Fuel Cap Won't Open

My fuel cap will not open. The key will turn and the cap pops up, but it won't release all the way when you go to press and open it up. This problem started with it just not wanting to come open some of the time, but now it just wont open at all. So the last few times Ive fueled up Ive had to take the tools with me to take the cap off. Ive tried to spray some 3 in 1 oil in it, and have tried some other lubes, but it just doesnt want to work again. The two prong things in the fuel cap that are supposed to retract, are not retracting for enough. Any advice from someone that has had the same issue. I owned a 04 vfr before this, and never had a problem? I thought about buying another cap but im sure that my key will not work in it, and Im not wanting to change out ignitions.

Loosen the 3 screws that hold it to the tank(w/ the cap unlocked), then shut the cap, then re-tighten the screws. I've had that happen on a couple bikes, and it may take a few tries to get it right. What you're doing is re-centering the cap in the hole, it shifts over time and causes the tabs to jam up in the hole.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Jul 9 2009, 12:43 PM, said:

Loosen the 3 screws that hold it to the tank(w/ the cap unlocked), then shut the cap, then re-tighten the screws. I've had that happen on a couple bikes, and it may take a few tries to get it right. What you're doing is re-centering the cap in the hole, it shifts over time and causes the tabs to jam up in the hole.
Here's a "copy/paste" from a fix I did a few weeks ago, and posted.
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. :cool:

In my case, oiling the inside of the cap cured the problem..