Fuel filler cap frozen stuck - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

ndog14 · 01-15-2012, 10:14 PM

So yesterday I went to the gas station to fill up. The station is only 2 minutes from my house. I go in and hand the cashier the money and tell him the pump. I go back out and try to open the filler cap. It's stuck. I try opening it for 10 minutes, nothing. The lock actuator is frozen, my car sat outside overnight. I try pulling the emergency cord but nothing. I went in and explained the situation and got my money back. I went back home to get a heat gun. By time I get home the actuator unfreezes. Lesson learned, let the car heat up so the actuator works.

e90n52b30 · 01-15-2012, 10:17 PM

Cool story?

ndog14 · 01-15-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90n52b30

Cool story?

I AM BEING HELPFUL

Njprince0226 · 01-15-2012, 10:52 PM

You're supposed to let your car heat up. Especially if its cold out.

e90n52b30 · 01-15-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndog14

I AM BEING HELPFUL

Haha just yanking your chain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Njprince0226

You're supposed to let your car heat up. Especially if its cold out.

What does that have to do with the fuel filler cap? Also, according to the manual, you don't need to warm up the car.

It's better to let the transmission and engine heat up together.

Chriztofor · 01-15-2012, 11:29 PM

I think the OP means fuel filler door NOT cap. Warming up the car has nothing to do with that. Also, i would't use a heat gun near the FUEL filler cap or door or anything else that has the word fuel in its name.

bsamoul · 01-15-2012, 11:39 PM

Blow on it :P

e90n52b30 · 01-15-2012, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

I think the OP means fuel filler door NOT cap. Warming up the car has nothing to do with that. Also, i would't use a heat gun near the FUEL filler cap or door or anything else that has the word fuel in its name.

True. But neither have anything to do with warming the car up.

Chriztofor · 01-15-2012, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90n52b30

True. But neither have anything to do with warming the car up.

Agreed.

ndog14 · 01-16-2012, 01:32 AM

Door. I meant door. And what's so bad about using a heat gun like that? I'm not asking this with a hick tone like a mechanic using zip ties. The amount of heat being applied is just enough to melt ice, not ignite gasoline.

335Newbie · 01-16-2012, 08:13 AM

My winter prep calls for shot of white Lithium grease in all hinges, even gas cap door. I also keep a small bottle of lock de-icer in the glove box. Of course this wont help if my doors are frozen shut, but to help prevent that, I periodically treat all the rubber door gaskets with "Gummi Pflege Stift". Just my 2 cents.

01-15-2012, 10:14 PM	#1
ndog14 Banned Drives: E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,746 iTrader: (0)	Fuel filler cap frozen stuck So yesterday I went to the gas station to fill up. The station is only 2 minutes from my house. I go in and hand the cashier the money and tell him the pump. I go back out and try to open the filler cap. It's stuck. I try opening it for 10 minutes, nothing. The lock actuator is frozen, my car sat outside overnight. I try pulling the emergency cord but nothing. I went in and explained the situation and got my money back. I went back home to get a heat gun. By time I get home the actuator unfreezes. Lesson learned, let the car heat up so the actuator works.
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01-15-2012, 11:29 PM	#6
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,476 iTrader: (1)	I think the OP means fuel filler door NOT cap. Warming up the car has nothing to do with that. Also, i would't use a heat gun near the FUEL filler cap or door or anything else that has the word fuel in its name. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

01-15-2012, 11:39 PM	#7
bsamoul Major General Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California Posts: 7,414 iTrader: (2)	Blow on it :P __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com

01-16-2012, 08:13 AM	#11
335Newbie Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335i Montego Blue E92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 209 iTrader: (0)	My winter prep calls for shot of white Lithium grease in all hinges, even gas cap door. I also keep a small bottle of lock de-icer in the glove box. Of course this wont help if my doors are frozen shut, but to help prevent that, I periodically treat all the rubber door gaskets with "Gummi Pflege Stift". Just my 2 cents. __________________ ZPP, ZSP, NAVI, STEP, PADDLES, CA, PDC, HEATED SEATS, debadged, painted reflectors, plate frames, & keyhole cover, GP Thunders 8500 angels & fogs, Euphoria 6K High Powered Interior LED's, pearlescent E-brake handle, and mud guards, Split Second Turbo Tuner.

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01-15-2012, 10:17 PM	#2
e90n52b30 Banned Drives: '06 AW E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 120 iTrader: (0)	Cool story?

01-15-2012, 10:52 PM	#4
Njprince0226 First Lieutenant Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 344 iTrader: (0)	You're supposed to let your car heat up. Especially if its cold out.

01-16-2012, 01:32 AM	#10
ndog14 Banned Drives: E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,746 iTrader: (0)	Door. I meant door. And what's so bad about using a heat gun like that? I'm not asking this with a hick tone like a mechanic using zip ties. The amount of heat being applied is just enough to melt ice, not ignite gasoline.