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  #1  
Old 06-23-2017, 06:40 AM
dmat dmat is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Union County, NJ
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Default Fuel Cap Stuck?

Hi All,

I just purchased a RV and the plane has been sitting for a couple of years. I was trying to open the fuel caps and I really needed to put some muscle into it when trying to get them off. It seemed as if there was a sticky film on the inside of the cap?

What could have caused this?

What can I use to clean it off without ruining the gaskets?

Thanks,
D
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  #2  
Old 06-23-2017, 06:57 AM
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bhester bhester is offline
 
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Thumbs up Fuel lube

Most likely it's fuel lube on the o-ring. You can clean it off with fuel. If you use fuel lube in the cold weather it is very hard to remove the caps also. I use a little vaseline to lube my.
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  #3  
Old 06-23-2017, 07:02 AM
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AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
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Default

There might be EZ Turn or Fuel Lube on them. It is commonly advised here to do so, but it is a bad idea, particularly when cold weather come around.

The technique for removing the caps matters also - lift the tab, push straight down on the tab, then lift up on the cap if you can get a fingernail under the edge.

They may be adjusted too tight also.

You could try spraying something like Tri-Flo into the nooks of the caps, it may fix the problem. I do this a couple times a year.

If not, you might want to dis-assemble them, and try to rub off as much of whatever glop is in there as you can. Perhaps get new O-rings (small one and large one). No common solvent will dissolve the stuff (if it is EZ or Fuel Lube), so wiping away is the only method.
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  #4  
Old 06-23-2017, 08:13 AM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexPeterson View Post
The technique for removing the caps matters also - lift the tab, push straight down on the tab, then lift up on the cap if you can get a fingernail under the edge.
This is KEY!
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  #5  
Old 06-23-2017, 09:45 AM
dmat dmat is offline
 
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Default

Thanks Gents!

I will try that later tonight when I get to the airport.

D
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  #6  
Old 06-23-2017, 03:16 PM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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Default

BTW, the nut on the bottom of the cap is not there to adjust the fit.

I fuellube my O-rings every Condition Inspection.
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  #7  
Old 06-23-2017, 06:23 PM
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jetjok jetjok is offline
 
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR View Post
BTW, the nut on the bottom of the cap is not there to adjust the fit.
Then how does one adjust the fit of the cap?
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  #8  
Old 06-23-2017, 06:53 PM
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AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
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The nut is a jam nut - the bottom piece is threaded. Loosen the nut, rotate the bottom piece as necessary, re-tighten the nut.
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  #9  
Old 06-24-2017, 09:43 AM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Location: Hubbard Oregon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR View Post
BTW, the nut on the bottom of the cap is not there to adjust the fit.

I fuellube my O-rings every Condition Inspection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexPeterson View Post
The nut is a jam nut - the bottom piece is threaded. Loosen the nut, rotate the bottom piece as necessary, re-tighten the nut.
Or maybe not.......

It all depends on the age vintage of the caps.

The earlier version of the caps did not have the lower plate of the cap threaded.
The adjustment was made by just turning the nut.
The older version cap also didn't have the white delrin plastic glide inserts for the o-ring to slide against, so that is an easy way to determine the version.
I think the were updated sometime in the early to mid 90's
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  #10  
Old 06-24-2017, 11:49 AM
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erich weaver erich weaver is offline
 
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmat View Post
It seemed as if there was a sticky film on the inside of the cap? What could have caused this?What can I use to clean it off without ruining the gaskets?
Fuel Lube, aka Easy Turn, as others have indicated. Avgas will NOT dissolve it. It's there to keep the o ring lubricated, so no reason to remove it unless it is all over the place and a nuisance to you.

Erich
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