Fuel tank cap: classification, malfunctions, how to open without a key and code


Fuel tank cap device

The gas tank cap is a fairly important element of the car's fuel system. Its design is determined by the design of the neck and the characteristics of the fuel system. The covers differ in the following parameters:

  • by thread pitch;
  • by type of thread (external or internal);
  • by volume;
  • according to the depth of immersion in the neck.


Standard covers are screwed into the neck of the tank.
The design of the covers also differs. The simplest ones perform only one function - they close the tank tightly and hermetically. More complex covers have valve mechanisms, locks and coded locking devices. Valves allow you to relieve excess fuel vapor pressure, and locks prevent access to the tank for unauthorized persons.


The design of the fuel tank cap is developed individually for each car model

The gas tank flap on the car does not open: solutions

Many motorists are familiar with the situation when the fuel tank cap refuses to open.

Such a small thing, which few car owners pay attention to, can cause serious inconvenience if it is impossible to open it, especially if this happened right at a gas station, while the car has an empty gas tank. At such moments, some motorists manage to achieve their goal in various ways, showing incredible ingenuity, while others, on the contrary, may panic, especially if the service is far away

The gas tank flap often does not open in cold weather, but trouble also happens in warm weather. Despite all the working order of the mechanisms that drive the vehicle, the car will go nowhere until it is refueled, so if such a problem arises, you will have to take measures to eliminate it. Depending on the reason that provoked the situation, different ways to resolve the issue are used.

Reasons why the hatch does not open

If the gas tank hatch on a Volkswagen Polo does not open, this can happen for a number of reasons, which are listed in the table below.

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CauseNote
Electric drive failureThe malfunction can be eliminated only by dismantling the hatch and troubleshooting the electric drive elements
Castle freezingYou can get rid of the problem if you put the car in a heated garage. Silicone and penetrating lubricants, such as WD-40, will also help restore the lock's functionality.
Mechanical failure of the gas tank lock elementsIt is possible to return the hatch to working condition by replacing defective elements.

Pin jam

If the cover

does not open in the warm season, most likely this is due to the locking of the plastic pin. Many modern hatches are controlled from the interior using an automatic lever. The latter can “walk” with difficulty and remain motionless when lifted. Lid

in such a situation, it will not react to the driver’s manipulations, since it is in the closed position, held by its pin, which is released when the central lock is opened.

The problem is solved with the help of an assistant. You can ask the passenger to hold the lever from the passenger compartment, and press the hatch from the outside. As soon as the lid opens a little, the motorist must react and pick up the hatch. If there is no assistant, the lever can be fixed in one position with a driver's mat or other object. To avoid damaging the car's paint, it is recommended to wrap the screwdriver in a cloth.

How to Open the Gas Tank Flood of a Polo Sedan

Quietly draining gasoline from a Lada car at night has long been out of fashion among criminals. The age of advanced auto electronics is coming to the throat of criminal elements. And the point is not only in the difficulty of “extracting” a mineral from the depths of a gas tank, but in access to the target of interest.

We are talking first about the central locking, which blocks not only the car doors, but also the fuel storage. Now they hang it on virtually every foreign car. I parked the car, clicked the button on the remote control, and the mechanism immediately worked. I arrived at the gas station, removed the lock with the same press - the hatch opened.

Some “foreigners” even show off a modern drive that automatically opens the valve when entering a gas station.

Reasons for blocking the hatch

The Volkswagen Polo is equipped with a traditional gas tank hatch, which works perfectly in tandem with the central locking system. Activating the lock closes the “leaf” in the same way as pressing the driver’s button to close the doors. A similar principle is typical for other relatives of the “European” - Golf and Passat. Czech Skodas also have a similar operating system for the gas tank flap.

Unfortunately, not all owners of the Kaluga sedan know about such a “trick”. As a result, desperate drivers bring their “iron horse” with a broken drive to the dealer and pay considerable money to repair the device. Experienced water handlers are well aware of the little secret of the Kaluga masters and they know how to “bypass” the inconvenient protection of the central locking system.

The culprit of all minor troubles is the notorious drive, which blocks the gas tank flap. It is enough to turn it off manually and the life of the sedan owner will become much easier.

However, the catch may lie elsewhere. One of the main sources of trouble for many foreign cars is the harsh winters of our country. Well, heat-loving and pampered “Europeans” cannot easily survive the difficult climatic conditions of Russia. Even though they stuff them with various winter packages.

