Gas door won't stay open

[Long Islander]

My gas door won't stay in the open position. It'll open, but it won't stay in the fully open position -- it flops back to partially closed. Is there an easy fix for this? I have a 2001 C2.

[Loren]

Probably the spring (item 6) or the hinge (item 5).

996.201.413.01 Spring -- MSRP $1.85 (as of June 2006)

996.201.063.00 Hinge -- MSRP $9.71

How to remove fuel filler door

[Long Islander]

Thanks. Now that I've done the brake flush, I have another project to look forward to.

Edited July 22, 2006 by Oggie (on L.I.)

[Long Islander]

Help. Has anyone done this? I need some tips.

I got stuck trying to remove the filler flap. The directions in the above link seem to indicate that I have to press on two tabs labeled A, toward the rear of the car and pull up on the filler flap. I tried this several times but the filler flap doesn't move at all.

Meanwhile, when I got started, I noticed that a small piece of plastic that had been attached to the backside of the plastic hinge had broken off, so the spring had nothing to grab onto on the backside. So, there's nothing wrong with my spring -- I just need a new hinge.

I also had no luck removing the hinge using a small screw driver instead of the "removal tool." I'd really like to avoid having to go to the dealer for this.

[gotmud]

I swear that my door looks exactly like these but the door just flaps open and closed....i.e. it will not stay open when I want it to for fueling.. It just flops against the hose.

I guess the spring isnt attached right. Anyone have any details on how to attach it...or remove and replace it?

Thanks

Glenn

[violaGT3]

I swear that my door looks exactly like these but the door just flaps open and closed....i.e. it will not stay open when I want it to for fueling.. It just flops against the hose.

I guess the spring isnt attached right. Anyone have any details on how to attach it...or remove and replace it?

Thanks

Glenn

Pull the headlight and have a look back there.

[gotmud]

Pull the headlight and have a look back there.

I am not sure what I would be looking for there. The locking mechanism is working fine.

But when I go to the gas station to fill up...I open the door to remove the fuel cap, then turn to get the gas nosle, the fuel door swings shut imediatley when I release it so I have to open it again and hold it open when I insert the nosle. I see these pics with the door staying open and think something is wrong here with my box s.

[violaGT3]

Pull the headlight and have a look back there.

I am not sure what I would be looking for there. The locking mechanism is working fine.

But when I go to the gas station to fill up...I open the door to remove the fuel cap, then turn to get the gas nosle, the fuel door swings shut imediatley when I release it so I have to open it again and hold it open when I insert the nosle. I see these pics with the door staying open and think something is wrong here with my box s.

I would say that the spring clip is not seated properly. One thing that would immediately help is to leave the key in the ignition I believe that'll keep the door from locking back. The only way to know for sure is to get in there. I believe it is the spring clip>not set right, broken, etc. It should be an easy fix. I would look on my car but it is at Imagine Auto getiing some work done. GL

[Long Islander]

It sounds like you had the same problem that I had.

Take a look at the parts diagram above. If you're missing part no 6 (the spring clip), then just buy that and clip it back into place. In my case, the spring clip was neither missing nor defective.

I had to replace the plastic hinge, part no. 5, which is not very easy. Mainly, the problem is getting the old one off. Since it's plastic, the trick is to yank it off or pry it off without scratching the car. Study the instructions in the link above on how to remove the gas door.

I did this two years ago, so I don't remember all the details, but make sure you tape the gas door and the surrounding areas of the body with duct tape to avoid scratches. Also, once the gas door is off the hinge, it's going to either fly off or fall on the floor or the body of your car, so having someone hold onto it will help avoid damage.

Good luck.

[gotmud]

It sounds like you had the same problem that I had.

Take a look at the parts diagram above. If you're missing part no 6 (the spring clip), then just buy that and clip it back into place. In my case, the spring clip was neither missing nor defective.

I had to replace the plastic hinge, part no. 5, which is not very easy. Mainly, the problem is getting the old one off. Since it's plastic, the trick is to yank it off or pry it off without scratching the car. Study the instructions in the link above on how to remove the gas door.

I did this two years ago, so I don't remember all the details, but make sure you tape the gas door and the surrounding areas of the body with duct tape to avoid scratches. Also, once the gas door is off the hinge, it's going to either fly off or fall on the floor or the body of your car, so having someone hold onto it will help avoid damage.

Good luck.

I have the spring clip. How do you tell if something is wrong with the hinge?

[Long Islander]

I have the spring clip. How do you tell if something is wrong with the hinge?

Is the spring clip tightly in place? It shouldn't move around at all. If it does, you should be able to re-install it properly using the instructions above. Also, see if there are any small black plastic pieces that broke off the hinge. In my case, I saw a broken piece of plastic and realized that was the problem. Most likely, your problem is the hinge if the gas door is flopping around when open.