fuel flap adjustment

mrchilipalmer · 28th March 2010, 23:13

Hi all. Had a meet today with fellow member Stevieboy - thanks Steven. A few issues cropped up during conversation while looking over each other's cars (you know how it goes!). One issue for me was bonnet/hood alignment, which I have now sorted (2 minute fix). Another was this:

I am wondering if there is any way of adjusting the spring tension of fuel filler flap. There is a certain amount of tension when closing, but I feel, not enough. As a result the flap will sit open ever so slightly, unless pushed closed, as opposed to closing fully when pressed. Like I say, there is some tension when closing, but none whatsoever when it reaches its final rest position. Wondering if anyone has encountered this, and knows of a fix before I go dismantling the lot, and most likely, making a mess of things!

Many thanks,
Gary

mrchilipalmer · 4th April 2010, 11:45

I guess I'm on my own with this one....

captain_anonymous_2003 · 6th April 2010, 13:48

Reviving this thread. I have a question about my fuel filler flap, mine seems very loose there is virually no resistance and it doesn't really stay open on its own very easily. I know my doors are easier to open than on older models, but this fuel filler flap seems a bit loose to me, can I just replace the hinge with a new one?

Looks like I can but I might see if the spring has broken or has fallen out, part 8 on here..

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&fg=25&hl=21

Thanks

Craig

captain_anonymous_2003 · 6th April 2010, 18:42

Unfortunately for me, the spring is totally missing! Explains the flapping about.. I will be sourcing a new one and fitting it to the hinge.

mrchilipalmer · 6th April 2010, 19:21

After having a look at this, my fuel filler flap spring is intact, but may just need replaced, as there is not enough 'spring' to the closure. With regard to it not closing properly in final rest position, this appears to be due to fuel cap holder (I think it is part # 29 in above diagram - the part which stores fuel cap when refilling). This part actually hits against the fuel filler cap, causing door to remain open ever so slightly. It will press home, but at a slight upwards angle. It is as if the fuel cap has been fitted in wrong orientation, needing turned anti-clockwise a couple of degrees so that when it is locked in place, the part above (# 29) attached to door no longer hits against it when closed. I cannot see any way to adjust fuel cap orientation and holder attached to door 's position is also not adjustable. I know it's not a big issue, but for now I'm stumped....

gsfent · 6th April 2010, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrchilipalmer

After having a look at this, my fuel filler flap spring is intact, but may just need replaced, as there is not enough 'spring' to the closure. With regard to it not closing properly in final rest position, this appears to be due to fuel cap holder (I think it is part # 29 in above diagram - the part which stores fuel cap when refilling). This part actually hits against the fuel filler cap, causing door to remain open ever so slightly. It will press home, but at a slight upwards angle. It is as if the fuel cap has been fitted in wrong orientation, needing turned anti-clockwise a couple of degrees so that when it is locked in place, the part above (# 29) attached to door no longer hits against it when closed. I cannot see any way to adjust fuel cap orientation and holder attached to door 's position is also not adjustable. I know it's not a big issue, but for now I'm stumped....

Is there any adjustment for the neck of the fuel filler? Can it be rotated slightly so the gas cap clears? Or is the pipe a single piece going to the tank?
Regards,
Jerry

mrchilipalmer · 6th April 2010, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsfent

Is there any adjustment for the neck of the fuel filler? Can it be rotated slightly so the gas cap clears? Or is the pipe a single piece going to the tank?
Regards,
Jerry

I'm guessing this is going to be the route I have to take in order to resolve. From up top (fuel cap area) there doesn't appear to be any way of adjusting or rotating neck of filler, but there may be room for some degree of rotation from underneath. I am struggling to see how though if this is a non-flexible (I'm guessing aluminium or stainless steel) piece of metal that runs from fuel filler cap to petrol tank.

Out of curiosity, what angle does your cap or filler neck sit at? If I remove fuel cap, and look at filler hole, there are 2 notches that fuel cap lines up in. These notches in my car are a shade beyond horizontal in clockwise direction (9.30 - 3.30 on clock face if that makes sense). With petrol cap in place, the cap turns clockwist through just over 90 degrees so that resting position of cap is beyond vertical (perhaps 7.00 - 1.00 on clock). The problem is this 1.00 o'clock position, which lines up perfectly with the fuel cap holder on door!

cab · 6th April 2010, 22:38

The fuel filler door hinge is adjustable, and the little u-shaped spring can be replaced if necessary. In my case (my wife's 530i actually), the black plastic hinge had a piece chipped off it at the back (not terribly visible until I had it off) and as a result the door wouldn't stay open. I had to replace the black plastic hinge. When replacing it you find out the bolt holes are oblong and adjustable - which requires that you to mess with it a few times to get it to look nice and square in the body opening and line up with the latching mechanism (note: a solenoid inside the quarter panel pushes out the locking pin when you lock your car doors and engages the fuel door). You should be able to loosen the hinge bolts and adjust it.

jclyman · 7th April 2010, 03:22

I believe there is "some" adjustment available on the filler pipe. There should be a short piece of rubber or plastic pipe, between the filler pipe and the tank ... you could loosen and rotate a small amount, but I wouldn't want to move it tooooo much ... I would search for another solution. I suppose the car could have been "mis-assembled" in a body shop, and it could be "off" slightly.

UPDATE: Maybe you could move the filler pipe down a little in the rubber piece. To shorten the entire filler length.

BE CAREFUL ... You are working around gas! It isn't the gas that starts a fire, IT IS THE FUMES. Even a shop light can set them off.

mrchilipalmer · 7th April 2010, 14:21

Thanks to all who replied. I'll have a bit of a tinker to see what can be done. If anyone can let me know the approximate orientation of their fuel cap, or pipe, I'd appreciate it - it'd be good to know how this should so that I can compare with mine.