Can't open the fuel tank - Urgent

[Mean1400]

Sorry for my poor english here... (Several words that I have problem to translate...)

The lock in the fuel cap has jammed (verdigris). I have used 5-56 oil and compressor air to blow the key hole clean. Now the small pins (5 of them) moves fine but I can still not open the lock.

Is it 5 or maybe 6 pins in the lock? Because if it's 6, it may be the lovest pin that is jammed. I can clearly feel 5 pins when i push a paper clip (metall) into the key hole. I think also the second and forth pin from the top doesn't come out all the way.

I can only drive 70 km with the gasoline I have so I need to fix this asap.

Any good ideas of how to fix it???

[Silverback]

Mean,

Your english is much better than many on here...

Are you saying the key won't turn? Or it does turn and the filler cap won't open. Maybe pushing down on the filler cap while you try turning the key would help. I know mine sticks a bit sometimes, and this helps.

Clive

[Mean1400]

No, I can't turn the key, and I have pushed down.

The problem is the lock and the pins that are jammed in some way.

The lock is much cleaner now compared to when I started. But I'm most curious over if there is 6 pins in the lock. Because if it is I think it is the lowest one that is the problem. The top 5 pins move perfect.

Is it possible to remove the lock? I removed the 5 screws around the cap but I didn't manage to remove the lock. And I don't want to bend...

[Kwikasfuki]

I think you might be able to take it out by undoing the allen bolts.
The lock will catch at the front, so you meay be able to ease it out by jiggling the rear.
The other thing to try is get a hammer and genty tap on the lock
Or insert backwards and forwards rapidly and see if that works (don't bend the key doing this though)

[Mean1400]

I managed to fix it, so it works now.

I used sewing machine oil and a piano wire to work the pins. It is 5 pins, not 6 as a suspected. After that we felt sure that the lock actually was open but jammed on the outside of the cyliner and impossible to twist. So I used a small pincer to force the key. And finally it open.

[Rusty]

Thank goodness for that .. quite scary to be on a bike with only a bit of fuel left !  Glad you got it sorted.

[O.C.]

Mean, have you been lubricating tghe lock with oils or other products, as this can cause a build up of dirt which will eventually cause the type of problem that you have experienced

The best lubricant for locks is something like this but it should NOT be used if you have already used oil or WD 40 or something similar as it will form a paste which will probably make matters worse

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAPHITE-POWDER-LOCK-LUBRICANT-CYLINDER-CAR-PADLOCK-/300873052198?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item460d6e7026

[Lonewolf]

Glad you are now sorted. Perhaps this is a good time to consider switching to the keyless filler cap.

[pistole]

- i oil the lock , the hinge and the locking cams (a pair) regularly with normal engine oil.

- have noticed that the oil goes "missing" very quickly due to the petrol fumes.

.

[MGvalerio]

Said problem is solved by unscrewing the 3 screws(Photos) of the doors fuel cap,
or left turn or to contact the whole, cosìfacend it eliminates the possibility of breakage key.


MGvalerio.