May sound a really daft question but.......

[AndyT]

Whats the procedure for unlocking and removing the fuel filler cap on an X-challenge I havn't put any fuel in and when I got to the fuel station (400 yards away I couldn't open the fuel filler. I'm think that the key mechanism is suspect as I can get the key in quite a way but I can't turn it either to the left or right and also the key that came with the bike was snapped

Any help appreciated as I don't want to snap this key and its clearly not going to turn however I'm not sure if its in far enough (I'm sure a girl told me that once!!).

AndyT

 

[rossi]

The key should go as far into the petrol cap as it does into the ignition.

It may be that you are not getting it in far enough. I would try some lubricant. Now about the lock.... Seriously, squirt in some wd40 and work the key in and out of the lock a few times before you attempt to turn it. Be gentle and don't force it.

 

[AndyT]

The key should go as far into the petrol cap as it does into the ignition.

It may be that you are not getting it in far enough. I would try some lubricant. Now about the lock.... Seriously, squirt in some wd40 and work the key in and out of the lock a few times before you attempt to turn it. Be gentle and don't force it.

I've tried thatbut it doesn't want to play. Does the key turn clockwise or anti clock wise!! I'm guessing anti clockwise but as you say I don't want to break my key - thanks

 

[frostyuk]

according to the guys at the bmw ors the siezing of the petrol cap lock is common so does need to be kept well lubricated ....

cant offer any more than that tho

 

[AndyT]

according to the guys at the bmw ors the siezing of the petrol cap lock is common so does need to be kept well lubricated ....

cant offer any more than that tho

Thanks again - I doesed it with wd40, left it to penetrate and dowsed it again, I still cant get the ket to turn (not 100% its actually going all the way in to be honest). Anyway I thought it had freed off but chickened out and you've guessed it the key is starting to tear at one of the cut outs so Its another key before I can try anything else........this is just so frustrating as its the sunniest day since... well yesterday and I couldn't use it then either

Johnny Boxer - I got your voice message thank you very much

 

[Schtum]

WD40 isn't the best choice in these circumstances. Since it's mainly paraffin based, it does a good job of dispersing water but also degreases so washes out any lubricant that's in the lock. A few drops of 3 in 1 oil or similar would be better.

 

[Piggers]

Anti-Clockwise

When I picked mine up and stopped at the Petrol Station, I had the same problem !
I had to phone the guy I had bought ot from to ask the same question !

The answer was Anti-Clockwise and eventually it did turn, but muast have been close to breaking point... When i got it home i gave it a good oiling and it has been fine since.

Cheers,

Piggers

 

[AndyT]

When I picked mine up and stopped at the Petrol Station, I had the same problem !
I had to phone the guy I had bought ot from to ask the same question !

The answer was Anti-Clockwise and eventually it did turn, but muast have been close to breaking point... When i got it home i gave it a good oiling and it has been fine since.

Cheers,

Piggers

Thanks for that Piggers - seems mine is the same but the key has started to break so I need to get a new one sorted. I've got a manual and once the cap cmes off (he says optimistically) I'll strip it down and lubricate everything.

Thanks again

AndyT

 

[AndyT]

Well finally managed to get 2 keys cut today which work perfectly in the ignition and seat loack (so I know they are cut well) but they refuse to go into the fuel cap so I will have to drill the lock out and buy a new cap and lock set
Does anyone know if I will be able to code the new cap to my keys, I would think so.... time will tell.
I'll get to ride this thing yet

 

[rossi]

touratech do a non locking cap. Worth comparing this for price.

 

[Mav]

Well finally managed to get 2 keys cut today which work perfectly in the ignition and seat loack (so I know they are cut well) but they refuse to go into the fuel cap so I will have to drill the lock out and buy a new cap and lock set
Does anyone know if I will be able to code the new cap to my keys, I would think so.... time will tell.
I'll get to ride this thing yet

Is it just a case of there being crap in the lock that needs flushing out? Have you considered a whole bunch of WD40 to see if that frees it up?

