Neighbor's car leaks gas, but doesn't have the money to repair it?

Question

My neighbor's car leaked gas (visibly, supposedly from a cracked carburator), but he does not have the money to fix the car. He has driven it from the driveway (which is inclined) to the curb (which is less inclined) and it has stopped leaking. I am aware that a car that leaks gas is dangerous (thanks to previous posters). I have two further questions:

- If the owner does not have the money to fix the car is there a public service that could take care of the problem? The local firestation or the police?

- He claims that there was less than 2.5 gallon in the tank and there should be less there now. I believe his strategy is to let it evaporate over time. How worried should I be about an explosion? How far should the car be parked away from the house?

Any advice of what I can do is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

as long as it is not running it will not leak gas

Answer 2

let it lek on the hot exhaust and burn up. some times the things only takes a little tightening here and the. easy bring it over, and i'll fix it

Answer 3

Don't smoke within 50' of it.

Answer 4

not to worry. but it does need to be repaired. it also costs money to let fuel run on the ground.............

Answer 5

One should be concerned anytime there's a gas leak. This is not to be fooled around with. When it's leaking on a very calm day the concentrated fumes will linger around the car, and if an ignition source ignites it, there WILL be an explosion, regardless of how big or small.

When I say 'ignition source' I'm talking about anything that acts as the spark for the ignition point of the gasoline, such as a match, cig lighter, a lit cig, even a spark plug from a passing car. What if kids are walking by smoking and it explodes? He can be arrested if it's found out that he knew it was leaking, yet did very little about it.

Answer 6

No the fire department will not take care of this unless it has been removed from the car and should you worry, not really...