New fuel filler door lock for Polo Sedan

“Frostbite” of the gas tank flap lock is a standard situation for the Polo sedan. In difficult times, glass defrosters and various silicone lubricants often help.

Alternatively, you can use a traditional “Vedashka” to open the lock - what if? It’s great if there is a place where you can warm up the car.

But when the needle on the fuel gauge approaches zero, there is no other choice but to open the lock using improvised means. Naturally, this leads to damage.

Self-disassembly of the hatch

Before calling the service officials and asking how long it will take to replace the lock and drive, take the trouble to study the instructions below.

The work will take no more than half an hour, and the only useful tool is a six-beam TORX.

If there are no problems with the gas tank flap lock and there is only a need to rid yourself of unnecessary locking of the central locking system, then go straight to step 5.

  1. Open the lid.
  2. Remove the cap from the gas tank.
  3. Use a screwdriver to remove the single screw.

Use a sharp tool to pry up the rubber gasket and remove the casing along with all its contents: the hatch, the lid and the steam pipe.

We climb into the trunk and look for four clips along the edges. We pick up the casing and carefully unclip it from the rubber seal.

  • We approach the treasured connector that controls the electric drive, press the latches and disconnect the plug.
  • We pull the wire from the connector to the lock and remove the plug from the trunk.

  • We dismantle the lock and remove the cord.
  • To collect all the parts, perform all the steps in reverse order.

The new drive for the Polo sedan can be found in online stores. An original spare part from VAG will cost approximately 1800-2000 rubles.

How to prevent the gas filler door from freezing

To ensure that the tips described in the article do not have to be applied in practice, it is recommended to monitor the condition of the gas tank flap in winter. Before cold weather sets in, lubricate the hatch hinges and locking device with silicone grease to reduce the risk of freezing in subzero temperatures. In this case, it is important to use special consistency products that can be purchased at a car store. Drivers often lubricate the gas tank flap with WD-40, but such a procedure will not be effective.

It is also important to remember that after washing the car in the winter, it is necessary to thoroughly blow out with compressed air all holes into which water could get. These holes include all locks and grooves in doors.

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The process of removing the hatch

In order to remove the gas tank flap from a Volkswagen Polo car, you must refer to the instructions given below.

  • Open the lid.
  • Remove the cap from the gas tank.

Using a screwdriver with a six-point TORX bit, unscrew the self-tapping screw, which is shown in the photo below.

Carefully pry off the rubber casing with a flat screwdriver or wrench and dismantle it.

  • Remove the four clips from the luggage compartment.
  • Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the casing and, using gentle movements, unclip it from the seal.

  • Having gained access to the electric drive of the lock, disconnect the terminal block by pressing on its latches.
  • Pull the wire from the connector to the lock.
  • Remove the decorative plug from the trunk.

Remove the lock.

Methods for opening the gas tank flap on a Volkswagen Polo

The gas tank flap on a Volkswagen Polo can be opened in two simple ways. In the first case, the hatch cover must be carefully lifted from below. Then grab it with your hands and pull it down and towards you.

At a certain point, the gas tank flap will open. The disadvantage of this method is that if the lid is exposed to excessive force, it can be damaged and even severely deformed.

The second way is to open the hatch from the luggage compartment side. When using this option, the car owner must:

  • open the trunk;
  • unfasten the trim from the neck side;
  • pull off the casing;
  • disconnect the wire supplying the electric drive;
  • Apply a 12 V control signal directly to the lock.

What is not recommended to do

The following, seemingly effective methods, are possible to open the gas tank flap. Most of them are ineffective and can cause damage. Not recommended:

  • Open the hatch using force. In modern machines, most hinge elements are made of plastic materials. At low temperatures, all mechanisms become fragile. And with force they can crack, which will lead to damage to the gas tank flap and the need to replace it in the future;
  • Use screwdrivers. Sometimes motorists try to open the hatch with a screwdriver. This method can not only break the hinges, but also damage the paintwork;
  • Use boiling water. The effectiveness of this method is minimal, since it can only work in slight frost; if it is -10 outside, then using boiling water will freeze the hatch even more. Exposure to boiling water has a negative impact on the car's paint.

It is worth noting separately another method of solving this problem, such as opening the hatch from the inside. It is possible to remove the side trim of the trunk and open the hatch from the inside. This is far from the best method. This method is suitable when the lock or hinges are jammed; if you resort to this method, then in the future you will have to change the hatch.

