to siphon, the receiving tank has to be lower than the donor tank. That's how gravity works.

So, in a very humorous way, JP was letting you know your mechanic lied to you. There is NO baffle in these tanks. Its a straight shot in with a hose. Probably one of the easiest tanks to siphon. You've been robbed AND lied to....

 

[ArcticDriver]

I suppose you could check with your local Police Dept and ask if there is a history of vandalism in that unsecured lot ot even if a claim has been made against that Service Garage before.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Sure it does. It's called satire. He's saying the "mechanic" (and I'm using that term loosely) is correct in two situations. One - your tank is already empty. Two - the truck was lower than the container he is siphoning in to. See, to siphon, the receiving tank has to be lower than the donor tank. That's how gravity works.

So, in a very humorous way, JP was letting you know your mechanic lied to you. There is NO baffle in these tanks. Its a straight shot in with a hose. Probably one of the easiest tanks to siphon. You've been robbed AND lied to....

That JP's humor is even drier than the OPs fuel tank.

 

[crashz]

What was you Odometer reading when you went in? Maybe they used you truck and burnt up that full tank of fuel?

If you went in with a full tank and the shop mechanic said it was impossible to siphon, then where did the fuel go? No leaks right? So it was burnt. That would infuriate me. Because they would have to put 400 +/- miles on. I'd rather have some jerk steal the fuel than lose the fuel AND add 400 miles of wear and tear on my truck from joy riding!

I'd confront the shop owner and if he gives you a lousy answer, start dropping names like: "Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, etc". And then act on it.

 

[yan7gin]

So, in a very humorous way, JP was letting you know your mechanic lied to you. There is NO baffle in these tanks. Its a straight shot in with a hose. Probably one of the easiest tanks to siphon. You've been robbed AND lied to....

Thats the first though i had when i read is post. I just though he was explaining something and i couldn't translate correctly :grin2:

 

[0298PSD]

There is NO baffle in these tanks. Its a straight shot in with a hose.

Yep, I've used a fuel transfer pump with a 3/4 ID hose to empty my tank a few times.

 

[Coolerking]

Ever see the very end of the fill tube?
I have an 03 E350 with the 7.3, the tank delaminated, I've seen it, and the sock on the end, if intact, would be hard to get through with a hose.
But if you have the tool, and know where the lift pump is.....

 

[klhansen]

Ever see the very end of the fill tube?
I have an 03 E350 with the 7.3, the tank delaminated, I've seen it, and the sock on the end, if intact, would be hard to get through with a hose.
But if you have the tool, and know where the lift pump is.....

I don't know abut the E-series fuel filler, but there's no sock on the end of a pickup full tube. Like RT said, it's a straight shot into the tank.

To the OP, sorry about the loss of your fuel. I think your only hope is that the jerk that siphoned it put it in a gasser. That would serve them right when they stalled out in the sticks. As far as getting something back from the shop, that's probably not going to happen. Just scratch them off your list of shops that you should consider. My advice would be to move on. Probably not worth the aggravation in trying to get them to make it right. They'll probably point you to the tiny sign on the lot that says "Not responsible for damage or theft....blah, blah, blah."

 

[RichardinVirginia]

I don't know abut the E-series fuel filler, but there's no sock on the end of a pickup full tube. Like RT said, it's a straight shot into the tank.

To the OP, sorry about the loss of your fuel. I think your only hope is that the jerk that siphoned it put it in a gasser. That would serve them right when they stalled out in the sticks. As far as getting something back from the shop, that's probably not going to happen. Just scratch them off your list of shops that you should consider. My advice would be to move on. Probably not worth the aggravation in trying to get them to make it right. They'll probably point you to the tiny sign on the lot that says "Not responsible for damage or theft....blah, blah, blah."

Yeah I know it is fruitless to think the shop would re-fill my tank. My bad. Not a shop I ever went to before and have no reason to go there again so it is over and done with. Lesson learned (buy a locking cap period).

At this point I just want to sell the 2001 F-250. The 4R100 tranny is gone. The 7.3 Turbo is very strong only has 193K miles.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Richard,

Just a month ago you had posted that your fuel gauge wasn't working properly.

Are you certain your tank was emptied or could your gauge simply be broken?

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/intank-mod-434633/index2.html

 

[Alaskapsdvan]

I don't know abut the E-series fuel filler, but there's no sock on the end of a pickup full tube. Like RT said, it's a straight shot into the tank.

To the OP, sorry about the loss of your fuel. I think your only hope is that the jerk that siphoned it put it in a gasser. That would serve them right when they stalled out in the sticks. As far as getting something back from the shop, that's probably not going to happen. Just scratch them off your list of shops that you should consider. My advice would be to move on. Probably not worth the aggravation in trying to get them to make it right. They'll probably point you to the tiny sign on the lot that says "Not responsible for damage or theft....blah, blah, blah."

It was in 2014 that I had the tank down and for the van or at least mine there was a sock over the end. I can only speak to my van and my tank.

 

[jpciron]

Dang, now I Have a dry sense of humor. I thought it was just common sense.
JPC