Locking Gas Cap - No Key

[powelli]

Recently purchased and shipped the car to myself. Unfortunately, the gas cap key didn't arrive with it. PO is out of pocket until December (Military OCS) and I'd like to get the car gassed up and out on the road before then. Is there any easy way to pick it? Any skeleton key available? Any advice?

Thanks,

Ian

[Guest Anonymous]

Are all the keys the same? I've a key with no lock. Email me if you want it.

[John_in_VA]

(nt)

[BillWilliams]

You could, with caution, fill it from there.

[powelli]

It's worth a try. Mac....you have no e-mail address listed next to your name. Would you mind sending me your e-mail address?

[eastsidebimmer]

If you drive to them, it should be cheaper

(If you have enough gas in the tank)

ESB

[jmiller]

You might try a small screwdriver instead of a key...works with mine!

[SteveJ]

If you cannot find a key for the cap, some destruction will be needed.

Take the fuel filler apart from inside the trunk. Loosen the hose clamp on the bottom of the filler(near the trunk floor), then remove all 4 screws that hold the filler boot and cap mounting flange to the body. After you have it apart, move the cap and flange over to your workbench. You can then use a dremel tool with a cut off wheel to cut off the locking tab on the underside of the gas cap. End result will be a cap that looks like a locking cap from the outside, but does not really lock. Probably OK for 99% of the time, but if gas goes up to $10 a gallon, you may want a new locking cap.

[powelli]

Thanks for the replies. I have about 1/8th of a tank left and might be able to get to a locksmith if needed. I'll try the screwdriver trick and the key from Mac first. Oh...and I'll go ahead and get that new cap purchased.

[Sam_in_VA]

I had this problem when I bought my 1st 2002. I was able to fill through the trunk by pulling the rubber filler off the tank to get home. Once home, I removed the outside flange from inside the trunk and was easily able to remove the cap from inside the flange. I forget exactly how, I either pried the "ears" a screwdriver or turn whta the key would have turned from the inside. I do remember that it was easy and non-destructive.

[Chris_B]

a good locksmith will be able to fab a key for your cap. Dunno how much that would cost (maybe ~$25), but perhaps better than ripping things apart.

[powelli]

Key arrived from Mac today and to my surprise it worked. Thanks Mac....I owe you one.