What to do if the lock of the gas tank flap is frozen

On older cars, the gas filler doors are equipped with a lock. With strong humidity, moisture can accumulate in the castle itself, which, when frost sets in, begins to bind the castle itself. Almost all motorists have encountered similar problems, so a solution was found:

  • Use a special liquid. Every experienced driver has a special liquid for defrosting locks. Injecting it into the hatch lock, it begins to affect the icing, and after a couple of minutes the key will freely enter the lock and open it;
  • Heating the key itself. The key can be heated with matches or a regular lighter and inserted into the lock.

IMPORTANT! It is forbidden to use an open flame directly in the area of ​​the gas tank door, as gasoline vapors tend to accumulate there, which can lead to ignition

Opening the gas cap

In winter, drivers may encounter a situation where the tank flap at a gas station does not open to fill gasoline. The most likely cause is water getting on the hinges, locking mechanism or seals. The liquid freezes in the cold, preventing it from opening. If this happens, you can try to defrost the body part in several ways:

Drive the car into a warm box. Of course, it is possible to use this method when there is enough fuel in the tank to make a further trip. To open a frozen gas tank flap, it is enough to keep the car warm for 5-10 minutes. Use a hairdryer or other directional heater. An effective but difficult to implement method. The driver must have a heater and access to the power supply at hand

When using intense local heat, it is important not to damage the paintwork or the lid itself. Use heat from exhaust gases. Smoke from burnt fuel has a temperature at the outlet of the muffler of more than 100 °C

This heat is quite enough to warm up the frozen lid. The main task is to find a hose of suitable diameter. When warming up, remember that exhaust gases are toxic. Therefore, it is better to direct the smoke away from you.

In addition to gradual heating, a number of methods of force are used. This is how drivers first try to open the fuel filler flap. However, this only damages the paint or fragile parts. Forced opening methods:

  1. Prying off the cover with screwdrivers or other flat tools. With slight freezing, this method will be effective. But when the fixation with ice is thorough, parts can be damaged.
  2. Heating with boiling water. It would seem to be a very effective way to melt frozen moisture with hot liquid when the gas tank cap does not open. However, even if you manage to open the hatch, a sudden change in temperature will negatively affect the paintwork. It may crack or delaminate immediately or over time.

For your information! If the problem lies in jammed hinges, you can dismantle the inner lining of the trunk and warm up the hinges from the inside. Additionally, they are treated with an antifreeze liquid.

Detailed classification of gas tank caps

The motorist must understand that the cap is not just an element that blocks access to the tank. In a modern car, it also performs a number of other functions: it stabilizes the pressure inside the fuel tank, isolates gasoline or diesel fuel from the negative influence of the external environment, etc.

The fuel tank cap is an important functional element of the car.

The design of the element depends directly on the shape of the neck of the fuel tank. To the greatest extent, everything is determined by the diameter of the thread and the type (it can be external and internal). The depth of entry of the lid into the neck, volume, etc. also matters.

Structurally, covers are divided into several types:

  1. The first option is the simplest. The lid is equipped with a single function - isolating the fuel liquid from the atmosphere.
  2. The second option is a complex system equipped with valves. The latter ensure stability of pressure inside the tank.
  3. Lids with lock. In addition to their basic functions, they protect the fuel tank from unauthorized entry.
  4. Models with memory. Such covers are specially designed for forgetful motorists; they are connected to the tank neck or hatch with a chain.

The cover with a plastic holder or chain is specially designed for forgetful car owners

In addition, covers are classified according to the type of locking mechanism:

  • bayonet type, which close by changing the angle;
  • threaded;
  • shut-off, like on metal cans.

Bayonet and threaded caps are most often used. The first ones are easier to close and open, but they are rarely installed on passenger cars, mostly for tractors and trucks.

Threaded caps can be either internal or external threaded. The difference is in the location of the main and counter threads on the neck of the tank or the cylindrical surface of the lid.

Covers are also divided according to ventilation parameters:

  1. Valveless models are installed in fuel tanks that have autonomous systems for stabilizing pressure and capturing fuel vapors.
  2. Single-valve lids are equipped with tanks in which only a fuel vapor recovery system is used, but there is no separate stabilization system.
  3. Finally, lids with two valves are installed on tanks without autonomous systems. Their purpose is to stabilize the pressure when the gasoline level drops and to release fuel vapors.

Single-valve lids are most common these days. This is due to the design features of modern car models, equipped only with an autonomous fuel vapor recovery system.

