Fuel cover stuck shut

BillGreen

BillGreen

New Member
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17
Tried to fill up the other day but the filler cover refused to open. I just about managed to get home running on fumes and now after trying all suggestions, I'm completely stuck and can't even get it to a dealership. Tried the pull cord, WD40, credit cards down the gap, nothing seems to work.
Anyone got any ideas that might work???
It's a 2011 GranTurismo btw.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,130
Try having someone push the flap in while you pull the cord, maybe it’s hung up on the latch.
 
BillGreen

BillGreen

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17
Thanks for that but I'd already read that somewhere but no joy on that either. I can't hear any solenoid type sound when I press the button so there could be an electrical issue but in any case, isn't that why they have the emergency pull cord opener?? I've only filled up two or three times since I've had the car and no issues then. Just hope it's not a can opener job!
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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7,792
I have jammed the filler cap strap in mine a couple of times. Assuming it is not that, can you pull the cord and gently prise it up? It may be releasing but jammed somehow.
 
BillGreen

BillGreen

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17
No it's not jammed like that. The cover is quite free and loose and can be depressed from the edges and it bounces back. I can hear a good click when pulling the cord but that's about it. It just won't spring open. Tried prising it slightly while pulling the cord, still nothing. I've only just got back in so I'll go and give it a few more tries.
Silly question, which way does it open?? Forward or backwards so I can prise the right way.
ie is the hinge towards the front of the car??
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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48,843
Forwards I think. Maybe you're going to have to get aggressive with it and pay the bill?

C
 
BillGreen

BillGreen

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17
May be but not before I've tried everything. I think the covers only plastic and would be a lot cheaper to replace than getting someone out.
Maybe the can opener isn't that much of a bad idea!
 
Lavazza

Lavazza

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1,060
Tried using a credit card?

...and maybe spray in a bit of WD40.
(Edit, just seen post #1 - good luck!)

Happy to take any pics of the mechanism if that helps you.
 
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Lavazza

Lavazza

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1,060
Hold tight, just looked at mine, I have a plan!!!

Cut an old credit card down to a wedge that's about 15mm at the point and slot it in...
(The opening side is at the back, if you want more pics, just say...I'm certain it can be done).575075750857509
 
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BillGreen

BillGreen

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Messages
17
The problem's sorted now or kind of. It eventually opened after a whole load of pulling and prising with knife wrapped with masking tape. The plastic catch was binding and grating quite badly so I gave it a good clean squirted some Mr Sheen polish on it then pushed it in and out until it felt easier. Fantastic I thought, then I accidentally knocked it and the cover snapped shut and I was back to square one. Pulling the cord still didn't feel right or open and I could still hear the scraping & grating again.

I eventually opened it a second time and removed the whole solenoid and latch assembly. I couldn't check the solenoid single handed, I'll have to do that tomorrow but the pull cord release (or none release) is simply down to a poor design. The cord doesn't pull along the same axis as the latch and because of this, it causes a twisting moment on the latch causing the plastic to bind against itself and no amount of lubrication will stop that happening. Then add into the equation, the pull cord actually passes over and rubs on some metalwork just above where it comes out and in my case had caused the cord to be almost worn through with the repeated pulling.

For now it's staying open until I can get some fuel in then I'll modify it so it actually works. Design engineers? rubbish!!
 
BillGreen

BillGreen

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17
Wow Thanks for all that even though I've managed it. If you undo those three allen screws you can pull the whole assembly out and see exactly what I mean. Pushing the white plastic plunger in and out from the filler side feels fine but pull the cord and it will stick and bind.
Thanks again.
Mines the same colour btw
 
Lavazza

Lavazza

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1,060
No problem, it's what forums like this are about - trying to help each other out, and sharing the fun times too.
 
T

TimR

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Messages
2,731
My 4200 did the same thing when the alternator was gone bad !
Solenoid sounded right but no dice...
 
BillGreen

BillGreen

New Member
Messages
17
Just a bit of a follow up on this. Having sorted out the emergency release problem, I took a look at why the electrical side wasn't working.
Pressing the button on the dash did nothing at the business end other than an almost inaudible tick sound. A check with a meter showed there was an incredibly short 12 volt pulse that was certainly not long enough to do anything.

It turned out that what I thought would have been a solenoid, was in fact a small geared motor arrangement where something internal had gone a bit tight. The 12 volt feed was obviously through some kind of limiter that was detecting the jammed motor and immediately cutting out. A liberal dose of WD40 and a good hard shove on the actuator and I could hear the gears starting to spin. I did that a few more times until it felt quite free, a few more squirts of WD40 for good measure the thing was as good as new. Total time for the fix was about 15 minutes and I think I probably saved myself a small fortune as I reckon most garages would simply replace the entire unit.

It's worth remembering this one especially if like mine the car spends most of it's time parked up in the garage. I only have 21k on the clock so it's nothing to do with age or wear.
 
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