Petrol Cover

[bomberh]

I have for the last week had an issue with my petrol cap. Even when the car is locked, the cover pops open whenever it feels like it. I have even closed it, been doing things near the car and watched as it just pops open of its own accord.

I now have the issue that it doesn't open at all now. I can press the opening button in the foot well, hear the noise of the cover opening, but it is still shut. The same for the manual release in the boot. I pull the handle, I hear the opening noise, but the cover stays closed.

I can't even put a plastic card down the edge as I have had the mod done and it will not be able to reach the catch to release it.

Any ideas why this has happened? I have contacted my dealer to ask to get it fixed, as I can't open the cover and fuel the car, so I can't even drive it!

What a pain

[Manwhoneverwas]

This is a common problem, when you press the electric release button the fuel flap is released electrically, but there is a small damper/strut which should lift the fuel flap up.
Over a period of time the damper/strut loses its ability to lift the flap.
I replaced mine on my Roadster and a new damper/strut is circa £30, the newer ones now come with a spring to add extra lift.
It is a relatively easy job to replace the damper/strut, the fuel flap on the Roadster is different shape from the coupe.

Inside the tailgate or boot on the left hand side there are a couple of access holes which allow a way of releasing the fuel flap without using the electric release.
Stick your finger through the access hole and there is a white plastic finger loop which is a manual release for the fuel flap, whilst doing this us a plastic card (credit card) to flip the fuel flap up.

The reason your flap is not holding in the closed position is probably because it needs adjusted slightly, which is what I did with mine when I removed the fuel flap to replace the damper/strut

Here is a link to the new part for reference, your AM dealer probably has them in stock

http://astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage/par...

[JimboA]

To help pop it open, you don't need to pry the latch with the card - usually the fact that it's in there helps it open when you push the release button - and there should be space for the card somewhere around the filler cap. Here's what I mean:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=149...

[bomberh]

Thanks for the advice. I did what you described and in the video and it didn't open. So I moved the card (Aston recovery card)further round to where the mechanism is and pushed it against the moded guider in the housing and it opened.

As I have the mod installed and the cap will not open as you have described, do you think it is the actual mechanism that is not working, i.e the little clip that sticks out that holds the catch on the actual cover?

[steveatesh]

Not sure if this is the mod you were referring to but my car was at the dealers recently and they said there was an upgrade available on the petrol cap mechanism free of charge, fitted by them.

Apparently AM have done something about the poor locking mechanism and redesigned it. My cap is much more solid now, the new mechanism looks more robust than the previous thing they used.

[petop]

Mine is at Works and along with the heated seat mod, the fuel cap is also being done. Speak to your local dealer about it.

[bomberh]

Thanks for the advice, but I've already had the upgrade to my fuel cap, this is why I'm asking about the actual mechanism.

It's annoying that even with the upgrade this is now giving me grief.

[Gmw76]

I have this issue after having the upgrade grrrrrrrrr
If i pull the emergency release whilst moving the filler flap then it springs open. My issue appears to be the fixed silver coloured spring deep behind the hinge side in the filler aperture. I have tonight bent that spring more towards the filler neck which puts more pressure on flap to open. I believe the recent upgrade was to catch not spring.

Mark