bad things happen when outta gas

[TigerTrash]

OK need any help I can get.
Was out to fuel the german mistress tonight. I went and pulled on the fuel door release cable and ended up with about 18 inches of cable and a knob in my hand. ( And I didn't even yank that hard). So here is the question. How do I open the door to the fuel tank (as there is only about 1/10th of a tank left). and how do I replace the cable. In advance, my fellow pelicanites, all help is greatly appreciated.

[Joeaksa]

A pair of hemostats (those surgical instruments that "some people" used when smoking homemade things when eons younger) or a small screwdriver can be used to push the latch holding the door.

You should find the old cable stop either still resting in the cradle or sitting on the bottom of the fueling bay. Since you cannot see what you are doing, here is a picture of what to look for.



Looking at the latch from top



Looking at the latch from the left side

You should be able to see how with something small and thin you can get into the area and move the latch to where you can get the door open again and re-attach the cable. You might also try an icepick from the back side of the door. I would also put some duct or masking tape around the edge to protect the paint before trying to get this open.

Joe

[pwd72s]

Thanks Joe, for the pics. I just gave a long answer to the same post on Rennlist, trying to describe what was under the flap...suggested he make a J shaped tool to slide through the loop of the latch, then pull forward.

[Jorgeman]

I read somewhere--probably here--that one should carry about 18 inches of mono cord or trimmer cord to slide under the fuel door and pull towards the front of the car. Haven't had to try it yet but the cord is in my tool kit!

[Milu]

There might be less risk of damaging your paint if you use a piece of plastic strimmer wire or fishing line. Just insert, from bottom edge, push through and then pull from both sides. (every toolkit should have one next to the DME relay)

[pwd72s]

Plastic trimmer cord? Sure it would work! Simple & brilliant! Probably why I didn't think of it...

[TigerTrash]

my thanks to all who replied. It sounds like the best way is the trimmer string idea. I will post the results when I get home tonight and try it.

NOW, does any one know how to replace the cable if in fact I can get the door open.

[pwd72s]

That should explain itself to you once you get the flap open...the opener cable is held by a simple set-screw arrangement...

[TigerTrash]

My thanks again for everyone's help. I had to stop by the house during lunch today and after ten minutes of rooting through boxes(we just moved) to find the trimmer cord I cut about a 18" piece and tried to open the gas flap. WOW under 5 seconds to get it open.

Bad News:The cable snapped about a 1/2 inch from the set screw and can't be reused.
Good News: a new one is $7.95. I can't remember the last time I spent under $100.00 to fix something on the car.

FYI: everyone should keep a piece of this in their toolkit. I know I will from now on.

I will post pics of the new garage when I getta chance. 4 car garage with drains. lots of industrial shelving. SUPER bright. WOOHOO.

[Saffs]

Easier still, go to a music shop and buy a top E string for an electric guitar. Or, you could get a top E string for a "classical" guitar in nylon - but might need to buy a set for that. I've used guiar strings for all sorts of car applications fron tying exhausts up to filler flap opening.

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Plastic trimmer cord? Sure it would work! Simple & brilliant! Probably why I didn't think of it...

Ahhh, thank you Paul. I posted that little tip a few months ago, and it really does work, and won't hurt the paint.

And here's another little tip.....try doing it *before* your cable breaks. That way you'll remember the *feel* it takes to do it.
And be sure to keep a piece of trimmer line (0.065") in the glove box.

(See Paul, we guys from the SCWDP aren't that bad after all. )

[bdisco]

Got the new cable. Cable seems to be getting stuck with 3" to go. After taking out the cotter pin to see what was holding it up (HUGE MISTAKE). Three hours later we reinstalled the spring and cotter pin and cable still won't go through. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[T77911S]

german mistress, i like that one

[JohnJL]

Originally Posted by T77911S

german mistress, i like that one

We've all got at least one.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Trimmer cord, guitar wire...good lord, I have a simple piece of nylon string in the glovebox with finger-loops tied into each end that I use. It's simpler than using, say, a length of neural fiber from an unborn ocelot, or perhaps a length of string-theory equation. Simplicate, people, simplicate.

[bdisco]

Got the new cable. Cable seems to be getting stuck with 3" to go. After taking out the cotter pin to see what was holding it up (HUGE MISTAKE)*. Three hours later we reinstalled the spring and cotter pin and cable still won't go through. Your help is greatly appreciated.

So any ideas what prevents the cable from going all the way through? Hard to look cool when you pull up to the pumps and have to use a shoe lace to open your gas flap.

*Fuel door lock - sticky cable fix

[tcar]

I've used dental floss.

[john walker's workshop]

the plastic zig zag tube makes it hard to get the cable through. bend a slight angle in the leading end and keep twisting as you push. you ain't the only one.

[JFairman]

Dental Floss is a good thing to keep in the car.
Ever been out to dinner and got something stuck in your teeth and you can't get it out.. Really sucks.

With this gas cap door thing a roll of it should be in with the spare relays and other gadgets some people stash in the car somewhwere.

[richard003@wind]

Follow Johns advise, That is what worked for me.