Brian B

I went to get gas tonight and my gas cap seems to have given up the ghost while it is still on the car. How do I get it off? The red part of the cap just spins in both directions regardless of whether the key is in it or not.

Since I have almost no gas in the tank, I now have the world's largest paperweight...


Thanks!

Alan

Well - I'd ensure it is unlocked (anti-clockwise on the key) & whack it a few times with a rubber mallet - the locking pawl is designed to fail safe - as in unlocked - and has a helper spring to ensure it does. It must be broken in an unusual way if the key doesnt force it out to lock... but the spring should still help make it work. Whacking it is to make it spring out & engage.

If this doesn't work out you will need to go to destructive methods. Drill a small hole in the top of the red cap approx 3/8" in from thre outside edge & hold in a short screw or nail until it bottoms out. Tirn the red parts until it angages in the ridges on the white part -see photo. If it locks sufficiently to unscrew - good - if not install a bigger nail with a flat end (cut off) This will not damage the gas filler and may not be too obtrusive if you are lucky.

The pictures will give you an idea of what you are dealing with - the white part of the cap is what seals the gas filler tube - the red section rotates around it depending only on the lock in the middle. You can see the pawl (metallic on mine as a retrofit) and how it will engage into the teeth in the white parts TO UNLOCK. Locked is withdrawn inward - allowing free rotation - as with yours. The screw/nail provided an alternate means to lock the red & white parts together.

Alan

Brian B

Thanks, Alan.

I got it off. Before I took the drill to it, I figured I would start at the beginning and try cleaning/lubing the lock. Whn I filled up the cylinder with oil, it must have loosened some gunk and the key engaged the inner cap and off she came. I guess I need to make sure I keep it lubed and clean from now on.

Thanks again!

BB