(T) Fuel filler cap

I am getting old and having a few 'senior moments' but the locking fuel cap on my new Doblo has got me beaten.

I can undo / redo it eventually but it seems a whole lot of trouble for a simple task. .

I did consult the instruction book but that was obviously translated from the Italian version by an eleven year old who had (i) never seen the car (ii) even less tried to refuel one (iii) had been skipping English lessons.

Is there a 'knack', are have you all replaced the locking cap with a 49p emergency model from Halfords (or Halfrauds as I saw on a different thread)?

Despite this post I'm still very pleased with the Doblo, and enjoying reading the forum.

Hi Broadpete
Yes they are fiddley, keep praticing you will get there! insert keys and undo lock then you have to turn fuel cap with keys in to get fuel cap off,then to fit keep keys in fuel cap making sure the keys are in the lock and in the undo poistion, fit fuel cap turn and then lock with key,
wife rarely fills up leaves to me!

Hi Pete
I had massive problems with this, until it was explained to me, and I got the knack, and now it's easy peasy.
Put key in lock and turn key (anticlockwise), turn cap anticlockwise and remove. Fill () then replace cap, turn clockwise, you will hear strange clicking noise, but don't worry, it's meant to do that; then turn key in lock clockwise: remove key. Done. Drive off feeling relieved.

Lyn x

Masie & Lyn - Many thanks for taking so much trouble with your replies. I will let you know how I go on armed with this knowledge!

Lets see if you can teach old dogs new tricks

I think I've still 1/4 tank so will be a few days.....

Why wait til you fill up; you could practice before you need to fill up again, and then it'll be like falling off a log and you won't have a queue hooting their horns while you stand there for half an hour trying to get the bl**dy thing back on. Oh, those embarrassing memories

Good luck.
Lyn

It's a 2 handed job.
You have to hold the cap with one hand while turning the key with the other, otherwise the cap will just spin round.
Skoda Estelles had the same type of lock, that's how I learned to work them (proud ex 130GL owner)

Quite right. Forgot to mention that.

Lyn

Hi
Thanks for info all. I'm glad I'm not on my own with that damn fuel cap. I feel a right fool at petrol station trying to lock or undo fuel cap. I am lost at why a simlpe turn of the key was considered not enough.

Tom McGhie Doblo Dynamic 120

No one will nick our diesel

Lyn x

Dark, raining, windy, busy petrol station. Ideal conditions to test the new method, and it worked perfectly!

I know it wasn't a critical issue, but its the type of thing that can really become annoying, and Lyn, Maisie & Rich have done it. Not a bad system really.

Thank You, Thank You.

Nice one Pete

Lyn

I think it's to make it harder for a scumbag to force off. If the cap just locked on with a turn of the key then it would be a simple matter for an oik to force the cap round. With the type of cap now fitted the top just spins freely until locked to the real cap underneath using the key.

I have spent anywhere between 15 and 35 minutes trying to do the darn thing up.... thought I'd done it... driving around only to be assailed by the very strong whiff of petrol!!! hadn't done it at all... I expect I will get the hang of it eventually but it ain't getting there yet!!! I will keep trying but it is very very aggravating..... I am getting on a bit (63) so i might need a reboot... lol

From one 63 to another. Petrol caps aren't what they used to be I'm afraid. Todays fuel cap is more of a pressure valve. You mention a smell of petrol, that smell will be fuel vapours, which in turn, eventually is fed back into your inlet manifold, and into your combustion chambers, to help power your engine.

Its known as EVAP system. You've probably seen it mentioned here and there, and wondered what does it do.Simple put, it recirculates your fuel vapour in the tank to your engine.................helps to save fuel......so I'm told.

If you're like me.......old school..............you'll get the hang of it ...........do it sooner than later though......ITS COSTING YOU MONEY!!!

JOHN.

I have the same problem which can be embarrassing at the petrol station. I bought an AA emergency filler cap. I know it is not legal by MOT standard so make sure you have the lockable cap in place when having your nextMOT.