Can I say oh crap?

Search button was quite useful for some answers but didn't find a thread with exactly the same problem.

I just went out for some good 98 gas, filled the tank and then hell happened. My filler cap is now a 2 independent parts item

When closing it just broke in 2, so I got stuck with the top part and key barrel on my hand and the rest of it, with spring and such, is stuck inside filler neck.

I have gas for 2 days and another car to go around so not really an immediate panic, but I will need to get a new fuel cap (hopefully one that allows to me to keep the original keys).

How will I get the bit stuck in filler cap out? I'm also not sure that any small plastic bit have gone into tank, so what do I do if that happened?

Thanks.

If something has gone into tank, only way of removing it is to remove tank first

Can you post a picture, it might help.

In the meantime maybe you could try grabbing the part left behind with some pliers and turning it anti clockwise, as if you were unscrewing it normally.

For a replacement, car shops should have one in stock or be able to order one for you, but you'll have an extra key just for it. If you want one that opens with the blue key then you might need to buy a complete new set (all the locks, code block, etc).

AppleSei, what about the 'access hatch' under the back seats? Is that only for getting to the pump and level sender?

I got a fuel cap replacement off ebay(about £8 IIRC) because the lock was sticking on mine, felt like I was going to break the key every time I had to open it. The replacement fits perfectly, it seemed a bit shallow and when you put it in you get the feeling that it's not sealed the whole neck properly but I gave it a good test (full tank on bendy roads) and theres no sign of any leakage.

should be able to take the locking part out and fit it into another cap

Today, so far, it's been a much better day.

Got myself a used Cinq Sporting fuel cap with key and engine oil cap for... this is for real... zero euros... for free

Also ordered a new one from Fiat without the key for 7 euros.

Plan is to use the used one as backup and place my standard lock on new one.

When mechanic friend arrives latter on I'll let you people know how it goes.

That's good to know - I thought you had to buy a complete set from Fiat

I've had another Cinq's fuel cap get completely stuck before, had to force it to undo with some pliers or I wouldn't have been able to drive away.

Update.

I'm so happy nothing ended up inside fuel tank.

The used fuel cap I got is sealing perfectly, so over the weekend I'll do the key barrel switch to the new item I got from Fiat.

Ty for all the help.

My Cinq fuel filler cap will hardly turn, now. I've rubbed it down before but that didn't seem to make as much difference as I expected. I coundn't really see which bits to rub down.

Is this a known problem?

Any suggestions?

Jester

Once they start to get like that I'd get it out of the filler neck, recover the key, bin it and replace with a new one from a motor factors.

We've freed them up before, then they've gotten worse and before you know it you're stuck on a forecourt wrestling with a pair of pliers.

Many thanks BlueDan - especially for the key point. But how do I replace the barrel? Does the cross pin hold it all together? Does that come out only one way?

Buy it now price ranges from £8 to £16. Any recommendations?

So, with nothing to lose, I had another go at easing mine. But in the couple of days since filling I couldn't get it out. No question of pliers! I was glad to be in my workshop. I had to use a couple of screwdrivers.

The problem turned out to be on the ring with the lugs that engage with those on the filler neck. Plastics are so resistant to abrasion that they don't leave distinct wear patterns, but close examination showed the outside of that ring was unnaturally polished in places through rubbing against the inside bores of the filler lugs. I chiselled off a few thou all round - tricky, but it's worked.

Thanks everyone. Are there other links to this problem?

Jester.

Don't know which ones you've been looking at, but the one we got came with a new pair of keys for the cap, ie it was some generic one and not a proper FIAT item.