Covers are also classified according to the type of theft protection:

  1. Standard options that do not have any protection.
  2. Models with a padlock suspended on special brackets.
  3. Lids with a conventional lock, the cylinder of which is vertically built-in.
  4. Code caps.
  5. Models with a lock that can be opened with the ignition key of a specific vehicle.

Standard covers have become more common because they are easy to install. However, recently there has been a demand for lids with combination locks. The padlock is practically out of use today. And covers with a lock that can be opened with the ignition key are found on some top foreign cars.

Fuel tank caps can also be classified according to the presence of additional components:

  • with chain or plastic connector;
  • with a special grooved handle for easy opening.

And finally, they can be metal or plastic, universal or designed for one car model.

How to open different lid models

Fuel tank caps can open in different ways. As a rule, this is easy to do on domestic cars, but on foreign cars it is much more difficult. To open the code hatches, you have to set the required ratio of numbers. In a word, as many models as there are so many ways of opening.

  1. A hatch that opens by pressing the corresponding button in the cabin.
    It is located either on the driver's side door or on the armrest. The gas cap control button is located on the driver's door
  2. A cover that can be opened using a standard remote control for the central locking system. In this case, the hatch wiring is paralleled with the door locks.
  3. A version of the hatch that opens with a lever with a picture of a gas station. The lever, like the button, is located on the threshold of the driver's door.
  4. Simple lids open by lightly pressing them until they click. Then, holding the notch, you need to pull the hatch towards you.

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The lid with a recess opens by pulling towards you

Most common reasons

The hatch opening mechanism is frozen

Cases often arise when a car owner arrives at a gas station in winter and the gas tank cap does not open. Most likely, we should assume that the hatch is frozen. More precisely, it is not the gas tank cap itself that freezes, but the mechanism that facilitates the normal opening (snapping) of the hatch. During the cold season, this small plastic pin under the hatch may not be recessed inside; due to the low temperature, it becomes stone.

This happens due to the fact that while the car is moving, the interior heats up significantly (compared to the ambient temperature), warm air spreads inside the car, entering the lid opening mechanism, on the back side of which is exposed to sub-zero temperatures. Due to this, moisture condensation forms on the hatch due to a significant temperature difference. The plastic pin located closer to the cold air slowly cools down after the air in the car’s cabin cools down; within a few hours, the resulting moisture turns into ice and the hatch opening mechanism freezes up and stops functioning normally.

Only local heating can help open the gas tank flap in such a situation; this helps to defrost the mechanism and restore functionality. To prevent such an unpleasant situation, it is necessary to treat the plastic pin of the WD-40 mechanism with a syringe through the rubber casing, then actively open/close the hatch several times.

Plastic pin stuck

However, there are situations when the gas tank flap does not open even in the warm season. The lever located inside the car can “move” very tightly, but when lifted, remain in the upper position. At the same time, the hatch may not respond to the car owner’s manipulations and remain closed. It should be noted that on the reverse side the gas tank cap is held in place only by a plastic pin, which is released when the central lock is opened.

If the hatch is stuck in the closed position, you can try to hook it in order to move it towards the car owner. In this situation, the driver can be helped by a passenger who will raise and lower the lid opening lever from the inside of the car. If there is no person nearby who can help, you need to move, for example, a driver’s mat close to the open lever, which can tightly fix the lever in one (open) position. Such manipulations should be carried out until the lid is opened at least slightly. The car enthusiast needs to react quickly and try to use a minus screwdriver to pick up and lift the stuck hatch. However, you must first take care of the paintwork of the car body and place a towel under the resulting gap.

After you have managed to open the gas tank cap, you should treat the mechanism with WD-40 or a silicone mixture.

The problem is in the gas cap that screws into the neck.

To understand how to open the gas tank cap, you should know the principle of this mechanism. It’s not very often that problems arise with a gas tank cap that screws into the neck, however, if something happens that it is not possible to open the cap because it has stopped unscrewing, most likely you will have to either disassemble it or break it. There is simply no other way to extract it completely.

To avoid unpleasant situations with opening the hatch, you should not come to gas stations with an empty fuel tank; it would be better if there is fuel left in the gas tank in order to get to a service center or box in case the gas tank still cannot be opened independently. .

Opening the lid without a key

If the gas tank flap does not open because the key used to open the lid is broken or lost, you will need a few minutes, a Phillips screwdriver and a self-tapping screw. Without a key, the gas tank flap is blocked, which prevents unscrupulous neighbors from “illegally” taking fuel. Using a screwdriver, you need to drive a self-tapping screw into the lid to unlock the lock, then open the lid. True, due to such actions, you will have to throw away the old cover and install a new one in its place.

