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.

Becca_007 · 07-16-2008, 07:48 PM

Yay! It finally opened. I won't be able to clean it out and give it a good lubing until after this weekend but now i can gas up so I can ride back and forth to work. WD-40 to the rescue. I still don't know why it happened though.

Amber Lamps · 07-16-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca_007

Yay! It finally opened. I won't be able to clean it out and give it a good lubing until after this weekend but now i can gas up so I can ride back and forth to work. WD-40 to the rescue. I still don't know why it happened though.

That little "door" that used to slide closed when you took your key out probably quit sliding so when you bike gets wet (rain,washing,etc) a little water finds it's way into the hole. You are supposed to lube that hole when you change your oil. Start doing that and this will probably never happen again. Besides the key recess makes a great little pool for water to hang out in and get into your keyhole!

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.

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, 07:48 PM	#7
Becca_007 Street Stunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Moto: 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Posts: 93	Yay! It finally opened. I won't be able to clean it out and give it a good lubing until after this weekend but now i can gas up so I can ride back and forth to work. WD-40 to the rescue. I still don't know why it happened 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	#9
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, 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.

07-16-2008, 11:40 PM	#10
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.