Severian

I can not remove the gas cap even after unlocking it.



It just spins, any suggestions on how to get the gas cap off?

Regards,
Severian

KuHL 951

Not sure about the Porsche type caps but on another car I've used a sliding hammer with the screw tip threaded into the lock to pull the entire tumbler out, the cap came right off. Are you sure the key is actually turning the lock? Did it used to work with the same key?

Severian

Thanks Steve for the suggestion.

Yes the locking gas cap was working fine until today.

It sounds like that may damage the lock cylinder and I'll have to rekey the lock or get a new cap.

But it doesn't seem I have a choice.

Thanks again...
Severian

KuHL 951

Yeah it will completely destroy the lock cylinder but the cap will still work, it just won't lock. I haven't used the locking feature on a gas cap in 20 years...maybe I live in a safer area or something. I always thought locking caps were a PIA for the exact reason you are seeing. Good luck and welcome to Rennlist. Sorry you had to have a problem for your 1st post.

V2Rocket

you can get a new locking cap at kragen with 2 keys for like $10. thats what i did cuz the PO used a radiator cap...

JimV8

You could use a blow torch. That will work for sure.

944Ross

This must have happened to my cap, because the PO removed the cylinder. See pic, it may help you understand what to do.

mclarenno9

One less-discussed failure modes for these caps is apparently what happened to mine...

During a long road trip wouldn't you know I nearly had to resort to drastic measures in order to refill (in a sideways driving rain nonetheless). Luckily I was able to force the cap off by pushing VERY hard inwards and turning (after 5 minutes of trying). The lock mechanism / pawl was/is fine, but when trying to loosen the cap it would ratchet almost like it does while tightening, just with quite a bit more effort and not with any consistency in the torque required.

I recently took the cap apart and found nothing blatantly amiss at first. Upon closer inspection I noticed the inner part of the metal assembly (with the 4 slots for pawl to engage in) and the black plastic topper were rotating inside the outer metal threaded part. They are all swaged together but I guess they became loose over time.

Looking even closer I noticed a small semicircular cutout on the OD of the plastic ring and what appeared to be a witness mark on the OD of the metal piece from where it had originally been peened to resist the rotation between the inner and outer halves of the assembly.

With a few decent hits with a small punch and hammer I was able to lock the halves together again. All is well. Hope this helps someone.