Useful tips

In order to avoid such situations, you should have a small container of silicone in the trunk, which must be used to treat all seals after each wash. Such manipulation will allow the rubber bands not to deteriorate, and in addition, they will not freeze in the cold season.

If it turns out that you don’t have a can of silicone on hand, you can use ordinary motor oil, it is worth noting that there is no need to use it in large volumes, the fastener should be treated on the inside with only a few drops of oil in order to form a thin protective film.

Some car owners like to “test the strength” of their car and, if the hatch is stuck, they can hit the gas tank cap, however, such an action may not only not help, but also significantly aggravate the situation (in winter, a frozen cap can break). There is no need to rush in this matter, otherwise you can break or damage the frozen bracket for securing the hatch on the rotation axis.

If the lid is still frozen, you can try to warm it up. While at a gas station and unable to warm up the car, you can try to “melt” the frozen lid lock with your hands, a hairdryer or warm air.

There is one more nuance that professional technicians notice - in some car models, the gas tank cap may not open if the key is in the ignition and the car is started at the same time.

Common faults

When the vehicle is actively used, the fuel tank cap deteriorates. In any case, there is no need to panic, almost all problems are easily fixed, and sometimes the cover can be easily replaced with a new one. The list of the most common malfunctions includes:

  • freezing of the mechanism;
  • plastic pin stuck;
  • damage to the lock cylinder, etc.

Cover freezing

Freezing of the lid often happens during the cold season. The owner drives into a gas station to fill up and cannot open the tank. The hatch mechanism that maintains normal unlocking freezes. At low temperatures, the plastic pin hardens and is no longer recessed inside.

Freezing of the gas tank cap occurs as a result of the difference in air temperature outside and inside

Of course, this is not the fault of the automaker. The designers initially took care of the cover material at the development stage. In most cases, it is frost-resistant, but while driving the interior becomes very hot, hot air vapor circulates throughout the entire interior of the car, including the lid mechanism. The latter “presses” frost on the reverse side at low temperatures.

Thus, condensation forms on the lid. The pin is closest to the cold air. Moisture turns into ice, the hatch opening mechanism hardens, and the lid does not work well.

What to do? Obviously, the solution suggests itself. It is necessary to warm up the frozen parts, this will lead to the thawing of the mechanisms and their performance.

To open the hatch cover in cold weather, just spray hot water from a thermos on it. The ice will instantly thaw and the mechanism will open.

Pin jam

If the lid does not open during the warm season, this is most likely due to the plastic pin being locked. Many modern hatches are controlled from the interior using an automatic lever. The latter can “walk” with difficulty and remain motionless when lifted. In such a situation, the cover will not react to the driver’s manipulations, since it is in the closed position, held by its pin, which is released when the central lock is opened.

The problem is solved with the help of an assistant. You can ask the passenger to hold the lever from the passenger compartment, and press the hatch from the outside. As soon as the lid opens a little, the motorist must react and pick up the hatch. If there is no assistant, the lever can be fixed in one position with a driver's mat or other object. To avoid damaging the car's paint, it is recommended to wrap the screwdriver in a cloth.

If the gas tank does not open, you can carefully pry it off with a knife or screwdriver

Under the trim in the luggage compartment on some cars there is an electric drive designed for emergency opening of the gas tank in the event of a malfunction. It is usually closed by a lid. To open the hatch, you need to insert your index finger into the rectangular hole, feel for the pin and slide it in the opposite direction.

Thread breakage

If the lid is threaded, it is less prone to breakage. However, if this happens, it cannot be unscrewed; the tank can only be opened by disassembling or breaking it. There is simply no other alternative extraction method.

Owners of cars with such a cap are advised not to allow the fuel tank to become completely empty in case they have to drive to the nearest service station.

Emergency opening of the fuel tank flap

If the central locking system is faulty, the fuel filler door can be opened manually.

Side trim on the right in the trunk: emergency release device

The emergency release device is located under the side trim on the right side of the trunk.

  • Release the loop from the holder (arrow) and carefully pull it out. An emergency unlocking of the fuel tank flap is performed.
  • To open the fuel filler door, press the left side of the fuel filler door.

Pull the loop only until resistance appears (the unlocking sound is not heard). Otherwise, the emergency release device may be damaged.

