2004 Pacifica Anti-Siphoning Fuel Tank
 

My Pacifica AWD has been averaging 21-24MPG consistently and on 1 occasion 13MPG. The engine runs smooth and there is no smell of gas when being checked. Dealer informs me that thieves are able to siphon gas from the fuel tank and in doing so - are able to break the plastic ball.
I was able to feed a 5/16" fuel hose 5 feet into the tank. I have checked the Pacifica CD trying to locate such an anti-siphoning device but it is not listed. I checked with the parts department on the filler neck but the pix does not show anything nor is there a description of it. Dealer says that the tank will need to be removed to clean the plastic debris from the tank to keep it from plugging the fuel pump. Has anyone ever experienced this?

That check ball isn't going to do anything besides roll around in the tank. Don't bother with it. BTW, it's part of the tank not the neck. Fuel tank is like 700 bucks I think.

Thanks NTTech! Is there any chance that this ball could be broken and interfere with the screen sock on the fuel pump inlet tube? Also is it possible to siphon fuel out of the tank if it is full? I appear to have lost about 10 gallons of fuel, ie, (2) 5gal cans....

It's a saddlebag tank. You may not have lost any. One of the level sensors may be faulty and the fuel over transfered to one side.

I don't believe the ball will float, so it shouldn't cause any issues.

i personally have been in the tank on this vehicle and am having a problem with the fuel transfering from the passenger side to the driverside were the fuel pump is located. I get around 300KM (roughly 175miles) and the tank goes from half tank to empty super quick. To breat that ball someone would have to be pretty strong and trust me... it's supper hard to syphone gas from that tank because of that ball. if the problem with you tank is the same as mine. then your having an issue with the jet pump on the passenger side of the tank.