Petrol Cap Stuck On

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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henrycrun
Joined: Wed 18 Apr, 2007 19:48
Posts: 522

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Ely

Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by henrycrun »

Wifey (currently 60 miles away and out of petrol !) has just called to say that the (original BMW) fuel cap won't unlock with the key.

Before I destroy it with brute force and ignorance, has anyone experienced this before ?
Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
Posts: 915

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Redditch
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Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by Vic-Z3 »

Mine has no key ........
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peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by peter2b »

my z3 doesn't have a key has she turned off the ignition and removed the key?
peter2b
henrycrun
Joined: Wed 18 Apr, 2007 19:48
Posts: 522

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Ely

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by henrycrun »

No it's the basic model without the locking flap. The BMW fuel cap uses the ignition key to lock/release.

If someone could remove theirs and tell me which side the locking tab is located (so I know where to start drilling) that would be great.
Last edited by henrycrun on Fri 27 May, 2016 21:28, edited 1 time in total.
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Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by Robert T »

There are two types of petrol cap, locking and non-locking. On pre-facelift cars with a locking cap, the flap does not lock. On facelift cars with a non-locking cap, the flap locks (with the central locking IIRC).

I was looking for some wisdom on here as there have been a couple of problems with filler caps reported. One was seized and the key wouldn't turn to unlock and the other wouldn't lock, with the key just spinning, sadly neither posted back to say how they solved the problem, sorry.

The only thing I can suggest is that you need to hold the cap still with one hand whilst you turn the key with the other.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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srichards
Joined: Sun 11 Oct, 2015 08:24
Posts: 61

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by srichards »

Mine stuck when I first had the car. It's the same with the free flap but you need the key for the locking cap. I just rotated the key in the lock back and forth and rotated the cap til it gave in and opened. I actually wonder whether it was unlocked and I locked it and that's why it wouldn't come off. It seems to have a funny position where it doesn't quite lock properly but it feels like it might have so when you go to unlock it you can lock it. I had no idea which way undoes it as I never checked the owner manual. It was either the first or second time I filled up that I had a fight with it.

Failing that some graphite lock lubricant squirted in might make it undo if the innards are stiff.

I've had all sorts of issues with filler caps and petrol flaps over the years. They all get stuck at some point once the car is over 10.
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by bertiejaffa »

My M uses the key - I find you have to hold the cap with one hand and turn the key with the other, otherwise the cap will just rotate with the key. Once you feel the lock disengage then the cap rotates a further half a turn to come off.

The same process is required in reverse to put the cap back on and lock it again
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henrycrun
Joined: Wed 18 Apr, 2007 19:48
Posts: 522

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Ely

Re: Petrol Cap Stuck On

Post by henrycrun »

SUCCESS !

The broken cap came off fairly easily with the aid of a wrecking bar (no drilling required)
I just needed to make sure that the tool was placed to lever under the metal collar rather than the cosmetic plastic cover.
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