Tiger Trash

OK need any help I can get.
Was out to fuel the german mistress tonight. I went and pulled on the fuel door release cable and ended up with about 18 inches of cable and a **** in my hand. ( And I didn't even yank that hard). So here is the question. How do I open the door to the fuel tank (as there is only about 1/10th of a tank left). and how do I replace the cable. In advance, my fellow rennlisters, all help is greatly appreciated

pwd72s

This is another of those times I wish I had a digital camera, and knew how to post pics. My hope is that someone can, showing you a pic of their open gas filler flap, with special focus to the latch. By words & description, I'm going to try to give you X ray vision through your closed flap... Remember the old trick of using a hooked coat hanger to open a door when you lock the keys in your car? I think the same trick could work here. The "latch" that keeps your lid down is a loop of metal, about 1/4" wide. There is enough space to wiggle a hook through it, then by pulling this wire hook through the loop and pulling forward, you can release the cap by pulling towards the front of the car. But, IMHO, it would need a fairly unbending tool to do this, something stronger than mere coat hanger wire. To fish for this loop in the latch that can be pulled? Imagine it to be 1/2" down from the lid level, 1 1/4" from the rearmost point of the flap, and about 2" from the bottom of the flap hole, going towards the side of the car. These measurements taken from a 1972 911, but I don't see them changing much until after 1989. Using a pipe cleaner as a template, and playing with my car, I would think a very stiff wire bent in a "J" shape could fish into the catch. Upper small part of the J...1/8" tops..all you need is enough to hook the inward edge of the release. Bottom of the J, 5/8 to 3/4" Then a rightward bent handle piece about 3" above the bottom of
the J. 90 degree bends should work on all. First, point the bottom of the J towards the front of the car, slip it though the flap gap on the lower edge of the flap. Then try to shove the small part of the J through the latch by moving the long part of the J horizontal and pushing towards the center of the car. If you can get the small part of the J through the loop made by the latch? (a lot of luck and going by feel here) Then a direct pull toward the front of the car should open the flap. Re-reading this, I have trouble understanding it, but can't think of a way to describe it better. I just hope somebody can post a pic...sure would be clearer then. Regardless, hope this is of some help. If all else fails? Prybar, then $$$ at a body shop.

pwd72s

Tiger trash? Just in case you check here first..go to Pelican. One of the guys there just gave a simple & easy solution that should work. A 18" length of nylon grass trimmer cord..run a loop of it under the gas cap..from the rear towards the front...the cord should hook on the release catch...and bingo..you got gas. Simple & easy...probably why I didn't think of it. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Chris Martin

I did the same thing a while back, at the gas station with the tank light on. I used some mechanics wire to grab the latch, you can almost see it if you look real close. Installing the new cable is easy, just make sure you have the clamping nut for the end. You can order one with the cable if your is lost.