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Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 1:27 pm
by Battar
The fuel tank door release lever in my 2003 petrol 1.8 doesn't open the fuel tank access door. I have to pry it open with a screwdriver at the pumps (not difficult, but makes me look silly). The release cable is in place, but too slack to pull the release pin. This feature isn't covered in the Haynes manual. Anyone know how to tighten the cable mechanism?
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 2:52 pm
by teamster1975
Have a look through
this thread 
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:33 pm
by Gary406
this is were i put my peg spring. easy get one of these springs from your washing line (dont let the wife see you tho)
this has worked for me for over 1 year now and opens the fuel filler lid perfecto
as you can see its just a case of loosening the torx screw and sliding the cloths peg spring into place and tightern it up. job done

Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:33 pm
by Battar
Thanks, Gary, looks like a great idea. I suppose any spring steel with a mounting hole would do the job. I'll do it Saturday when I've got some free time. I'f I carpool I won't have to fill up till then (my carpool mate has a Toyota Corolla, he lets me drive it, not half as much fun as the 406).
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:49 pm
by omega
if you have long legs you can hook your toe on the release leaver and push the fuel flap in the top corner to release it
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:00 pm
by Gary406
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:44 am
by gumby6371
I can confirm the peg spring fix works as I did mine when I bought the car 14 months ago and it opens every time

Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:20 pm
by Gary406
Battar wrote:Thanks, Gary, looks like a great idea. I suppose any spring steel with a mounting hole would do the job. I'll do it Saturday when I've got some free time. I'f I carpool I won't have to fill up till then (my carpool mate has a Toyota Corolla, he lets me drive it, not half as much fun as the 406).
it wasnt my idea this mate . i got the idea from this forum when i joined up about 12 months ago.
great idea whoever thought of it cos i would have never thought this 1 up

Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:33 pm
by grasmere59
Wish i'd thought of that spring idea,the best i came up with was to glue a little sponge pad to the inside of the door so it pushes against the filler cap,it worked a treat all last summer then when the freezing weather came the damp sponge froze to the cap,doh!

Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:19 pm
by Battar
omega wrote:if you have long legs you can hook your toe on the release leaver and push the fuel flap in the top corner to release it
Omega, it's a left hand drive model. I'd need more than long legs...
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:28 pm
by plod
I used a captive nut to force the cap out
Every few months it needs bending back out a tad but served me well for ages
As in like the ones in this pic

Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:58 pm
by omega
Battar wrote:omega wrote:if you have long legs you can hook your toe on the release leaver and push the fuel flap in the top corner to release it
Omega, it's a left hand drive model. I'd need more than long legs...
well how was i to know that?
good job i didnt offer to come round and fix it for you then[still i could do with a holiday,but knowing my luck you will live in birmingham and just moved back from somewhere nice]
if people but there location in there sig[come on mods get a grip] it would avoid this confusion.
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:10 pm
by DiscoPol
omega wrote:if people but there location in there sig[come on mods get a grip] it would avoid this confusion.

+1
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 12:32 am
by RayneR
OH MY GOD !!!!
This forum is always giving me interest to visit it even more and more, i'm having the same problem with my estate ! i need to put something underneath the puller and then manually pull the tank door, it's a pain and it really looks silly if people watch us ..
Gary your mod is incredible !!! God.. i would never thought in that little trick !!!!
Thank you.
Re: Fuel tank door release
Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 9:05 pm
by Busman
Did thid on mine 3 or more years ago and it still works fine. The thing about washing peg springs is they don't rust. And my wife was good enough to donate me two broken ones so I have a spare.