 

[Hustler]

..... as I can get the key in quite a way but I can't turn it either to the left or right and also the key that came with the bike was snapped ...............

So is it possible that the end of this snapped key that came with the bike is still in the lock ?

 

[AndyT]

So is it possible that the end of this snapped key that came with the bike is still in the lock ?

Its possible I suppose but I'm not 100% as I could get the last key in a little further. I think its been pressure washed to death and all teh leaves inside or sticking/seized. I've had it flushed with WD40 for 4 days now and no change..... I'll get there one way or another. At least I can start it now and the low fuel lights not on yet so at least 2 litres
I seem to recall theres a hatch under the seat probably for the float sensor so will have a look in there when I get time. Its too sunny to fiddle at the moment so been out on one of my other bikes

AndyT

 

[35col]

Its possible I suppose but I'm not 100% as I could get the last key in a little further. I think its been pressure washed to death and all teh leaves inside or sticking/seized. I've had it flushed with WD40 for 4 days now and no change..... I'll get there one way or another. At least I can start it now and the low fuel lights not on yet so at least 2 litres
I seem to recall theres a hatch under the seat probably for the float sensor so will have a look in there when I get time. Its too sunny to fiddle at the moment so been out on one of my other bikes

AndyT

Hi Andy,

Are you about at the weekend? I could have a run up and we can compare if you want?

Col

 

[PaulXC]

Its possible I suppose but I'm not 100% as I could get the last key in a little further. I think its been pressure washed to death and all teh leaves inside or sticking/seized. I've had it flushed with WD40 for 4 days now and no change..... I'll get there one way or another. At least I can start it now and the low fuel lights not on yet so at least 2 litres
I seem to recall theres a hatch under the seat probably for the float sensor so will have a look in there when I get time. Its too sunny to fiddle at the moment so been out on one of my other bikes

AndyT

I snapped one of my keys in the filler cap about 60 miles from home. Luckily a mate rode back and got my spare for me. I hadn't put the key in far enough and then turned it as normal and it snapped like a twig.

Paul

 

[AndyT]

Hi Andy,

Are you about at the weekend? I could have a run up and we can compare if you want?

Col

Hi Col,
I'm out both Sat (Glen Lyon meeting Ronno and the boys) and Sunday to Inverary with some guys from work. Its a pity as I would love to get the damn cap off. I'm home until Thursday though if you are about next week!!

Andy

 

[AndyT]

Well, I finally (thanks to 35Col's persistance) managed to get the new key into the lock and remove the fuel cap. We tried a few things but clearly something was amiss.

All was not done though as once the fuel cap was off we couldn't then remove the key without removing the barrel from the cap. I found the reason why this evening when I stripped the whole thing down and noticed that the cap is damaged meaning that when you lock the fuel cap it can go past the locked position and retain the key in place. It doesn't take much for this to happen as the tolerances are quite tight. Looks like I'll just need a new fuel cap and keep the orginal barrel. I can get it on and off now (knowing to turn the key about 10% open again) but I don't want to get caught out.

Anyway, I went to the fuel station to fill up and found the tank almost full I could only get 3 litres in.....


Anyway bike pulls well and is smooth but should the fan be on almost permenantly after the first mile......... here we go again... thats for another day.

Many thanks for all your input and a big thanks to Col for coming round with a big bag of persistance which is what I was lacking as getting a bit fed up with it to be honest. New challenge now, that fan being on nearly all the time

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Anyway bike pulls well and is smooth but should the fan be on almost permenantly after the first mile......... here we go again... thats for another day.

Many thanks for all your input and a big thanks to Col for coming round with a big bag of persistance which is what I was lacking as getting a bit fed up with it to be honest. New challenge now, that fan being on nearly all the time

Clean you rad out (back to front), must be chocker with mud from the ORS

My fan hardly ever comes on

 

[Timolgra]

Probably using the wrong key

Look on Ebay, you can but keyless fuel caps for them for about £26

 

[AndyT]

Clean you rad out (back to front), must be chocker with mud from the ORS

My fan hardly ever comes on

Thats a wee job for tomorrow, then a test run somewhere