Hints on replacing a broken BMW E39 gas cap tether leash

Is this a common occurrence for a BMW E39 gas cap tether to snap?

Any hints to share before I attempt to fix this broken gas cap leash?

yeah dont use electrical equipment when filling petrol into your car....

That is probably the absolute last thing I would think of fixing on my car... then again, I've never lost my gas cap.

Post pics when you're done!

I wouldn't even bother fixing it. Seems like a wast of time. Mine doesn't have one to begin with and I've never lost it.

I never noticed one on my car either. Did they all have them? I'll have to check my car closer to see if there had been on at some point in time.

It bothered me when I got my car so I just bought a new gas cap on ebay for $10. It's the little things man....

Originally Posted by Mack

It bothered me when I got my car so I just bought a new gas cap on ebay for $10. It's the little things man....

What bothered you that yours did or did not have the strap? My '03 530 has one but I never really gave it much thought. I suppose they put the strap on so you don't drop the cap but I think I'd rather see the cap hit the ground versus the qtr panel.

My strap was broken when I got it. I can't just sit there and look at something broken everytime I gas up. It's like self preservation kicks in. Oh and if you're dumb enough to leave the cap off and it DOES have a strap, then yes you should feel the pain of it beating on your quarter panel. Tough love man...

Originally Posted by Mack

Oh and if you're dumb enough to leave the cap off and it DOES have a strap, then yes you should feel the pain of it beating on your quarter panel. Tough love man...

Actually I was saying if you drop it, not leave it off and drive off. Boy, that would be dumb!

LOL. Gotcha! And agreed.

Well, I was wondering if we could just buy the strap or if it's a more complete assembly. And, I was wondering how to remove and replace it.

On realoem, I couldn't find the BMW E39 gas cap strap in the "16 Fuel Supply" section which only had "Fuel Tank", "Ventilation", and "Fuel Feed" subsections.

Likewise, it wasn't in the "13 Fuel Preparation System", which contained subsections for "Fuel Supply", "Fuel Injection System", "Intake Muffler".

So, my first question is WHAT IS THE PART NUMBER for the fuel cap strap anyway?

Bluebee

I doubt it's sold separately. It came with my new gas cap.

It would be nice to see a picture of that 'cuz there's no mention of the gas cap tether strap in the realoem diagram I found for the BMW E39 2002 525i.

Besides, how does it install; does it just plug in?

Bluebee

I think the new cap comes with the strap.
Plus, I have heard that the old one goes bad and throws something off...
I can't remember the full story...
I will look it up, but, you should replace the whole cap.
It's only $15...
My strap just broke, and the cap is one if the MANY things added to my parts list to buy.
I buy several needed parts at one time, due to maintenance.

if its that important to you just tie it in a F**kin knot.
why would you be goin all the way to the dealer just to get a piece of rubber spaghetti.

Originally Posted by bluebee

It would be nice to see a picture of that 'cuz there's no mention of the gas cap tether strap in the realoem diagram I found for the BMW E39 2002 525i.

Besides, how does it install; does it just plug in?

Bluebee

IT comes with the new cap! WTF!!!?

Originally Posted by Mack

IT comes with the new cap! WTF!!!?

So far, we haven't confirmed where the strap comes from.
All we know, for sure, is that my 2002 E39 has the strap but the realoem site doesn't show it in the diagram, nor a part number for the tether.

Likewise, some have posted they have it, others posted it isn't there (no indication if there's a broken strap mount point for those that don't have it).

It would be nice to see some pictures of those E39s that don't have it (is the cap different or just missing the strap mount point???) ... and it would be nice to see a brand new E39 gas cap (to see how the strap is supposed to be mounted to the body of the car).

I'll guess it just plugs in somehow?

Originally Posted by bluebee

So far, we haven't confirmed where the strap comes from.

Seriously man? YES WE HAVE as I bought one and I told you it came with the strap already. Ok I'm done with this. Goodluck and Gooday!

Oh and here is the picture already from ebay.

I bought my car used and the strap broke the first time I filled the car. The strap got caught between the door and the body and sheared. I figured it would be easy to replace, but I have not found it.

The lanyard keeps you from putting the gas cap in the nozzle that do not have the locking trigger.
Has nothing to do with dropping the cap... It is all about preventing over filling, vapors , etc.
Cc

Dude, just buy a new gas cap. By the time you find the non existing single part, you would have had the problem fixed. If a $10 gas cap is too much for you to spend on your car, well then I think you may want to think about a different mode of transportation.

Originally Posted by Cancan

The lanyard keeps you from putting the gas cap in the nozzle that do not have the locking trigger.
Has nothing to do with dropping the cap... It is all about preventing over filling, vapors , etc.

The picture from Mack says it all but I have no idea what you're intimating here. The lanyard keeps you from putting the gas cap where????

In the nozzle that doesn't have a locking trigger? What is that?

If this made sense to someone, please clarify for me 'cuz I don't get it.

Donna

Originally Posted by bluebee

the picture from mack says it all but i have no idea what you're intimating here. The lanyard keeps you from putting the gas cap where????

In the nozzle that doesn't have a locking trigger? What is that?

If this made sense to someone, please clarify for me 'cuz i don't get it.

Donna

+1

The strap most likely keeps you from dropping it. I need a beer now.....if this thread is over!

Originally Posted by bluebee

The picture from Mack says it all but I have no idea what you're intimating here. The lanyard keeps you from putting the gas cap where????

In the nozzle that doesn't have a locking trigger? What is that?

If this made sense to someone, please clarify for me 'cuz I don't get it.

Donna

I think they mean the nozzle attached to the gas pump at the gas station. Notice how at full serve, the attendant can lock the trigger of the pump dispenser in place to fuel your car while he goes off to another car? Well at self serve you don't get a locking trigger so you have to stand there to pump it. Some people tend to put the gas cap in the trigger area to keep the pump going while they stare out into blue sky....