WTF!!!!! Gas tank won't open

[Jonathan]

I get to the gas station today almost bone dry.  I put my key in and turn it, the lid doesn't open.  What the hell I mutter.  I kept trying and trying but it would not open.  I punched it, jiggled it etc. but nothing worked.

I barley made it home!  My bike died from gas starvation 2 blocks from my house.  I had to push it the rest of the way.

I think something is jammed, the release latch just won't activate.  What happens if I take out those screws (look like an allenkey would do it) that are around the latch?  Can I at least get some gas in that way or take the latch off and see what's wrong?

[QWKDTSN]

You can take out the screws but you still won't be able to get the cap off, as the center piece is still locked on.  Someone else posted this on another forum with a different bike (Ducati) and the options are pretty slim.  I don't think there's any way you can get gas in until you get the cap open.  I would just keep trying everything, and if you can't get it, have a mobile locksmith come by...  Here's one idea.

"FINALLY!  I just got it unstuck!

I had to soak it with some "Break-Free CLP" gun cleaning solvent... then used a dental pick to scratch around in the keyhole, bang on it a few times and it came open.

I disassembled the entire lock, lubed everything and now it works fine... it looks like some soap got down in the keyhole and gunked things up?"

from: http://www.sportbikes.com/wwwthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Ducati&Number=478425&Forum=All_Forums&Words=stuck%20gas%20cap&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1week&Main=478425&Search=true#Post478425

[Jared]

Try pressing down on the cap as you turn the key back and forth. Pressing down on the cap will help take some of the tension off the catch/bolt/latch whatever you want to call it. Use one hand to press in on the cap and the other to work the key back and forth...

They do get corroded from time to time ( the slide-catch thing..) and stick.

Good luck

[Jonathan]

I can't get it open.  I push, I pull, I punch, I scream - won't turn all the way.

Will a locksmith be able to solve this problem for me?

[Jared]

I guess you could call one and have them get it for you. They aren't cheap if they have to come to you (so maybe unbolt the tank and take it to them if you decide to have a locksmith try it..)

Does the key turn it pretty freely  but it just doesn't turn all the way to release? Or is it difficult to turn the key?

Last resort is drilling the lock cylinder out and using a screwdriver and just replace the  cylinder afterwards....

[scratch]

Liquid Wrench

[KevinC]

Spray some good lube down the slot, put the key in and out, and wiggle it about.... hmmm, I don't like where this is headed!

Actually some good solvent like WD40 may be the first step. Sounds like one of the tumbers is stuck. I think, to return to the previous line of reasoning, if you keep playing with it all lubed up.....!!!

[Pkaaso]

Hmm Kevin, I love my GS.  But, I havn't gotten that far with her yet.

Ok, this will sound crazy but,  If all else fails, (I havn't tried this but here goes)

Drain the tank by taking off the petcock, using a long flat blade screwdriver and a good flash light, while trying to turn the key, (may need help here), press on the tabs from the inside of the tank and see if you can force them to release.  If you can get it to open, you can figure out why the lock failed.

Ok, for all that think I'm crazy - this post should remove all doubt.

Paul

[nsoccer3097]

i've had the same problem.  for some reason the when you insert the key and turn the cylinder, the "tabs" on the cylinder aren't catching on the metal tabs which pulls them in, thus allowing the cap up.  spent almost an hour once trying to get it to catch.

[Pkaaso]

Yep, it's official - I'm crazy.  Please disregard my last post on the screwdriver method.  I just looked at an old tank that I have and verifed that this WON"T WORK!

Sorry, cracked out of turn.    

Paul