Gas Cap Stuck..won't open????

[cpmman]

Cant seem to be able to open the cap...wont turn either way. There is a very tiny free area but then it hits a brick wall...

Afriad to muscle it to much and screw something up...??

Very puzzling as I have been riding for 40 years and had countless bikes but never one with a stuck gas cap...!

Any ideas???????????????

 

[BBChopper]

It swelled from the Ethinol!!!!!!!! Good luck!:angry:
My custom cap I made broke while on empty in Daytona BW last year. Went to a muffler shop close by and barrowed a big pare of channel locks! It sucked, got lucky and made it to Carl's three blocks away and got a new stock cap!!!

 

[Doug760]

Is it locked or does it turn but not loosen up? 3 months into my '09, it did the latter and all I did was just push down really hard and turn it. It has not done this since. Before it did this, I noticed that I did not get a click once it was on all the way... I get a click ever since though...

Doug

 

[cpmman]

Will it shrik in time...? Can it be vented now somehow?

I have channel locks but not sure how hard I can twist before sometning bad happens..

This really sucks as I have not put gas in it yet since it was delivered yesterday???

 

[woodbutcher]

once swollen, will not shrink. will just keep getting bigger. occasionally, you will see one on ebay for about $30. good luck.

some have had luck after getting them out by sanding/filing down the threads "lightly" and making them work that way.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Wont even budge? That seems really odd, maybe you need to eat your wheaties?

Seriously try he channel locks give it a solid turn. If that doesnt work tread carefully with the below.....

Honestly, I fucked up my gas cap when I removed the vent I didnt put in the small metal pin. The cap screwed it in and when trying to remove it just spun on the threads. Anyways I ended up EVER so carefully popping the gas cap off with a screwdriver. I wouldnt recommend anyone doing it but I did and made it out with only a minor scratch. I had towels wrapped everywhere to protect the paint.

 

[BBChopper]

Put tape on the tank!! The paint saver will probably come out too!

 

[cpmman]

I will tape the shit out of the tank...otherwise a grown man wont cry..I'll ball my eyes out if it gets scratched!!!

Yes I ate my wheaties today..even used rubber gloves to get a better grip..

Not looking forward to it but will tape the tank and use the channel locks...YIKES!!!

 

[BBChopper]

I will tape the shit out of the tank...otherwise a grown man wont cry..I'll ball my eyes out!!!

Yes I ate my wheaties today..even used rubber gloves to get a better grip..

Not looking forward to it but will tape the tank and use the channel locks...YIKES!!!

HAve someone there to hold the bike and take it slow!

 

[Th3InfamousI]

If paint savers come up with it your in luck! now you can use any gas cap you want! However, my paint saver didnt come up and from what I have seen I think if paint saver comes up theres a clear coat issue!

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Im worried for you I was sweating bullets!

Just thinking about this more, if its truely stuck and wont budge drain the tank drop the petcock and let it sit for a few days that should bring the swelling down on the cap.

Mine I fucked up I had no choice, it wasnt stuck I was just an idiot and the cap would spin on the threads.

 

[woodbutcher]

instead of channel locks, how about one of those rubber band oil filter wrenches????? but use a whole roll of tape if you have to.

 

[Fibersnake]

I would recommend a strap wrench to grasp the outer edge of the cap and then slowly turn. Much better than a channle lcok and if doen right less chance of gougin the edge.

After you get it out, if you do not replace, I for one did sand a little on the threads of my cap and that help greatly. Just be careful for if you get too agressive on the sanding the heat will melt the threads and then even bigger mess.

Best to replace once you get it off, but the sanded thread do work. I have had mine for 7 years and still have one orginal cap and the other is was replaced (due to not tighten it down and loosing it, but that one has been on for at least 4 years.

 

[RRRUFF]

Ethanol is the culprit. You might try letting the bike sit still for several days then try to un-screw the cap. Be careful trying to force it off. The paint save may come off with the cap, if you are lucky it will not pull the paint off with it, but it could happen. The plastic threads will shrink if you remove it and let it sit on the work bench for a week or so. I have two caps and just swap them out.

 

[RICH32]

happened 2 me...I used those soft rubber mats that are used in a kitchen to open jars. worked for me.

 

[cpmman]

SUCCESS!!!!! the cap came off with channel locks.. I taped the tank really good then taped towels around it too. Then put tape on the channel lock jaws so not to mark the cap.

SLOWLY worked it inch by inck until I was able to spin it by hand which meant I had to use the channel locks for a complete revolution on the cap before it was hand loose.
Pain saver stayed in place!!

Now for a new cap.....yes!!

It was stressful...I will tell you that.

 

[cpmman]

I see the underside of the cap has a hex nut holding the plstic threads on. Can you get just the threaded part somewhere?

If not where is the best place to get a cap that fits..?

Not sure if the ebay one will fit...?

 

[TimNY]

Rick
Isn't it freezin in N.H. ?
I guess you want to put a few miles on the bike if you just got it.
Hasen't been above 32 last few days here in the mountains.BURRrrrrrrr.
Snowmobile season is in full swing !

Check Fee bay if not contact Big Dog Performance. Bob will hook you up.

 

[Big Mike]

SUCCESS!!!!! the cap came off with channel locks.. I taped the tank really good then taped towels around it too. Then put tape on the channel lock jaws so not to mark the cap.

SLOWLY worked it inch by inck until I was able to spin it by hand which meant I had to use the channel locks for a complete revolution on the cap before it was hand loose.
Pain saver stayed in place!!

Now for a new cap.....yes!!

It was stressful...I will tell you that.

Congrats getting the cap off. As you can see by the thread, this is a common problem on BDM's. You are lucky because sometimes the paint saver comes out with it. Mine did. Sanding the threads on the cap down a little helps this from happening in the future. I also would recommend some dialectric grease on the threads. Regular application of the grease also helps. You should be able to find it at any auto parts store like NAPA,

 

[BadBrad]

Just a note. If you want something with a little more bling, there are sponsors on this site that carry custom gas caps. I think bdmridgeback may be one of them. Use the search function and take a look at what else is out there.