Cant Get My Gas Cap Open

First nice day in 2 weeks. Go out for a ride, notice im down to my last drop of fuel. Get to a gas station and I cant open my gas cap! Drove home, dumped a bunch of graphite lube in there....no go. I know this is a repost from someone else about a month or two ago, but I couldnt for the life of me find the post, sorry. Do I have to undo the whole assembly, or is there a trick? My key goes in there no problem, and it turns a fraction of a turn and wont go any farther.

Loosen all the Allen bolts & try again.

Mine did this once...for some reason the cap just starts to bind up. Try pushing down on the cap, and then turning the key to get it open.

Once you get it open you can re-align the cap on the tank. Look for the 3 or 4 bolts that secure the cap to the tank, loosen them up, and then snug them once the cap easily pops open.

Tried that, no go. I thought taking all those allen bolts out I could yank out the whole assembly and clean/lube it....guess not? It just feels like its the wrong key or something. Tried both keys also.

That's all you can do Andy, you need to loosen the screws and turn the key while they're loose. Make sure the key is in all the way, and try not to bend it...

Edit: the cap won't come out by simply removing the bolts, it'll still be locked. Gotta loosen/remove and then turn the key.

I guess its off to the shop. Took all those bolts out, moved it around a bunch and it wont open. The key MAY not be going in all the way. It's tough to tell from memory but it doesnt feel as if its going in there all the way. I reached down in there with a dental pick to see if something was in there but couldnt tell. Thanks for the ideas guys....it's off to Honda unfortunately.

WTF?!?

Did you try pushing down? The lock is probably just stuck against the rubber seal from lack of use?

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 12:53 PM, said:

WTF?!?

Did you try pushing down? The lock is probably just stuck against the rubber seal from lack of use?


Tried that. It seems that the entire assembly moves around freely. Nothing feels stuck. The more I mess with it the more I think that the key isnt going in all the way....but i have no idea why. Instead of Honda i'll probably just try the locksmith who's right down the block from me :blush:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 11:57 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 12:53 PM, said:

WTF?!?

Did you try pushing down? The lock is probably just stuck against the rubber seal from lack of use?


Tried that. It seems that the entire assembly moves around freely. Nothing feels stuck. The more I mess with it the more I think that the key isnt going in all the way....but i have no idea why. Instead of Honda i'll probably just try the locksmith who's right down the block from me :blush:


Have you had any issues prior to this? I know mine sticks a bit and they key doesn't turn back to the lock position when I close the cap. I hope this isn't next...

Could it have been tampered with?

Yes, the cap & ring assembly will move around with the bolts out. Your cap is now "unstuck" from the tank, but it appears the locking ears/tabs/doohickeys that retract when you turn the key are stuck on the ring. A small squirt of WD-40 to the 9:30 & 2:30 positions (when you sit on the bike) plus applying pressure to the cap(not the ring) multiple times should unstick it!

My VFR does it every now and then, also had the same problem with my F4i after I painted it and went to install the cap(same part on both bikes). They just move around over time and need to be fiddled with. Not using them makes them temperamental too.

[image: View Post]CrazyInNYC, on May 7 2009, 01:03 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 11:57 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 12:53 PM, said:

WTF?!?

Did you try pushing down? The lock is probably just stuck against the rubber seal from lack of use?


Tried that. It seems that the entire assembly moves around freely. Nothing feels stuck. The more I mess with it the more I think that the key isnt going in all the way....but i have no idea why. Instead of Honda i'll probably just try the locksmith who's right down the block from me :blush:


Have you had any issues prior to this? I know mine sticks a bit and they key doesn't turn back to the lock position when I close the cap. I hope this isn't next...

Could it have been tampered with?

No signs of being tampered with. I have it under a cover, and I have a tankbag that didnt appear moved at all. It's been sticking a little bit lately, but I keep it clean and lubed with graphite, but apparently it finally quit on me. I've tried pushing/pulling/wiggling/cursing and screaming now....off to the locksmith LOL Thanks again for the ideas guys!

