removing a locked gas cap without a key

matl59 · 03-21-2007

So I realized a simple trick to removing a locked gas cap from the filler neck without a key this morning. Thought I'd post it because I've heard people ask before but I've never come across this in any post...I couldn't actually find any of those posts when I did a quick search though. (mods feel free to move this post to one of them if you can find one and feel compelled)

A little background, I've had some trouble with water getting in my gas cap and freezing. Up until today it seamed to always happen to the lock mechanism itself not allowing the key to go all the way in and up until now this phenomenon only happened after I unlocked it.

Well, this morning when I went to remove it the lock mechanism was already frozen and I wasn't able to put the key all the way in. I quickly realized that the whole cap was frozen this time. I just turned it right off the filler neck like it was unlocked. Put it right back on when I was done with no problem. Checked it again a little later that day to make sure I wasn't crazy and had actually left it unlocked. Sure enough, it spun freely.

So, long story short if you find yourself with a gas cap stuck on a filler neck without a key, drench the cap, freeze it, and spin it off like its unlocked

Guess my locked cap isn't as secure as I thought.

West Coast GT · 03-21-2007

That's a good tip. Thank you.

OpelJim · 03-22-2007

For us San Diegians that would be a neat trick

hrcollinsjr · 03-22-2007

What I did to stop my cap from freezing and being unable to get the key in all the way was to remove it and spray carb/brake cleaner into the cylinder while holding it upside down. You hopely flush all moisture and any grit that might be in it out. I let it drain and dry for some time and then added a lube designed for key cylinders. I didn't have that problem again until my significant other forgot to close the cover a few days later and it got rained on and I had to go through the process again. Gotta love 'em.

Harold

jlthunder · 03-22-2007

Originally Posted by OpelJim

For us San Diegians that would be a neat trick

Liquid Nitrogen or Dry Ice may work for you guys

matl59 · 03-22-2007

I haven't had a chance to let it dry thoroughly. I've sprayed some WD-40 into it a couple times but still freezes up went its really cold... its only a minor annoyance. The door locks are even more fun on really cold days.

What I really need is a garage to park in at night...

David12345 · 03-23-2007

Could someone explain why freezing the cap would allow it to be removed without a key .. I don't see the picture.

BQS4 · 03-23-2007

if the whole unit, especially the inside were frozen, it would become one solid unit, and able to turn. Like if your door handle freezes and you can't get the key in or if you do, it won't turn, or you can't press the button to open the door

GTJIM · 03-23-2007

The gas cap on a GT is actually 'unlocked' when it spins freely - and the two parts 'locked' together so it can be taken off.

Thus - when the two bits are frozen together ... the cap can be taken off!

BTW - some water dribbled down the key-hole and a blast (or two!) from a CO2 fire extinguisher should do the job.

Oh! .. and use a thick glove when removing the frozen cap - or you will stick to it.

HTH

jlthunder · 03-26-2007

Originally Posted by GTJIM

Oh! .. and use a thick glove when removing the frozen cap - or you will stick to it.

HTH

Like a tongue to a cold flagpole

teppy · 08-08-2009

Try drilling a hole on an angle from the cap center where it is in the filler neck. Then insert a nail into same hole allowing you to remove the cap. If it still doesn't work, try this one: Removing a fuel tank cap.

opelspyder · 08-08-2009

Teppy,
your above post would not apply to a GT gas cap. If you drill it, you destroyed it. I don't like putting nails into anything other than wood. Your link is concerning new gas caps. The GT has a large chrome locking gas cap.
And they can be a pain sometimes when they are in the locked position getting off. Please though, do not use a drill!!!!! You may be able to snake out the filler neck on certain year models. Some have a guard that prevents this
Keith

