Hole in gas tank? I think it's vandalism/theft.

Got out to my truck this morning and smelled a little bit of gas. Got around to the back side of it and saw a small area that was darker than the driveway and it smelled like gas. First thought was someone must have siphoned my gas tank and spilled some of it. Jumped into my truck fired it up and what do you know my gas tank needle is way past the E mark on the gauge. I drove to the gas station to fill it up thinking I just got robbed of 7 or 8 gallons of gas (not a HUGE deal). I started filling my truck up and about went inside to go to the bathroom till I realized I could hear fuel splashing on something. I thought oh it's probably the fuel rushing into an empty gas tank. NOOOOPE! I'm basically filling up the ground below my truck now. I quickly started thinking maybe the gas tank has a defect and this will be covered under warranty. I went inside and told them they now have 2 gallons of gas on the ground so they can get it cleaned up properly and drove home. Got home and went around the truck to notice the trailer hitch had been stolen. I've had people in the past take it off and put it in the bed of my truck before as a "joke" but I couldn't think of anyone in my neighborhood that would actually do something like that. Called my friend that worked at Toyota for many years to see if there was a drain or something in the gas tank and he informed me that there isn't. So now I'm thinking that someone just punched a hole in it and stole my gas and hitch.

 

damn, got a pic?

 

People these days... So messed up, i'm sorry to hear that man.

 

Not yet. I couldn't even get under the truck enough in my business casual clothes at the gas station to see the actual hole. The rear end was in the way.

 

wow, that really sucks if that's the case. Have you got under the truck to see exactly where its draining out from?

 

I agree. Gas isn't even that high here. It's actually lower than normal.

 

Not quite yet. I was hoping it was a warranty issue but after seeing my hitch and ball mount gone I know it has to be vandalism and theft. UNLESS coincidently someone stole my ball mount earlier in the day.

 

Vandalism/theft but more likely an angry ex

Either way man that sucks but the silver lining is now you have a reason to upgrade to a long range tank

 

yeah the stolen trailer hitch raises suspicion, otherwise i wouldve said maybe you banged your gas tank on something and punctured it? highly unlikely though

 

Not an angry ex. None of them live in the state any more. They all moved away!

Long range tank? Learn me this!

 

That's what I'm thinking. As far as banging it on something I don't go anywhere off road so that would be highly unlikely.

 

Would a fuel tank repair kit fox a hole?

 

Without a doubt someone drilled into your tank and stole your gas. Sorry to hear you have scum like that living near you. Just hope they're using a drill that produces some sparks next time.

A fuel tank repair kit will work but you'll rather have the peace of mind ordering a new tank. They're not horribly expensive and pretty easy to install yourself. Depending on your deductible you should go through insurance.

Fuck theives.

 

Before you jump to too many conclusions you should find the hole and snap a picture. If it's jagged either you punctured it or some tweaker jabbed a hole. If it's nice and round then someone definitely drilled it, may also be a tweaker.

 

I agree on the piece of mind. I have a $250 deductible on comprehensive claims.

 

I'll take a picture later once it finishes draining all my gas out.

Do they make a gas tank protector plate to prevent kicking a rock up and puncturing it?

 

Spending money on your deductible because some prick stole your shit sucks regardless.

 

some fool hit all the trucks at our yard. got them all (except my work truck).

i came to work early and almost caught them..they abandoned all their tools. a fuel repair kit doesnt work. coworker tried on his personal truck, but it eventually started leaking again. he sucked it up and got a new tank.

sorry this happened to you.

 

So my GF is having her somewhat worthless cousin live with us the past 7 months (should have been out 4 months ago) and I just noticed the exterior light that comes on with any movement was shut off. He's the only person that turns it off. The fucking thieves had all night to do this in the dark with that light off.

 

You can forget thinking it was anything but theft, The modern anti-siphon design of fuel fillers has caused a new wave of tank drilling. I urge anyone who catches a guy doing this to just shoot him. The more dead gas thieves the less chance people will take to steal gas.