Problem solved. Brought it to a locksmith. There was a tiny piece of metal jammed up in the bottom of the lock. Not sure where it came from but at least now its gone, and the lock functions fine. The locksmith did tell me to quit using the graphite lube. He said use WD40 since that particular lock is always exposed to moisture. Goes against what I always thought, but he's the boss :) Thanks again for the advice guys

Wow. Glad you got it fixed!

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 02:56 PM, said:

Wow. Glad you got it fixed!

Thanks. I just want to know where that little piece of metal came from. He said it doesnt look like part of the lock, so who knows.

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 03:01 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 02:56 PM, said:

Wow. Glad you got it fixed!

Thanks. I just want to know where that little piece of metal came from. He said it doesnt look like part of the lock, so who knows.

I put it in there, and I was naked.

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

Problem solved. Brought it to a locksmith. There was a tiny piece of metal jammed up in the bottom of the lock. Not sure where it came from but at least now its gone, and the lock functions fine. The locksmith did tell me to quit using the graphite lube. He said use WD40 since that particular lock is always exposed to moisture. Goes against what I always thought, but he's the boss :) Thanks again for the advice guys


Oh good, now I don't have to buy graphite lube.

Glad you got it sorted - wonder where the piece of metal came from? Maybe it was there from the factory and just wriggled into a naughty position...

I could've told you that abut the graphite lube (if you'd asked). AFAIK, it's a blind keyhole, so by sticking graphite in there, with time it's just going to fill the lock up with graphite spooge.
I've had my lock get a little sticky, and figured WD40 would be the way to go, because if any did somehow get in the tank, it's not going to do any harm. Also, then I don't have graphite on my key to get on my clothes or whatever.

Since we're on the topic, how about teflon lube? Or just plain petroleum jelly? Just asking...
ppm

[image: View Post]PolarBear, on May 7 2009, 05:13 PM, said:

Since we're on the topic, how about teflon lube? Or just plain petroleum jelly? Just asking...
ppm
..>
Good question. I'm going with what the lock guy said. Good ole WD40. I use a spoof of graphite lube on my car locks and house locks every few months and it works wonders. I guess the bike keyhole is different who knows.

My next thought was to use some of that K-Y Warming Sensations stuff.... :biggrin:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 05:45 PM, said:

My next thought was to use some of that K-Y Warming Sensations stuff.... :biggrin:

A Yankee buying KY in the south... OH boy!! :blink:




I can hear the banjos being tuned now...









:laugh:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 05:49 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 05:45 PM, said:

My next thought was to use some of that K-Y Warming Sensations stuff.... :biggrin:

A Yankee buying KY in the south... OH boy!! :blink:




I can hear the banjos being tuned now...


I'm not a Yankee according to my southern friends here....i'm a damn yankee. A DAMN yankee is a yankee who doesnt go back home :cool:






:laugh:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 06:32 PM, said:

I'm not a Yankee according to my southern friends here....i'm a damn yankee. A DAMN yankee is a yankee who doesnt go back home :cool:

Funny, I've been called that too!! :laugh:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/SEBSPEED2003/2008%20RIDES/Sebswelcome08003.jpg

My lock has been acting up when trying to close the last few days. I was wondering about a new cap that does not lock. is there such an animal out on the market or anyone know someone who makes one.

I am not concerned about someone stealing my fuel as i am parked behind miles of security patrols and fence at work everyday.

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 11:23 AM, said:

First nice day in 2 weeks. Go out for a ride, notice im down to my last drop of fuel. Get to a gas station and I cant open my gas cap! Drove home, dumped a bunch of graphite lube in there....no go. I know this is a repost from someone else about a month or two ago, but I couldnt for the life of me find the post, sorry. Do I have to undo the whole assembly, or is there a trick? My key goes in there no problem, and it turns a fraction of a turn and wont go any farther.

