Fuel tank door release

[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?

[teamster1975]

Have a look through this thread

[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

[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).

[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

[Gary406]

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

nigel

[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

[Gary406]

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

[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!

[Battar]

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...

[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

[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

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.

[DiscoPol]

if people but there location in there sig[come on mods get a grip] it would avoid this confusion.

+1

[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.

[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.