Stuck fuel cap!!

[ronsrecord]

I don't want to bend anymore keys on this job! Petrol cap has been very stiff for ages, but always eventually managed to get it off. Now it's truly stuck - and I've tried everything to clean it up and loosen it. I have a new cap ready to go in - once I can get the old one off. Is it a simple case of sticking a screwdriver in and turning? Or is there some secret method?

[Plasticman]

when you push the key in,can you feel it moving the lock plates as it goes in
mm

[ronsrecord]

Hi mm - yes, but any turn is just met with complete resistance.

[Jetfitzmaurice]

my van was like this when I bought it, it had been stood for 3 years and I guess just seized up. i kept squirting a good penetrating lubricant in the keyhole for about 3 days, literally until it was running out, and eventually it freed off

[ronsrecord]

Yes - I've tried that, but no luck!

[Oldiebut goodie]

It begs the question as to why you didn't lubricate the mechanism previously when it was becoming difficult to undo!

[marlinowner]

If you really don't care about ruining the old cap, then yes a screwdriver will do it - at least it did for me.

[ronsrecord]

It begs the question as to why you didn't lubricate the mechanism previously when it was becoming difficult to undo!

I did regularly give it a good lube - but it's probably down to lack of use - I'm on LPG.

[ronsrecord]

Thanks marlinowner

[CovKid]

Plenty of Gt58 and patience. Had same probs with mine.

[ronsrecord]

Fast running out of patience, Ralph!

[ronsrecord]

Penetrating, penetrating, penetrating......... screwdriver at the ready!

[Oldiebut goodie]

Blowtorch!!!!!!

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Not really.

[ronsrecord]

[CovKid]

Problem you've got is you can't really get the lube where you need it to be with the cap on. You may have to munch through the plastic of the cap first and spray behind it. Obviously that means a new petrol cap but at least you'd get it off. Would come over but its impossible to park at yours.