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NB8 Fuel Cap Opening Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:02 pm
by Marador
This has been happening the last 3-4 times ive been to the servo... I pull up, open the centre box and i have to pull the fuel lever about 5-10 times before the cap opens. I havent had a look at the setup, i dont know where to start... is this an easy problem to fix ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:16 am
by Garry
Very frustrating eh. Two issues.

The very first lids came with 2 little rubber stoppers that had flat tops. The rubber would stick to the lid stopping it from opening. In later models the rubber stoppers had domes on them to stop this. If you stick something with a rough surface onto the lid where it meets the rubber stoppers it should solve the problem. I used swaide (sp?) contact available from Bunnings on my first lid. Though I think Mazda were selling the new improved stoppers as a seperate part for a while.

The other is issue is the piston with the opening spring attached to it at the hinge end can seize up. You could try spraying some lube into it to free it up though I had to take the lid off, leaving the frame on the car, and clean up the piston and bore with some fine sand paper to get it to move freely.

Careful what you use to lubricate things and try to keep it off the \"chrome\" lid. It is very poxy chrome that isn't very resistant to any harsh chemicals or even car polish. The chrome went off on my first lid after I accidentally got some WD40 on it then tried to clean it off with car polish. The only thing I put on my new one is Quick Detailer and it's still looking brand new after 3 years.

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:27 am
by Marador
Thanks mate, ill give those 2 a shot and see how i go.

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:31 pm
by Casey
Mine used to always stick - I had to give it a gentle thump to break the bond of the rubber stoppers and then give the lever another go.

A good fix is to open the fuel lid and put a drop of super glue on each rubber stopper. Leave the lid in the open position (very important :mrgreen: ) until the glue has set. Then you'll have no more problems.

Swissol wax is fine on the chrome.