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Cover repair

If the cover is subject to adjustment, it is removed and repaired. Most often, the hatch and the drive cable that controls the lid from the passenger compartment are replaced.

Replacing the hatch

The cover hatch was described in detail above.

It is supported on guides, which can easily be broken if careless. For example, on a Volvo car, the guides often break in these places

The antennae of the hatch break in these places

You can make homemade fasteners by re-drilling the holes with a thin rod, as shown in the photo.

Drill holes with a thin drill bit

And then screw in the bolts, cut off their heads, and bend them. The result will be perfect new mounts.

We bend the bolt and get the perfect fastening

Replacing the cable

To get to the cable, you need to open the car trunk, lift the trim from the side of the compartment (from the tank side), remove the plastic door sill moldings, under which the cable is routed.

We remove the plastic moldings to get to the cable

Next you need to do this:

  1. Under the rear seat trim there is a lever that is responsible for opening the lid. You can also see the bolt here. It should be unscrewed.
  2. Then pull the mechanism along with the cable towards you.
  3. Change the cable by removing it from the mechanism and install a new one.

Video: DIY cable replacement

As an important element of the fuel system and the entire vehicle, the gas cap deserves periodic inspection. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the car owner himself, who must be able to notice and correct faults in a timely manner.

Home → Maintenance and Repair → Repair →

Replacing the cable

To get to the cable, you need to open

car trunk, lift the trim from the side of the compartment (from the tank side), remove the plastic door sill moldings, under which the cable is routed.

  • Under the rear seat trim there is a lever that is responsible for opening the lid. You can also see the bolt here. It should be unscrewed.

  • Then pull the mechanism along with the cable towards you.

  • Change the cable by removing it from the mechanism and install a new one.

Video: DIY cable replacement

Being an important element of the fuel system and the entire vehicle, the cover

The gas tank deserves periodic inspection. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the car owner himself, who must be able to notice and correct faults in a timely manner.

Secrets of opening the lid without a key or code

Keyed cap models have become quite common these days. Most modern foreign cars are equipped with them. In addition to its basic functions, such a cover prevents unscrupulous neighbors from stealing gasoline from the fuel tank. But if the key is lost or broken, the owner himself will not be able to open the tank.

Fuel tank cap with key protects against theft

The design of such covers implies the presence of two parts: external (movable) and internal (fixed). They rotate relative to each other, preventing the lid from opening. The key acts as a lock for one of the parts; accordingly, by inserting it inside the cylinder, you can open the hatch.

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Here's what you need to prepare for quick and fruitful work:

  • self-tapping screw;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill.

Repairman actions

All work is carried out carefully and consistently:

  1. The cover is drilled in this place and a self-tapping screw is screwed in.
    This is necessary in order to connect both parts of the lid. Drill the cover in this place
  2. After screwing in the self-tapping screw to 75–80 percent of the depth, both parts of the cover are connected, and it can be unscrewed with your fingers.
    Unscrew the cover after screwing in the screw

The cap can now be unscrewed and screwed in without using a key. You can leave this matter like this and wait a while before replacing it. The cover with a self-tapping screw will perform its functions for a long time, but without a key.

Opening the code cover

There are also code covers. The principle of operation in them is similar to caps with a key. One part is movable with numbers, the second is fixed. The car owner, who knows the code, fixes the moving part of the cover in one position, for example, as in the photo - 5 and 11, and opens it.

Code cover installed on 5 and 11

In terms of reliability, such covers leave much to be desired. Especially those covers that are installed on VAZ cars. Imported models are made little better. Their disadvantage is that in a few minutes of painstaking selection you can open the lid by typing the code.

The cover code can be changed at any convenient time. To do this, you just need to consistently perform a series of elementary actions:

  1. From the back of the cover, remove the retaining ring using a screwdriver or other similar tool with a sharp pin.
    Remove the retaining ring from the back of the cover
  2. Next, remove the part of the cap that screws onto the neck of the gas tank.
    Part of the code cap that screws onto the tank neck
  3. Then you need to remove the springs and matrix retainer.
  4. Now you should remove the matrices.
    The code cover matrices are also removable

These same matrices are the details that create the code. In order for the lid to open, these two crescent-shaped notches must come together.

The half-moon notches should line up

They must be connected under this matrix, one hole of which is made large.

Large size code cover hole

To create a new code, you need to remove all matrices. Then you should set any code by turning the moving part of the cover. Reassembly is carried out carefully and carefully, so as not to forget to put all the dies, springs and cotter pins in place.

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