A business model built on fumes
An attempt to cut the pub’s energy bill becomes a plan to stockpile gasoline. When the bank refuses a loan, the trio takes money from Dee and buys fuel anyway.
Supporting source ↗CASE FILE · S04 E02
The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis
S04 E02Photograph not available
Mac, Dennis, and Charlie take advantage of high gas prices by investing in barrels of gasoline and selling them door-to-door; Dee and Frank plot to brand Bruce Mathis as a terrorist leader when they find out that he plans to give their money to a Muslim community center.
THE SHORT VERSION · SPOILERS AHEAD
INSIDE THE CASE.
The sales department
A homemade graph, a table of funnels and hand-lettered signs give the scheme its makeshift identity. Charlie later adds a cowboy hat and bolo tie for the doorstep pitch.
Supporting source ↗Surveillance on the wrong man
Frank and Dee target a man they believe is Bruce Mathis. Their equipment includes a van with heavily tinted windows and a baby monitor; they have the wrong person.
Supporting source ↗The wildcard delivers
Charlie’s brake sabotage sends the gasoline-filled van into a crash. The group’s role-playing ends in wreckage and flames.
Supporting source ↗THE EVIDENCE
THINGS IN THIS EPISODE.
Characters
Charlie Kelly180 other recorded episodes
Charlie sucks on a yellow hose beside the Range Rover during the fuel-transfer attempt.Source ↗
Dee Reynolds179 other recorded episodes
Dee stands in the apartment while Frank displays his listening device.Source ↗
Dennis Reynolds176 other recorded episodes
Dennis presents the gas-price chart at the bank, complete with drawings beside the graph.Source ↗
Frank Reynolds171 other recorded episodes
Frank sits in the dim van holding his surveillance camera.Source ↗
Locations
Paddy’s Pub147 other recorded episodes
The opening conversation takes place around a portable generator on the pub floor.Source ↗
Objects
Baby monitorsOnly recorded here so far
Frank brings a baby monitor to use as a bug in the apartment.Source ↗
Business charts2 other recorded episodes
Dennis points to a pink upward-trending graph flanked by drawings of women.Source ↗
Frank’s van1 other recorded episode
The dark red van sits behind Dennis and Charlie during their doorstep sales pitch.Source ↗
FunnelsOnly recorded here so far
Bright pink, blue and black funnels sit on the gasoline sales table.Source ↗
Gas generatorOnly recorded here so far
Charlie holds a red fuel can over the generator inside Paddy’s.Source ↗
Gasoline3 other recorded episodes
Mac, Charlie and Dennis try filling a large black container beside the gas pump.Source ↗
Homemade signs5 other recorded episodes
Cardboard and container signs advertise gas for sale at the makeshift roadside stand.Source ↗
Range Rover19 other recorded episodes
Dennis’s green Range Rover serves as the fuel source for Charlie’s siphoning attempt.Source ↗
Schemes
Bank loans1 other recorded episode
After their gasoline loan pitch fails, the trio strip off their shirts in front of the loan officer.Source ↗
Brake sabotage1 other recorded episode
The van’s final drive goes wrong when Charlie reveals that he cut the brakes.Source ↗
Door-to-door sales2 other recorded episodes
Dennis and Charlie pitch gasoline to a woman at her front door.Source ↗
Gas siphoningOnly recorded here so far
A yellow hose runs from the vehicle to Charlie’s mouth as he attempts to siphon its fuel.Source ↗
Running jokes
Costumes
Cowboy outfits3 other recorded episodes
Charlie wears a brown cowboy hat, brown jacket and bolo tie for the doorstep pitch.Source ↗
Improvised bandages3 other recorded episodes
A towel and shiny duct tape cover Mac’s burned head.Source ↗
FOLLOW THE THREAD
CONNECTED EPISODES.
S08 E02 Connected through Brake sabotage, Wildcard, Door-to-door sales and 6 more.
S09 E09 
Connected through Bank loans, Paddy’s Pub, Frank Reynolds and 4 more.
S07 E09 Connected through Frank’s van, Frank Reynolds, Dennis Reynolds and 3 more.
S05 E03 
Connected through Door-to-door sales, Paddy’s Pub, Frank Reynolds and 4 more.
SOURCES & NOTES.
Tags document researched occurrences, not every appearance. Read the research notes and attribution.