6 replies to this topic

[Tornado99]

Went to fill up with gas/petrol today....new locking tank cap seemed a bit stiff, applying a few extra ft-lbs per second per second and the key snapped off inside the lock! Perhaps I hadn't fully inserted it prior to trying to turn key??

 

No way to remove the broken end on site nor remove the cap to put fuel in....so I drove it home to get my tools out. 

Ultimately fiddled a small flat blade screw drive to slowly lever out the key remains. Some of the surrounding metal at the key opening was bent inwards so carefully fetteled it out out straight again. Luckily I had a spare key for the cap and got back out on the road to fill up. 

 

First stop was to an auto shop to have fresh spare key made. 

 

This cap is new, stainless outer shell with plastic innards, non-vented style. It is a bit of a force to fit & lock into place. Any tips on getting it to work more smoothly?

 

[Ethel]

Work the lock with it off the tank. If it's much freer it could be the seal is putting excess pressure on the mechanism. You might be able to make it a tad less snug  by locking it off the tank and levering (or file if plastic) the locking tangs VERY slightly, easy to go too far & make it leak.

[mab01uk]

I have period Waso locking petrol caps (twin tanks) and the key gets stiff to turn unless you lubricate the lock barrels regularly with 3 in 1 oil or WD-40.

I think the petrol vapour fumes rising from the tank below dries out the lock of lubricant over time.

Edited by mab01uk, 18 February 2021 - 01:06 PM.

[Ben_O]

First off, is the lock operating smoothly off of the filler neck?

 

I have had replacement fuel caps act like how you have described and solved the issue by carefully filing the edge of the return in the filler neck itself to allow the cap mechanism to turn onto it easier.

If you do go thay route, obviously prevent the filings from going into the fuel.

Cheers

Ben

[Tornado99]

I have period Waso locking petrol caps (twin tanks) and the key gets stiff to turn unless you lubricate the lock barrels regularly with 3 in 1 oil or WD-40.
I think the petrol vapour fumes rising from the tank below dries out the lock of lubricant over time.

Ive put graphite lock ease spray in the cylinder the day I got the cap, only a few weeks ago.
Seems reasonably smooth operating when off tank. So likely needs a bit of filing on the ear engagement points.

[Ethel]

If it does get iffy again, push the cap down hard to try and take some of the pressure off the lugs so the key has less to turn against.

[Tornado99]

Must say, ive never liked the idea of locking caps. When I was a kid on a trip to England in the 1970's, we were in a car line up at a filling station, during a fuel shortage, waiting our turn. When we were one car away from pump, some women in front was having lots of trouble removing her car locked cap. After several minutes trying, with cars in other pump lines streaming past, the station attendant came out and put out a sign "Pumps closed, no petrol".
Never seen my Dad so pissed!

Living in Canada, I've never heard of people ha ve fuel theft on cars. I did have a VW Rabbit/Golf with external fuel cap in the '80s and did have someone steal the cap once. So went to a locking type for a while.
On the Mini I put the lockable onto solve a leak from a Monza type with brass sleeve. Do like that added safety factor from preventing locking cap coming off with an accident.