My Gas Cap Won't Unlock

Becca_007 · 07-16-2008, 04:58 PM

Has this happened to anyone else? I know a couple of times it was real hard to get it to open but right now it will not budge. It's almost like I'm putting the wrong key in the hole. Thought I'd be smart and removed the bolts that appeared to be holding it in place, but that won't let me in either. I've only got 2 bars of gas left and I was suppose to go for a group ride tonight (need to leave in about an hour). Any suggestions? I'm going to try and look in the manual...

Rider · 07-16-2008, 05:01 PM

Make sure your key isn't bent and try putting some graphite in the lock. Other than that..

Maybe try your spare key

Good luck.

Becca_007 · 07-16-2008, 05:05 PM

Spare key might be at my mom's house. Grr. I couldn't get there and back and they don't get home til later.

I managed to bend the key trying to get it open but then bent it back. Thing fits in the ignition just fine.

Graphite? Do i just grind up some pencils? Lol.

Rider · 07-16-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca_007

Spare key might be at my mom's house. Grr. I couldn't get there and back and they don't get home til later.

I managed to bend the key trying to get it open but then bent it back. Thing fits in the ignition just fine.

Graphite? Do i just grind up some pencils? Lol.

I'm sure that could work. You don't keep graphite in the locks of your car in the winter? You should.. Unless you have keyless entry.

Becca_007 · 07-16-2008, 05:31 PM

I give up. Tried some WD-40 but it still wouldn't disengage. I'll have to see about getting the other key and hopefully that will work.

Even my old 1990 Lumina had keyless entry

. I do remember taking a lighter to the locks of my 1989 Cavalier though.

No Worries · 07-16-2008, 07:19 PM

The best bet is to ride to a locksmith and have him fix it permanently. You don't want to have that happen on empty.

DLIT · 07-16-2008, 08:46 PM

I put one on I saw at a gas station just laying on a pump. Dumb move. I pried it off with a prybar really easy.

6doublefive321 · 07-16-2008, 11:40 PM

My old Zuk was hard to open. The trick was to push down on the cap as you are trying to turn the key. The cap is spring loaded, so it puts a lot of tension on the latch. Pushing down relieves some pressure on the mechanism, and makes it easier for the key to turn.

Gas Man · 07-17-2008, 04:12 AM

I've had this happen before... once on my 9R. They don't get lubed. People forget about it. But forget fuckin WD40... get some decent lube.

And the reason it worked later was cause it was able to soak in.

Becca_007 · 07-17-2008, 08:29 AM

I didn't forget about it. I never knew/thought about it! But now it's added to my little list of things to check over.

Before yesterday pushing down did work, but the WD-40 is the only thing that got it open I think. In fact, it opens easier than it has in the year I've had it. I'm packing for a camping trip so don't know if I'll have time to get to it or not tonight. I know there is some tri-flo around here somewhere but the WD-40 is what was handy yesterday.

Thanks for explaining to me what was up. And, may this never happen again.

07-16-2008, 04:58 PM	#1
Becca_007 Street Stunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Moto: 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Posts: 93	My Gas Cap Won't Unlock Has this happened to anyone else? I know a couple of times it was real hard to get it to open but right now it will not budge. It's almost like I'm putting the wrong key in the hole. Thought I'd be smart and removed the bolts that appeared to be holding it in place, but that won't let me in either. I've only got 2 bars of gas left and I was suppose to go for a group ride tonight (need to leave in about an hour). Any suggestions? I'm going to try and look in the manual... __________________ 2002 Camaro SS LE: 13.488 @ 102.93MPH 2005 Kawasaki Z750S: 12.239 @ 115.69MPH 2003 Kawasaki Z1000: 11.886 @ 117.72MPH

07-16-2008, 05:05 PM	#3
Becca_007 Street Stunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Moto: 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Posts: 93	Spare key might be at my mom's house. Grr. I couldn't get there and back and they don't get home til later. I managed to bend the key trying to get it open but then bent it back. Thing fits in the ignition just fine. Graphite? Do i just grind up some pencils? Lol. __________________ 2002 Camaro SS LE: 13.488 @ 102.93MPH 2005 Kawasaki Z750S: 12.239 @ 115.69MPH 2003 Kawasaki Z1000: 11.886 @ 117.72MPH

07-16-2008, 05:31 PM	#5
Becca_007 Street Stunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Moto: 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Posts: 93	I give up. Tried some WD-40 but it still wouldn't disengage. I'll have to see about getting the other key and hopefully that will work. Even my old 1990 Lumina had keyless entry . I do remember taking a lighter to the locks of my 1989 Cavalier though. __________________ 2002 Camaro SS LE: 13.488 @ 102.93MPH 2005 Kawasaki Z750S: 12.239 @ 115.69MPH 2003 Kawasaki Z1000: 11.886 @ 117.72MPH

07-16-2008, 08:46 PM	#7
DLIT Clit Commander Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Las Vegas Moto: 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S Posts: 4,189	I put one on I saw at a gas station just laying on a pump. Dumb move. I pried it off with a prybar really easy. __________________ Dress for the crash. Not the ride.

07-16-2008, 11:40 PM	#8
6doublefive321 Resident Droog Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R Posts: 471	My old Zuk was hard to open. The trick was to push down on the cap as you are trying to turn the key. The cap is spring loaded, so it puts a lot of tension on the latch. Pushing down relieves some pressure on the mechanism, and makes it easier for the key to turn. __________________ I'm sick and tired of being bored.

07-16-2008, 05:01 PM	#2
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	Make sure your key isn't bent and try putting some graphite in the lock. Other than that.. Maybe try your spare key Good luck.

07-16-2008, 07:19 PM	#6
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	The best bet is to ride to a locksmith and have him fix it permanently. You don't want to have that happen on empty.

07-17-2008, 04:12 AM	#9
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	I've had this happen before... once on my 9R. They don't get lubed. People forget about it. But forget fuckin WD40... get some decent lube. And the reason it worked later was cause it was able to soak in. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

07-17-2008, 08:29 AM	#10
Becca_007 Street Stunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Moto: 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Posts: 93	I didn't forget about it. I never knew/thought about it! But now it's added to my little list of things to check over. Before yesterday pushing down did work, but the WD-40 is the only thing that got it open I think. In fact, it opens easier than it has in the year I've had it. I'm packing for a camping trip so don't know if I'll have time to get to it or not tonight. I know there is some tri-flo around here somewhere but the WD-40 is what was handy yesterday. Thanks for explaining to me what was up. And, may this never happen again. __________________ 2002 Camaro SS LE: 13.488 @ 102.93MPH 2005 Kawasaki Z750S: 12.239 @ 115.69MPH 2003 Kawasaki Z1000: 11.886 @ 117.72MPH