2003 chev Malibu V6 3.1-vandalism - gas tank stuffed with balloons

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Re: 2003 chev malibu V6 3.1

Few months ago, my car was really low in gas, causing the warning dinger to go off. When I stopped to fill the tank at nearest gas station, I discovered as I unfastened the gas cap. Unbelievable enormous amount of balloon fragments. I called Mechanic who advised that I do not fill tank, do not continue to drive & have it towed to service station.

It was a Saturday, few stations open. The garage that worked on my car removed the balloon fragments from the gas tank filler explaining that balloon fragments would not have entered the gas tank due to the debris filter found at bottom of gas tank filler tube part. The following couple of weeks my car performed poorly, hesitating, stalling. On one of the hottest days last summer my car stalled, for no apparent reason. Full tank of gas but I was unable to restart. There was power from the battery, it had the usual starting sound, but didn't seem to have enough strength for gas flow to start the car. Thus car had to be towed to garage. Advised I needed fuel line cleaner. Car continued to stall frequently, then fuel filter was replaced. The stalling discontinued, but the gas mileage reduced in its performance. Previous to incident, car averaged 28 miles/city. Now it varies from 12 - 15 miles/city.

I am not convinced that balloon debris did not enter gas tank. I purchased this car when it was year old, & have been pleased with 7 years problem free malibu. Gas tank now has a locked gas cap

Any feedback, comments, recommendations of what to do next greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
~ Gem ~

Yes, have a locked gas cap now !