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MG MGA - Fuel Tank Security..Locking Cap?

I am using the car for every day motoring and leaving it unattended for longer times. I am looking to remove any syphoning or contamination risk re the tank so will probably fit a locking cap ..but note the ones I have found so far ( incl moss ones ) require a new filler neck. Has anyone any advice for me ??
Neil Ferguson

Neil

I have never thought about this one before but there are certainly times when my car sits unguarded when away from home. I was wondering if, as an alternative, you removed the metal neck and welded a mesh to the inside bore. This would certainly stop syphoning pipes. It might affect the automatic cut-offs on pumps at petrol stations, so would need to be careful if filling to the brim. As a bonus it would act as a catch for anything substantial dropped into the pipe (filler cap bolts etc).

Steve

Steve Gyles

You should be able to get a NOS Wilmott Breeden locking fuel cap and adapter. I will check next time I am in my workshop to see if I can find a part number.
Neil MG

Neil
you used to be able to get a stainless steel star snowflake-shaped spring mesh which you could push into the tank filler tube.
It would allow you to push it down inside the filler hose but it was impossible to remove it that way.

I had one on my last MGAs filler tube but I must admit that I havent seen them in the motorist discount shops for quite a few years.

Colyn
c firth

Neil,
I use a small ball of what we call "chicken wire" and trap some of the loose ends between the rubber and the neck of the tank. On the V8 it sits just round the bend so that the thief can't get a screwdriver past it.I thought the lockable cap would do the same job - the thief removed it without difficulty ---- four times over a period of years.!The police said I was lucky he didn't just stick the screwdriver in the tank !

I haven't looked at the A yet - only just uk-registered.
Roger
Roger Walker

Neil, I installed a locking cap onto the existing filler neck of my A (see photos). The unit is chrome plated, 2.5 inches exterior diameter and an interior diameter of 1.75 inches, with 2 locking tabs. I went to several auto specialty shops before I found one which fit; unfortunately there is no brand name on the cap.

Nick Kopernik

Second photo.

Nick Kopernik

I had similar locking caps on my A and on an old pickup I used to own. Someone pried the cap off the pickup, doing damage to the filler neck and the surrounding body. I would rather have them steal the gas than damage my A.

Ken
k v morton

Belt and braces!

Mike Ellsmore

The real danger is that the thief will puncture the tank from below and drain all the fuel into a catch can. This is a safer way for them anyway because it isn't as visually obvious a crime. I do have a locking cap on my daily driver (MGB) but sometimes I wonder if it would be better to let them siphon than to risk a $400 stainless fuel tank.
Steve Simmons

I must say I have never heard of having petrol stolen out of an MGA/MGB in our club (1900 members). Then again not many are daily drivers.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

With the price of petrol dropping like it is over here (about a 25% reduction), it's hardly worth the effort for thieves. The whole car is far more valuable (up 25%). Definitely worth making sure the car is well equipped with immobilisers etc.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I put locking cap on my twin cam the cap is by Stent #10702 I modified the filler neck sorry I do not recall how. The cap was cheap couple of $$$
Martin
sharpeys

My concern was never about someone siphoning gas, but rather having someone, typically kids, drop foreign objects into a visible & readily available gas tank opening. I stopped one frisky youth from dropping in a golf ball; another tike popped the cap and was ready to slid in a plastic straw. Car shows are great, but with no parents in sight, some kids just want to have a bit of mischief at someone else's expense.
Nick Kopernik

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2015 and 29/01/2015

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