With the price of gas going up, I decided to buy a locking gas cap. I went to the dealer to get a Ford cap, and the parts man told me I don't need one, as there is a restrictor plate inside the fuel filler spout that stops anyone who would try to siphon some gas. According to the Service Manual I have, there is a restrictor plate inside, but it is used to only allow the truck to accept Un-leaded fuel nozzles. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I was quoted $50 Canadian for the cap, and that kind of money would half fill my tank if not needed. I have a 2001 Supercrew.

Thanks in advance.

 

I wouldn’t think there is something "blocking" someone from stealing your gas. I would figure a hose going into the tank would push that flap open to steal the gas as it would the nozzle to push it open to fill it.

IMO if someone sees these big vehicles like trucks and SUV's with 25+ gallon tanks, they are going to get your gas no matter what. Even if you have a locking gas cap they are just going to punch a hole from underneath your vehicle into your tank and drain your gas that way. Our local news channels have been reporting a rise in this style of gas theft.

So your locking gas cap may deter someone once or twice, but eventually if someone wants your gas bad enough they will figure out to get it.

Good Luck!

 

Actually there is a filter in the neck of our gas tanks. I was having a bonfire at a friends house and we were throwing gas on the fire making fireballs (ya drunk decisions) and we ran out of gas so we decided to take some out of my truck with a tube and no luck. There was a filter towards the latter end of the neck that made it impossible to get the tube in there.

Save your money on the gas cap and put it in your tank. If they want to get to the gas that bad, then they will punch a hole in your tank or something else.

Brian

 

i paid $36.00 CDN from my dealer. he sold it to me for the same price as crappy tire. i mainly got it to keep someone from putting something into the tank.

 

I was worried about people doing more than taking my gas. I've had friends that have had sugar and other crap poured in their tanks with caused havoc on their engines.

I bought a Stant locking gas cap at Pep Boys and Walmart for both trucks, about $15 each.

 

if vandalism is the issue then by all means go locking.

 

Yep, vandalism is the major reason that I bought a locking gas cap. It is made by Balkamp and looks just like the stock cap except for the key hole on top. It was $21 and change at Napa auto parts. The factory lanyard fits around it also.

 

Around '97 I noticed I couldn't get a siphon hose down into a tank on a Ford. I guess stealing gas is a non-issue.

I guess if vandals are out for you, it might be worth the trouble. But most things vandals will put in your gas tank (sugar, syrup, etc) won't hurt your enine. It may clog your fuel filter, but your engine won't freeze up. Those old wive's tales were debunked a long time ago.

 

I got a locker to keep unwanted fuel out . . .

 

maybe not sugar but i've heard of battery acid mixed with coca-cola can ruin an entire fuel system from the tank to the injectors. not sure if anyone has ever heard of this but i guess this happen at my cousins dodge dealership were he works. they had a mini van come in and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with so they had the fuel anaylized and this is what they found. they had to replace everything fuel related at a cost of around $3000 in parts in labor (ouch) a locking cap is cheap.

 

Antifreeze in the tank works well too.... but that's another discussion for another time.

I used to build the tanks for our trucks.... there is an anti-siphon guard attached to the filler neck. I, however, picked up a locking cap anyways.

www.stant.com.... $20 at most auto parts stores.

-Joe

 

I had a ford locking cap on my 2001 screw . I don,t know if it was a faulty cap or there all problematic but cap would pop loose and throw a engine light .
I,ve had non OEM lockers in the past with never any problems but this Ford cap had to go.

 

For what it's worth, I installed an OEM locking cap almost two years ago and have never had a problem. Sounds like your cap was a defect.

SL