Door + petrol cap

[Bug4029]

Hi, I need to fill up with petrol but passenger door is locked shut and key or remote won't open it. Any ideas on how to get the petrol flap open without opening the door? Messing about with the door (lots of WD40) has not been fruitful so far.

Thx.

[epipete]

I'm not sure off hand but I'd open the Hood Storage deck, remove the trim which should allow sight of the cables running to the mechanism a tug of which should open the flap. As to the door, I'm still considering that one

[Elanlover]

I'm not sure off hand but I'd open the Hood Storage deck, remove the trim which should allow sight of the cables running to the mechanism a tug of which should open the flap. As to the door, I'm still considering that one

You should be able to reach the cable this way and (hopefully) open the flap.

[Bug4029]

Good idea, but no phillips on me to take out the plastic panel (breakdown man should have one).

[lotusflasherman]

Bad news ... don't bother removing the panels ...

I've spent this afternoon removing a black hood and fitting a blue one and I''ll be tweaking the bolts to adjust it tomorrow - so I've got the Hood Storage deck side panels off mine at the moment.
Just been to look and the bad news is the bowden cable outer is securely anchored both ends so you can't spring the flap simply by pulling on the cable.

Good news... just get two credit cards (for stiffness) and push them into the slot of the filler flap towards the rear and the flap will spring open - just done it on mine....

Think I may do that when filling up to save opening the door..

[epipete]

Top tip! Of course, its a spring loaded latch.

[Bug4029]

Phil your a star. It worked and I'm mobile, just the door to figure out tomorrow now.

[lotusflasherman]

Phil your a star. It worked and I'm mobile, just the door to figure out tomorrow now.

Glad I could help.

Amazing what you can learn - got my first M100 in '95, and now driving my 3rd, and always thought the Elan had a secure petrol cap

Mind you, I did have to open it to inspect the mechanism to see how easy it was to 'spring it' - let's hope the fuel thieves aren't reading this.

I do wish you luck with the door ... think that's a bit of a "Catch 22" there.

I seem to remember a few screws hold the door panel on along the bottom of the door and on the end of the door so door needs to be open to get at them so you can fix the door not opening..

[Rambo]

Good news... just get two credit cards (for stiffness) and push them into the slot of the filler flap towards the rear and the flap will spring open - just done it on mine:

I mentioned this top tip over 10 years ago And you can also do it with 1 credit card or one of those cheap, long thin screwdrivers

[dapinky]

The easiest way to open the filler flap is to gently slip a credit card (or any other slim, rigid plastic card!) between the rear edge of the flap and the bodyshell.

If you look into the gap, you will see the plastic bit which catches the flap shut - it is tapered, and gentle inwards pressure on it will cause it to move and release the flap.

As for the door - a whole different ball game!

[epipete]

The easiest way to open the filler flap is to gently slip a credit card (or any other slim, rigid plastic card!) between the rear edge of the flap and the bodyshell.

If you look into the gap, you will see the plastic bit which catches the flap shut - it is tapered, and gentle inwards pressure on it will cause it to move and release the flap.

As for the door - a whole different ball game!

Dave, did you read this thread?

[dapinky]

The easiest way to open the filler flap is to gently slip a credit card (or any other slim, rigid plastic card!) between the rear edge of the flap and the bodyshell.

If you look into the gap, you will see the plastic bit which catches the flap shut - it is tapered, and gentle inwards pressure on it will cause it to move and release the flap.

As for the door - a whole different ball game!

Dave, did you read this thread?

Clearly not!

In my defence, when i first clicked on it, it didn't appear to have any replies submitted (I'm still half asleep - it's early)...... and if you keep that attitude up, I'll take my bat and ball and go home

[Enright]

Pete, this is down to me.

I noticed that there were 2 identical threads, posted within a minute of one another. One had about 8 replies, the other had one - from Dave.
So I merged them (effectively moving Dave's response into this thread) and deleted the duplicate post.

Original poster please note: Posting the same question multiple times is about as effective as pressing a lift button repeatedly in the hope that it will speed it up!

It's also the reason that it is suggested that people try using the search function before posting, as it's usually quicker to find the information on here rather than wait for someone to see the cry for help and compose a reply.

[Elanlover]

... just get two credit cards (for stiffness) and push them into the slot of the filler flap towards the rear and the flap will spring open - just done it on mine....

The easiest way to open the filler flap is to gently slip a credit card (or any other slim, rigid plastic card!) between the rear edge of the flap and the bodyshell.

If you look into the gap, you will see the plastic bit which catches the flap shut - it is tapered, and gentle inwards pressure on it will cause it to move and release the flap.

Evidence of a misspent youth.

[lotusflasherman]

... just get two credit cards (for stiffness) and push them into the slot of the filler flap towards the rear and the flap will spring open - just done it on mine....

The easiest way to open the filler flap is to gently slip a credit card (or any other slim, rigid plastic card!) between the rear edge of the flap and the bodyshell.

If you look into the gap, you will see the plastic bit which catches the flap shut - it is tapered, and gentle inwards pressure on it will cause it to move and release the flap.

Evidence of a misspent youth.

I confess

[GeoffSmith]

…pressing a lift button repeatedly in the hope that it will speed it up!

It's the ONLY way to get our lifts at work to go.

[Enright]

…pressing a lift button repeatedly in the hope that it will speed it up!

It's the ONLY way to get our lifts at work to go.

Ah of course - I'd forgotten about your Stannah Stair Lift Geoff, apologies for the oversight!

[dapinky]

…pressing a lift button repeatedly in the hope that it will speed it up!

It works just as well at Pedestrian Crossings......

[epipete]

... and if you keep that attitude up, I'll take my bat and ball and go home