Something broke off my fuel door the last time I filled it up. A spring/clip fell on the ground when I closed it. Now the fuel door won't open (I am using the release switch on the driver's side floor).

 

Any help on how to open the fuel door without damaging the paint? I tried a chisel all around it but no go (a couple of layers of paper towel were used between the chisel and the door).

 

Now what? Fortunately it's full of gas and I only drive it a few miles each week, if that. But still...

 

Subarule

The thing that fell off was a spring that made the door pop open a little when you lift the release lever by the driver's door. If you find some way to put a slight pull on the door, it should pop open when the lever is lifted. A second person is the simplest, If one is available. Then rig something to replace the spring. I don't know if the Oem part is available.

The thing that fell off was a spring that made the door pop open a little when you lift the release lever by the driver's door. If you find some way to put a slight pull on the door, it should pop open when the lever is lifted. A second person is the simplest, If one is available. Then rig something to replace the spring. I don't know if the Oem part is available.

 

I didn't want to force the door as I didn't know if it'd end up being worse off. What do you mean by "a second person"?

 

To grab the door when the release lever is activated? I can try that but I don't think it's going to give. But can't hurt to try. I have the part that fell off but don't know if it's still affixable (<--- did I make up a word?) to whatever it was attached to.

 

I know there was an OEM fuel door available through the dealer, at some outrageous cost, as I had looked for one some years back. Don't know if it's still available, if it would have the spring & hinge assemblies, and I couldn't afford it anyway.

The spring is a separate piece, and sometimes they rust and break.

 

Yes, if someone applies mild pull on the door, and someone else trips the release handle, it should open easily.

 

The release lever pulls a cable that slides a pin out of the way of a tab on the door.  The spring [which sounds like what broke off] pops the door open.

Get another person (ie, a second person) to hold the lever, then get a plastic knife to lever the door open from the back.

 

you can bend the spring piece wider to make the door pop open more.

Edited September 15, 201510 yr by wagonist

The spring is a separate piece, and sometimes they rust and break.

 

Yes, if someone applies mild pull on the door, and someone else trips the release handle, it should open easily.

 

The release lever pulls a cable that slides a pin out of the way of a tab on the door.  The spring [which sounds like what broke off] pops the door open.

 

The thing that broke off kinda' looks more like a tab than a spring. I'll get a photo of it & post.

the spring is a small flat metal colored piece.

the spring is a small flat metal colored piece.

 

Okay, gotcha'.

So I got the fuel door open and I'm standing there with the clip and realize I have no idea what it attaches to or the orientation of it when it's properly in place.

 

Can someone post a clear, up-close photo of how it's supposed to go? 

 

'86 GL

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Subarule