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Removing locked fuel tank cap

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treeno
Crazy Courier



Joined: 26 Dec 2012
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PostPosted: 13:21 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Removing locked fuel tank cap Reply with quote
What's the best way to remove a locked fuel tank cap? The mechanism seems to have broken as my key will turn the barrel but the cap will not lift. I have removed the outer bolts and can lift the opposite side of the cap from the actual 'lock' part. I didn't want to continue levering it up in case I damaged the tank.

Don't care how, I just want it off so I can replace it. Everything I am reading is saying lube the lock and get the key to work etc., can't find what to do when the mechanism is broken completely. Could I lever it out of the tank without damaging beyond repair?

Cheers!
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bladeblaster
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 19 Jan 2015
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PostPosted: 13:32 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
you won't be able to lever it out without significant damage to the tank. A locksmith is your best bet, or carefully drilling the lock out yourself, if you can.
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CaNsA
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Joined: 02 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: 13:34 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
How old is the key?
They wear down... a freshly cut one might work
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bladeblaster
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PostPosted: 13:38 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
CaNsA wrote:
How old is the key?
They wear down... a freshly cut one might work


If it was a worn key then it wouldn't properly position the pins inside the barrel, and the lock wouldn't turn at all, at least that's what should happen with a worn key.

The fact that the barrel turns freely indicates that the barrel itself in knackerd.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 13:45 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bladeblaster wrote:
CaNsA wrote:
How old is the key?
They wear down... a freshly cut one might work


If it was a worn key then it wouldn't properly position the pins inside the barrel, and the lock wouldn't turn at all, at least that's what should happen with a worn key.

The fact that the barrel turns freely indicates that the barrel itself in knackerd.


I had a worn key that i could use to start the bike, leave the barrel in the "ignition" position and still remove the key while the bike was still running.
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treeno
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Joined: 26 Dec 2012
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PostPosted: 13:47 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
If I drilled the barrel out would that even release the lock if the mechanism is broken?

To my knowledge the actual lock bit (the bit that clips under the tank) is not fixed in the locked position as the tank cap closed when it was in the locked position which it shouldn't have done. I'm guessing it's spring loaded and I accidentally pressed down on it while I was in the middle of cleaning it all out and greasing it and it just popped into place.

As for the key it's a spare that has had little use.
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Taught2BCauti...
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Joined: 12 Jan 2012
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PostPosted: 14:29 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
It sounds like the lug has broken off the cylinder, so when you turn it, the lug isn't releasing the mechanism.

If you can remove the cylinder (sometimes you can lever it out when the key is in it) you should be able to remove the broken lug and operate the release mechanism with a screwdriver.

You might have trouble drilling it if it is spinning, so if you can work it out by looking at a similar one, you should be able to drill a hole above where the latch engages the rim of the tank, and lever it back to release it.
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bladeblaster
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Joined: 19 Jan 2015
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PostPosted: 14:29 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
CaNsA wrote:


I had a worn key that i could use to start the bike, leave the barrel in the "ignition" position and still remove the key while the bike was still running.


Yes worn keys will do that, but that's slightly different.

From what he has described he could simply use a screwdriver to tun the barrel.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 14:31 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bladeblaster wrote:
CaNsA wrote:


I had a worn key that i could use to start the bike, leave the barrel in the "ignition" position and still remove the key while the bike was still running.


Yes worn keys will do that, but that's slightly different.

From what he has described he could simply use a screwdriver to tun the barrel.

I really hope that you're not trying to say that it is impossible that a worn key could turn the barrel but not retract the latch.

A freshly cut key costs what... about £3?
Worth a try IMO.
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bladeblaster
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PostPosted: 14:37 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
CaNsA wrote:

I really hope that you're not trying to say that it is impossible that a worn key could turn the barrel but not retract the latch.

A freshly cut key costs what... about £3?
Worth a try IMO.


IF the lock is working properly then a worn key should not be able to turn the barrel in the first place.

He has already said that the key has had little use.

There are very few things that are "impossible" however a worn key in this instance is incredibly unlikely from the description given, and the type of lock in question.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 14:40 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bladeblaster wrote:
IF the lock is working properly then a worn key should not be able to turn the barrel in the first place.


But the lock isn't working properly, that's the subject of this thread...
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treeno
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Joined: 26 Dec 2012
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PostPosted: 14:42 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for your insight guys. This is called the brute force method...

My petrol cap is now a Sainsbury's bag until I replace it haha.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 14:45 - 28 Jan 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
treeno wrote:
Thanks for your insight guys. This is called the brute force method...

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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 10 years, 331 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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