MattWoking Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 Hi all,So, went to fill the car with fuel the other day, and I couldn't open the flap. It seems to be permanently locked. Can't turn the metal bit at all, and simply feels locked. I can turn the key around no problems but in both directions it feels the same.Did note that it was a bit tighter than usual to pull up the metal tab when I went to fill it. So I suspect something may be broke ....Anybody faced this before and have any simple solutions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2020 Member Share Posted March 24, 2020 What vehicle?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattWoking Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share Posted March 24, 2020 310S. Looks like this http://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/universal-3-aero-fuel-cap.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2020 Member Share Posted March 24, 2020 Thanks.http://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x265/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/u/n/universal-aero-fuel-cap.jpgA quick search didn't show anything in the archives.Can you remove the whole unit with it locked?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue C7 Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 May be worth squirting WD in the key slot as the fingers might be stuck then try working the key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2020 Member Share Posted March 24, 2020 Good idea + some percussion afterwards.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattWoking Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share Posted March 24, 2020 I had thought of WD40, and then wondered what that may do if it gets into the petrol tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2020 Member Share Posted March 24, 2020 I wouldn't expect a bit in a tank of petrol to do any harm.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnkerB-S Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 You can easily get at the fuel filler tube by removing the soft cover over the tank/"boot". Loosen the clamp on the flexible tube and remove the locked fuel cap, stuff a small towel into the filler tube and either fix or replace the cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattWoking Posted March 25, 2020 Author Share Posted March 25, 2020 Thats a great shout! I hadn't though of accessing via the boot .... Cheers for the thought!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 25, 2020 Member Share Posted March 25, 2020 That's why I asked about removing the whole thing!:-)Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattWoking Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share Posted April 6, 2020 Resolved it.I did a bit of fiddling with the flap over the weekend and after some jiggling managed to get it off - had to push the silver flap down hard, then pulled it outa nd it turned. Managed to work out what the problem was too.Seems these petrol caps have a design flaw in that the wire which keeps it stuck the car when ou take it out, can push down and prevent you being able to turn the flap around. I basically just pulled it very tight which did something to lock it up in the mechanism and hence won't fall down preventing it from blocking the twisting mechanism.The joys of 7 ownership!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 6, 2020 Member Share Posted April 6, 2020 Well done.Thanks for the solution.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 I've cut and removed the retaining wire. I think its only for IVA - I didnt want the retained cap dangling on the paintwork. Ive had a not retained cap for 15 years and not lost it, Im sure Ill be OK with it not tied to the car my new cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 TomB ... that's the kiss of death for your cap now !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Got to be able to drive it first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 My 2008 aero filler doesn't have that retaining wire, and it wasn't a problem at IVA back then.Mind you, had Jon Vicker's courtesy BMW had such a wire, I wouldn't have put the cap on the roof at the filling station, and then driven off without it!JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted April 6, 2020 Leadership Team Share Posted April 6, 2020 The requirement for all new cars (I assume also for IVA) is that the fuel cap must either have a retaining "wire" or that it is not possible to remove the key without the cap in the locked position. Tom your old cap would be the latter.Im pretty sure this requirement has been in place for a lot of years.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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