Fuel filler flap

Amchlolor

Amchlolor

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That'll be that broken now then.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

No longer releases if you push it.
You need to lever a small key under it to release it which,as you can imagine,is wonderful for the paint.

Never mind,at least I'll get a loaner for the day. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
Mmm - not a great car you have there Bowfer.

The Saab 9-5s I had were equipped with an emergency fuel flap release (normally controlled by the central locking) toggle handle inside the boot area. I always thought that was an open acknowledgement of a /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/swear.gif idea.
 
You certainly don't seem to have had much luck with your car bowfer! Sorry to hear of this latest problem.
 
My A4's fuel filler flap didn't have the 'nice action' (copyright Alan Partridge) of the 'cassette-deck' style flap on my A3,but is there any need for it ?
I've always had my doubts as to the durability of it.and they've been proven to be correct.

Car makers can be a bit obssessed with 'nice touches' sometimes.
 
According to the Owner's Manual for my 3-door A3 the fuel tank flap CAN be released manually.

Open the tailgate

Prise open the small cover in the RH boot trim.

Release the tank flap by pulling the plastic cable.

I can only assume it is similar for a Sportback.
 
Cheers,but it's not jammed shut.
Just doesn't 'pop' open if you push it any more.
If you push it,it just goes further into the body.
Like I said,levering a small key into the gap around it pops it open,but that's a bit embarrassing at a garage.
Thank god for the 500+ miles tank range !
 
Had a look and cannot really see anything amiss.
None of the plastic catches appear to be broken and the metal pin that locks the flap appears to be ok as well.
God knows.
It's booked in now.
They must be as sick of seeing it as I am of putting it in.
 
Hey Bowfer, mine does this too every once in a while, its the robber boot covering the metal pin (LHS looking at it) - the boot gets stretched over somehow and stops the flap from pinging open -
 

I find this popping action quite annoying as every time I'm washing the car as I go over the fuel cap it pops out /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
I now definitely have the same problem - press the flap and it doesn't come open. Have to try to get my finger nails behind it to open it, very annoying.

Nothing wrong with the central locking pins that lock it, the prob is the sprung release mechanism to get the flap to pop out when you press it in.

Bowfer - did you get yours resolved? What did they do?

Looking at the mechanism (the rubber boot covering a sprung pin), it appears to be part of a plastic collar (held in by a couple of screws) around the actual petrol cap - presumably they can just replace this?

Anyone else having probs?
 
I think its an all electric latch, not mechanical.

I suspect the plunger is a switch, then the 'computer' opens the lock pin if the doors are unlocked.

If the switch is damp or a bad contact. it won't know you're pressing the flap in thus it won't withdraw the pin.
 
The lock pins are certainly electrical as they appear to work off the central locking - unlock the doors and the flap unlocks. Getting the flap to open is the issue!

The plunger looks like it is mechanical since when you have prised open the flap you can press the plunger in and out with your finger. The idea being when you press the flap it releases the plunger causing the flap to pop out a cm.
 
mine keeps on doing this, every time it happens I have to realign the rubber boot (After using a ccard to get in)
 
Yeah,it does seem to be the rubber boot over the plunger that is the problem.
I'm getting a whole new flap fitted next week,which could be taken as an indication that there is a modified version avaliable.
I can't see any other reason to fit a whole new flap. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/noidea.gif

(unless it's a 'placebo' and it'll come back with nothing more than a wash!) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
Thanks Bowfer, let us know how you get on and what information they give you about it if any. It seems to be a reasonably common prob.

I'd be particularly interested to hear whether it is just a replacement of the inside of the flap (i.e. the black plastic collar that has the plunger on it) or whether they also replace the actual painted flap which has the tyre pressures printed on the inside.

Thanks mate.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Bowfer, let us know how you get on and what information they give you about it if any. It seems to be a reasonably common prob.

I'd be particularly interested to hear whether it is just a replacement of the inside of the flap (i.e. the black plastic collar that has the plunger on it) or whether they also replace the actual painted flap which has the tyre pressures printed on the inside.

Thanks mate.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry,I know that already.
It's the whole flap,as they had to take the fact it needed painting into account before giving me a date for replacement.

In a way,I'm dreading it.
I assume they'll have to take the boot area to bits to fit the flap (I could be wrong),and I envisage rattles.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Thanks mate, I dread it too now!

Not only the chance of rattles from the boot area but also the paint finish on the flap in terms of turned flakes, lumps in the lacquer and colour match. My mirror had to be resprayed twice before I was happy with it.

Be interested to see how they paint it as you'll need the info on the inside that details tyre pressures etc, wonder if this is put on afterwards?

Does make you wonder whether the new flap will be a different design on the inside, perhaps a raised bit to make sure it makes contact with the plunger when it is pressed?

Keep us informed mate, we'll suffer collectively!
 
I'll take 'before and after' photos.
If there's any visible difference to the workings of it,I'll post them on here.
 
I've found that my filler cap latch makes a lot of noise when locking the car - ive also noticed when i was inspecting it the other week that if u have the flap open and lock the doors u see a pin shoot out but on mine you can move it up and down quite a lot with your finger - its kinda floppy!! is this normal?? or is it broken and related to the extra noise perhaps? I would expect the silver pin to be quite stiff and solid


steve
 
[ QUOTE ]
Check my pin last night, it is floppy too so presume that to be the norm

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a job for Viagra !
 
My car's back from getting it's flap replaced.
Absolutely no visible difference at all,other than a slightly squint tyre pressure sticker,so no poit posting pictures.
The only difference I can see is that the pin now has zero play.
It wobbled around before,which perhaps allowed grit in ?
It clicks in and out very precisely now.

Time will tell.
 
Thanks mate, it is on the list of about 7/8 things when mine goes in next, along with oil leak, creaky door sill rubbers, rattly exhaust, electrical problem with the lighting, seat creak etc....

Bizarre they have to replace the painted flap as well, must be all one unit.
 
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