Originally posted by NickFitz
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![Mad](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/mad.png)
As I waited for the breakdown guy, it occurred to me that the "fuel low" light was among the dazzling constellation on the dashboard that illuminated as it attempted to start, and I seemed to recollect that it didn't usually come on then. So I grabbed my torch and went down to the car again. Sure enough, the flap over the filler cap had been pried open, and the filler cap was loose. Someone had apparently nicked the fuel
![Mad](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/mad2.gif)
I grabbed the (empty) spare fuel can and popped to the Shell place down the road. While there I asked the chap, and he said somebody had reported a similar thing last Monday.
As I was almost back at the car, the breakdown chap phoned to say he was outside, so I went to get him and bring him to where the car was. I explained that it was almost certainly a fuel-theft situation. He said he'd come and do his tests on the battery etc. anyway, as then he could put the paperwork through and nobody would be any the wiser
![Wink](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
As he tested various things I poured the fuel into the tank. Once done, he gave it a try and after a few moments it fired up, nice as pie
![Yay](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/extras/17.gif)
Then I shone my torch downwards… to reveal a stream of petrol flowing away from under the car
![EEK!](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/eek.png)
I called him round, adding that he should probably kill the engine first. He had a look, then got right down and looked underneath. Turns out they'd drained the fuel by puncturing the tank; the cap was just loosened to let air in as it drained
![Suicide](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/extras/suicide.gif)
He explained that he wasn't sure what to do for the best, as all the garages we might take it to would be shut by now. I asked him what time it was; he said it was 6pm.
I hoiked my phone out and called the little backstreet mechanics I always use. Sure enough, Jason (the gaffer) answered and, when I explained the situation, said "No problem, drop it down here, I'll be here for another hour or so."
![Yay](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/extras/17.gif)
Mr Breakdown was quite stunned that I'd found somewhere open (he kept saying that his boss would never believe it), but quickly drove the car out onto the road while there was still some fuel left and got it on the back of his wagon. So we went, and dropped it off, and now I'm waiting to hear how much a new fuel tank is going to cost, and when it'll be fixed
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/rolleyes.png)
Originally posted by zeitghost
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![Wink](https://forums.contractoruk.com/core/images/smilies/wink.png)
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