opelgtboy70 · 08-08-2009

For the San Diegoans, take the neck off and put it in the freezer

Karl

03-21-2007	#1 (permalink)
matl59 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Windsor Locks, CT Posts: 192 Real Name: Matt	Unanswered: removing a locked gas cap without a key So I realized a simple trick to removing a locked gas cap from the filler neck without a key this morning. Thought I'd post it because I've heard people ask before but I've never come across this in any post...I couldn't actually find any of those posts when I did a quick search though. (mods feel free to move this post to one of them if you can find one and feel compelled) A little background, I've had some trouble with water getting in my gas cap and freezing. Up until today it seamed to always happen to the lock mechanism itself not allowing the key to go all the way in and up until now this phenomenon only happened after I unlocked it. Well, this morning when I went to remove it the lock mechanism was already frozen and I wasn't able to put the key all the way in. I quickly realized that the whole cap was frozen this time. I just turned it right off the filler neck like it was unlocked. Put it right back on when I was done with no problem. Checked it again a little later that day to make sure I wasn't crazy and had actually left it unlocked. Sure enough, it spun freely. So, long story short if you find yourself with a gas cap stuck on a filler neck without a key, drench the cap, freeze it, and spin it off like its unlocked Guess my locked cap isn't as secure as I thought.

03-22-2007	#3 (permalink)
OpelJim Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fallbrook. CA Posts: 704	Hard to fit a Gt in my frezer For us San Diegians that would be a neat trick

03-23-2007	#7 (permalink)
David12345 Opeler Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: boat Posts: 35	Explain.. Could someone explain why freezing the cap would allow it to be removed without a key .. I don't see the picture.

03-23-2007	#8 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,027 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	if the whole unit, especially the inside were frozen, it would become one solid unit, and able to turn. Like if your door handle freezes and you can't get the key in or if you do, it won't turn, or you can't press the button to open the door __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

03-23-2007	#9 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	Love Opel ... The gas cap on a GT is actually 'unlocked' when it spins freely - and the two parts 'locked' together so it can be taken off. Thus - when the two bits are frozen together ... the cap can be taken off! BTW - some water dribbled down the key-hole and a blast (or two!) from a CO2 fire extinguisher should do the job. Oh! .. and use a thick glove when removing the frozen cap - or you will stick to it. HTH __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved

03-21-2007	#2 (permalink)
West Coast GT Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 931	That's a good tip. Thank you.

03-22-2007	#4 (permalink)
hrcollinsjr 2200 Post Club Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chapel Hill, TN Posts: 2,267 Real Name: Harold Collins Provided Answers: 14	What I did to stop my cap from freezing and being unable to get the key in all the way was to remove it and spray carb/brake cleaner into the cylinder while holding it upside down. You hopely flush all moisture and any grit that might be in it out. I let it drain and dry for some time and then added a lube designed for key cylinders. I didn't have that problem again until my significant other forgot to close the cover a few days later and it got rained on and I had to go through the process again. Gotta love 'em. Harold

03-22-2007	#6 (permalink)
matl59 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Windsor Locks, CT Posts: 192 Real Name: Matt	I haven't had a chance to let it dry thoroughly. I've sprayed some WD-40 into it a couple times but still freezes up went its really cold... its only a minor annoyance. The door locks are even more fun on really cold days. What I really need is a garage to park in at night...

08-08-2009	#11 (permalink)
teppy Opeler Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton City, CA Posts: 5	Try drilling a hole on an angle from the cap center where it is in the filler neck. Then insert a nail into same hole allowing you to remove the cap. If it still doesn't work, try this one: Removing a fuel tank cap.

08-08-2009	#12 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,301 Provided Answers: 4	Does not apply Teppy, your above post would not apply to a GT gas cap. If you drill it, you destroyed it. I don't like putting nails into anything other than wood. Your link is concerning new gas caps. The GT has a large chrome locking gas cap. And they can be a pain sometimes when they are in the locked position getting off. Please though, do not use a drill!!!!! You may be able to snake out the filler neck on certain year models. Some have a guard that prevents this Keith __________________ Questions or comments to the Project: Restoration of a GT series 2 -post here http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opel-gt...eries-2-a.html

08-08-2009	#13 (permalink)
opelgtboy70 Opeler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 201 Real Name: Karl Senula	For the San Diegoans, take the neck off and put it in the freezer Karl

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