Fuel Flap :(

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:36 pm

Hi,

I have a problem with the 406 fuel cover, in the sense that when you pull the handle in the car the flap does not pop open. Does any body have any ideas? (as I takes me ages to open the fuel flap)

NOTE: please see small red circle, as i think the plastic has split and is causeing the probelm, although i am not sure as it could be part of the design.

if i need a new part please can you post a rough cost and a place to get it from

Many THanks,

Andy

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:49 pm

I also have that problem. But with me, I have one of the 'pusher clips' broken, so that there isn't as much spring power to pop it open. What I do though, is pull the open flap lever, then get out of the car, push down on the hinge side of the flap and pull the lever again. This normally works. Although I'd probably need to fix it somehow, but don't know how

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:38 pm

I fail to see how a tiny crack on the casing of a straight through barrel hinge can prevent the flap from opening.
It looks to me that you have no springs that would force the door open.

No springs = no force to open door

Either that, or the cable between the pull handle and the locking mechanism has snapped. Not good!

tux2006 · Post by **tux2006** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:44 pm

I have similar problem only with closing it! it won't click back in when you try to push it closed...do you want to swap?

(sorry thats not really helpful )

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:04 am

Hi,

The cable has not snapped, as it does pull the plastic pin holding the flap in the lock position.

It is a bit strange not to find a spring in there, so can somebody check tomorrow and compare my picture with there’s and figure out how it works?

Thanks,

Andy

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:34 am

As I said... it's these 3 plastic lugs that push against the hinges that act as a spring. There's no proper spring as such... a bit dodgy really

Razza · Post by **Razza** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:51 pm

I replaced mine only last week. The orginal design has a bent spring metal spring acting against the middle flap lug which has a cam profile on it. That together with the very strong spring pops the flap open and the little black stubby knob keeps it from opening.

The friction between this metal spring and the middle lug was too great (not enough grease) in my case and caused the lug to snap backwards. The new flap design has a couple of small stanchions that strengthens the lug in this case.

mav347 · Post by **mav347** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:17 pm

if you can loosen the star shaped bolts at the top and bottom of the catch side, attach a couple of springs there, they may push it out a little more

darrenwall · Post by **darrenwall** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:54 am

isnt there an ermegency release lever inside the boot ?

degsy · Post by **degsy** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:30 am

I've just come across this problem. On my 2002 model there are three lugs that make up the filler flap hinge. The middle one closes on a spring which provides the necessary push to pop open the flap when you pull the trigger to release the latch. The middle lug has sheared off, and no amount of superglue/araldite can fix it (wrong kind of plastic?). Anyway, a quick work around (if your driving alone) is to hold open the trigger with something - I found a tic-tac box was the right size - then you can simply open the flap without any force. A longer term 'fix' is to pop a bit of sponge inside the flap - this provides enough spring when you puill the trigger. A bit "Heath Robinson" but it works for me.