Fuel Cap Removal - Advice Please!!

[garycox]

So - my friend has lost the keys to the Escort, as in actually lost, so they won't turn up again (went for a long walk with them and came back without them, tried retracing steps but not even sure where he went).

 

We've spares for the doors and ignition, but not the locking fuel cap. It's an aftermarket one with a 'normal' key, not the silly Ford one.

 

Err... what do we do now?!

 

[nigel bickle]

Hammer a screwdriver into the lock, twist hard (with adjustables if necessary)

 

You may just shear the lock out -in which case it'll still work -just not lock.

 

Or you may need to replace.

 

No real biggie

[messerschmitt owner]

Drive it to the local car thief. Or the local locksmith

 

Having bought a replacement along the way, of course.

[philibusmo]

Flat blade screw driver and a hammer.

[Junkman]

Blowtorch.

[tooSavvy]

Blowtorch.

 

.... been practicing on a Polonez, eh?

 

TS

[Spiny Norman]

Blowtorch.

 

In my foolish youth, in a moment of total brain-fag that still makes me cringe some 30 years later, I once got as far as opening a Zippo lighter and putting my thumb on the wheel, ready to give it a flick, in order to to free up a frozen fuel filler cap.

 

In a petrol station.....

[Bren]

A large headed flat screwdriver does the trick.

[mouseflakes]

In a petrol station.....

Lol! ^ Had you been using your mobile phone at the time, you can be sure someone would have shouted "Switch your phone of before you do that! Didn't you see the sign!?"

[beko1987]

I once had to jump back in the zx in the esso at half 6 in winter, pull up the road, heat the key loads and defrost the fuel cap lock, get it moving then back to the petrol station and fill up!

 

I nearly did it by the pump too!

[Taff]

I've drilled one in the past, not the end of the world

[wackywacerwill]

Bigish (large as you can fit) screw down the center of the key hole with a penny washer on it. Then use a spanner as a lever behind and you can often pull the whole barrel out letting you lock/unlock with a screwdriver.

 

Oh my misspent youth.

[Grundig]

Hammer a slightly bigger fuel cap over it 

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Before you get destructive, it's an aftermarket cap, probably has a simple lock. Try picking it, it's easy and you've nothing to lose. All you need is something like an electrical screwdriver small enough to insert into the lock and a larger screwdriver to turn the barrel with. 

 

Insert the smaller screwdriver into the lock and feel about for the pins. Now use the larger screwdriver to put pressure on the barrel (in the same direction you'd turn the key) while manipulating the pins with the smaller one. If all goes well you'll feel the pins 'stick' one by one until the barrel turns. 

 

Crap instructions, but give it a go. 

[MrDuke]

Before you get destructive, it's an aftermarket cap, probably has a simple lock. Try picking it, it's easy and you've nothing to lose. All you need is something like an electrical screwdriver small enough to insert into the lock and a larger screwdriver to turn the barrel with. 

 

Insert the smaller screwdriver into the lock and feel about for the pins. Now use the larger screwdriver to put pressure on the barrel (in the same direction you'd turn the key) while manipulating the pins with the smaller one. If all goes well you'll feel the pins 'stick' one by one until the barrel turns. 

 

Crap instructions, but give it a go. 

 

 

Good advice - plus, if you do manage to pick it easily, you can start helping out other car owners by removing their fuel caps while they're busy/out/asleep and checking* their fuel for, um, impurities.

[Des]

Buy a very small funnel and refuel via the keyhole.

[Jim Bell]

Fill it up via the carb.

[Parky]

Cut a hole in the side of the tank (1) Weld a piece of pipe in place (2) that exits behind the number plate. attach a b&q door hinge to the plate (3) and and BINGO! 1960's style refuelling! (4)

 

(1) may cause explosion

(2) will cause explosion

(3) will look shit

(4) lies

[Junkman]

Before you get destructive, it's an aftermarket cap, probably has a simple lock. Try picking it, it's easy and you've nothing to lose. All you need is something like an electrical screwdriver small enough to insert into the lock and a larger screwdriver to turn the barrel with. 

 

Insert the smaller screwdriver into the lock and feel about for the pins. Now use the larger screwdriver to put pressure on the barrel (in the same direction you'd turn the key) while manipulating the pins with the smaller one. If all goes well you'll feel the pins 'stick' one by one until the barrel turns. 

 

Crap instructions, but give it a go. 

 

One way to make P6 ownership affordable.

[brickwall]

Try other keys in it and then gently turn and  pull the key out at the same time. keep doing this and if it's a simple lock it may well turn enough to get the latch free of the stopper.

 

sometimes this gets you half way there at least

[Junkman]

Half way there is almost good.

[DSdriver]

I couldn't open the fuel cap on the first Volvo I owned the first time I needed fuel, didn't realise you had to unscrew it rather than just give it the normal quarter turn. Fortunately I had just enough petrol left to get back to the dealership as there was no Autoshite stupid questions thread in those days.

Not very helpful in solving your predicament but you can at least laugh at my stupidity.

[lisbon_road]

I once fitted a locking petrol cap to my Astra after having taken a load of spares off a scrap one.  Drove to Norwich.

 

Didn't take the key.

 

I managed to fill the tank by taking out the petrol pump and pouring in one gallon at a time from a can.  I didn't do this operation in the petrol station as I thought they might not like it.  After all, I didn't like it much myself.  Got home though.

 

(sorry, also a singularly unhelpful post).

[garycox]

Thanks for all the advice chaps!

 

Was gonna take a hammer and screwdriver to this tomorrow but - Panic over!!

 

Found a key to an old filing cabinet that works!!

 

[brickwall]

Grand!

[PhilA]

Ah, the joys of shite.

 

Andy Frost came by my house to pick up some FD bits, and showed my old man that it was fairly easy to get into my Victor with the key for his toolbox on his keyring that he brought along with him

 

Safe as houses

 

 

--Phil

[Jim Bell]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was like the worst episode of the Saw series. But for an old car.

[TRW]

Nice to see Ford security up to its usual world beating standard. I bet the files in the cabinet were more secure than the pez in the tank!

 

At least  the cap was removed easily.

[garycox]

It's shiter than that silver one.

 

[mercedade]

Ah, the joys of shite.

 

Andy Frost came by my house to pick up some FD bits, and showed my old man that it was fairly easy to get into my Victor with the key for his toolbox on his keyring that he brought along with him

 

Safe as houses

 

 

--Phil

The central locking in my 827 was so sensitive, I could unlock it with a 20p piece. I discovered this after attempting to unlock it with my front door key (pished) having walked back from the pub and deciding I needed to listen to whatever CD was inside.

 

Cue much excitement and trying of keys before realising that all that needed to happen was nudging the slot from 12 o'clock to 11.59.

 

Then never being able to sleep again due to constant "IT'S BEEN THIEVED" fear.