[image: View Post]jsalty, on May 8 2009, 10:03 PM, said:

My lock has been acting up when trying to close the last few days. I was wondering about a new cap that does not lock. is there such an animal out on the market or anyone know someone who makes one.

I am not concerned about someone stealing my fuel as i am parked behind miles of security patrols and fence at work everyday.

I think DutchInterceptor has one on his bike....not certain but I know it isn't stock.

[image: View Post]Woodlands Ed, on May 28 2009, 03:22 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 11:23 AM, said:

First nice day in 2 weeks. Go out for a ride, notice im down to my last drop of fuel. Get to a gas station and I cant open my gas cap! Drove home, dumped a bunch of graphite lube in there....no go. I know this is a repost from someone else about a month or two ago, but I couldnt for the life of me find the post, sorry. Do I have to undo the whole assembly, or is there a trick? My key goes in there no problem, and it turns a fraction of a turn and wont go any farther.

I have had the same problem. Have had to take the whole assemply apart in the past. Recently, I also added a bunch of graphite, and continued to work the key (gently). After a time, the key did actually go a lot farther than it had. I think that it just takes a degree of patience. I also routinely take a 10mm ( I think) T-wrench with me at all time in case I have to take apart at a remote petrol stop.

Good luck.

[image: View Post]jsalty, on May 8 2009, 11:03 PM, said:

My lock has been acting up when trying to close the last few days. I was wondering about a new cap that does not lock. is there such an animal out on the market or anyone know someone who makes one.

I am not concerned about someone stealing my fuel as i am parked behind miles of security patrols and fence at work everyday.

Just don't piss off someone you work with, no telling what they might put in your tank......... Monk

[image: View Post]Woodlands Ed, on May 28 2009, 04:26 PM, said:

I have had the same problem. Have had to take the whole assemply apart in the past. Recently, I also added a bunch of graphite, and continued to work the key (gently). After a time, the key did actually go a lot farther than it had. I think that it just takes a degree of patience. I also routinely take a 10mm ( I think) T-wrench with me at all time in case I have to take apart at a remote petrol stop.

Good luck.

It's a 5mm.

WD 40 repels moisture and soaks into the little nooks and crannies. Teflon tends to build up and collect dirt or metal fragments from usage or wear as it is very sticky. Use Teflon on stuff with seals as it dosent absorb and loosen grease like WD does.

So for prevention we all need to ride more and use more gas so we fill up our tanks more often? :wheel: :fing02:

[image: View Post]ccnaylor, on May 29 2009, 03:16 AM, said:

So for prevention we all need to ride more and use more gas so we fill up our tanks more often? :wheel: :fing02:

Sounds good to me! :biggrin:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 02:50 PM, said:

Problem solved. Brought it to a locksmith. There was a tiny piece of metal jammed up in the bottom of the lock. Not sure where it came from but at least now its gone, and the lock functions fine.


You think someone tried to pry it open to steal gas and broke a small piece of metal off in it?

Well guys..... My gas cap started sticking, and having read from here to re-adjust the gas cap plate/ring, I did that and it was still sticking. So I opened the cap put a paper towel over the filler hole and file/sanded the lock tabs that go in/out when the key is turned, on the end of each tab and the corners...... opens no problems at all..... just thought I'd pass it on.... By the way, before I started filing, I pushed the rubber as if I were closing the cap(but not)..... That gives me more room to file/sand.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 05:49 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on May 7 2009, 05:45 PM, said:

My next thought was to use some of that K-Y Warming Sensations stuff.... :biggrin:

A Yankee buying KY in the south... OH boy!! :blink:




I can hear the banjos being tuned now...









:laugh:

A popular T-shirt available in Helen, GA says:

"Paddle faster, I hear banjo music"

Does it look like this? :goofy:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/fkncrzy/RM2357Paddle-Faster-I-Hear-Banjos-P.jpg