BPG_Austin

I haven't been driving my S4 much these days but do start it once a month. I was nearly out of gas, wanted to take a drive and fill her up. No start. she'd fire but wouldn't stay running. I foolishly thought I had enough gas and kept cranking her over. I repeated this a few times but no start! I finally gave up and got some gas. When I attempted to open the gas cap it would not budge. It'll spin clockwise (freewheel) but Nothing when I try to unscrew it. I tried locking/unlocking the cap key with no results, so its not locked.
Drained most of the gas out the bottom via the line going to the fuel pump. There's still a little gas in there but it didn't shoot out the hose as if it were highly pressurized. Anyone know why I can't open my cas cap??
This is a weird one for me..

Charley B

I've had 'em pull a vacumn when running out of gas but never so bad I couldn't remove the cap. I guess I would pull up the carpeting on the right side of the the hatch area, lift off the 4 inch round black rubber piece, and there is a cap on the top of the gas tank that will allow you to vent the tank.

neilh

If it spins ( freewheels) the rachet in the cap is shot. I had the same problem, and had to drill a hole in the cap, screw in a self tapping screw, and then it locked and I could remove it. I can't get a picture tonight, but if you need to see exactly where to drill, respond and i'll add it tomorrow.

BPG_Austin

Thanks for the replies. Charley, I'll vent out the tank via the top hose, thanks for the tip. Much easier than draining the rest of the tank.
Neil, I didn't know my cap was shot, dang! It only freewheels in the clockwise direction. completely locked in CCW. Just want to make sure I understand your post before I drill. Are you saying it only has to freewheel in one direction to be bad?
I would appreciate a description of the drill location so I can feel confident doing the procedure.

jpitman2

If you have drained some out the bottom, there is no vacuum or pressure in the tank surely?
jp 83 Euro S AT 53k

polecat702

Try unlocking it with the key.

neilh

Yes, locks fine, freewheels in one direction. The screw in my photo will lock the cap to the inside part, and let you remove it and reuse it! The other hole you see will also do it, but not consistently. BTW, if it is a bad cap - good luck trying to find a replacement :-)

BPG_Austin

No vacuum left in the tank, I've drained from the top and bottom now. I'm going to dig up my spare key and try that just for the heck of it before drilling the cap. Neil, thanks for the picture. Really hope I don't have to drill the cap but I'm running out of options... Appreciate the help RL.

Ben