Jammed filler next on Audi, ever seen this ?

[Deschodt]

Wife's car wouldn't take gas... This "thing" appears to be a rubber valve of sorts behind the metal flap that moves out of the way when you insert a gas nozzle...
Seems attached to something anyway, didn't have long and thin enough pliers to attempt extraction. I pushed it in and filled up OK... No OBD trigger (yet) as the gas cap is still sealing all this...

You guys even seen something like that ? I wonder if it would be covered under "emissions" by manufacturers... 8y old car....

[Dixie]

From Google...
Dear customer, I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with the fuel inhibitor in your Audi Q7. The fuel inhibitor is a device that prevents a hose or foreign object from being inserted into the fuel tank to prevent theft or sabotage. Normally, the inhibitor opens when the petrol pump is inserted, but sometimes it can get stuck and prevent refuelling.
Simply put, there are some possible solutions to this problem:
You can try using an anti-seize product such as WD40 to lubricate the inhibitor cylinder and make it easier to open. Apply a little product and wait a few minutes for it to take effect, then try inserting the dispenser again.
You can try pressing lightly on the inhibitor with a screwdriver or spanner to release it. Be careful not to damage the device or the reservoir with sharp or pointed objects.
You can try to disassemble the jammer and clean it or replace it with a new one. To do this, you will need to access the fuel tank from underneath the car and disconnect the cables and hoses leading to the jammer. You may need special tools and technical knowledge to perform this operation, so let me know if you have any questions

[Dixie]

You may want to inquire with your dealer to see if a TSB exists for this issue.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by capt. Carrera

you may want to inquire with your dealer to see if a tsb exists for this issue.

tsb??

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Technical Service Bulletin

[pwd72s]

Could it be the remnants of an attempted syphoning?

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

^^^ Technical Service Bulletin

Yes Based on Google results it's a rather common issue

[Deschodt]

Thank you Captain! Your Google-fu is clearly better than mine because I never saw that reply. Since that is a response to someone else's issue without my werid pic, I wonder if the "fuel inhibitor" is actually the metal door (that is there) or indeed that rubber thingie that is behind the metal door... It really looks like some old attempt at filling up with a gas can or siphoning that dropped a filter and trapped it there... I checked my neighbor's Q5 (different model admittedly) and the fuel inhibitor is a sprung plastic door (vs the metal one on wife's car) and no such rubber thingie... I am gonna try to remove it - long pliers arriving today - I'm not convinced it should be here...

PS: the common issue I saw was a diesel blocker thingie, this is a 3.0T gas (sorry I didnt mention that)

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

It really looks like some old attempt at filling up with a gas can or siphoning that dropped a filter and trapped it there...

If it was me, I'd grab it with a big pair of channel locks and yank. Then, after it was completely FUBAR, I'd take it to a garage. Then to a body shop to fix all the scratches I inflicted.
... So don't do what I'd do. That's my point. Haha

[pwd72s]

Since you said it was your wife's car, I suspected a failed syphoning attempt. You might ask her where she parked the car that would give others access.

Good luck with the pliers, but it looks to me like the little black flap was bent backwards. It may entail replacing the entire unit. Comprehensive insurance should cover the cost. Did you check with a dealership?

[stevej37]

That's the 'sudden unintended acceleration valve' that keeps the car from going thru your garage.....don't remove it.

[Deschodt]

I was not able to remove it. I pushed it upwards when I "rescued" her, and filled the car.. It has not come back down... As you said the metal flap is a little bent too (presumably from catching that filter) so yeah it's damaged but no consequences so far - as long as we can fill up there appears to be no sensors checking on that tab so all good... I figure even if it's a foreign object, it is well jammed there, isn't blocking fillup anymore - now she knows to push it up and has a long tool just in case, and it's too small to prevent a fuel pump screen from getting gas thru if it fell in... If it pops back down I will snatch it. Her car is on its last 2 years with us and value getting down to "auction" trade-in so we're just maximizing what's left of its life span and not spending on it if possible.. (I have to say the Q7 3.0T has been a most excellent vehicle, way faster and sportier than you'd think for a 7 seater and pretty damn reliable)