Gas cap door won't close tightly

Mac Hadley · Jan 18, 2012

1998 328i
The door to my gas cap won't close flush with the body. Has anyone experienced this, and if so, what is the fix. The door protrudes about an inch or so from the body.
Thanks,

ZeGerman · Jan 18, 2012

You need a new door spring.

Part number: 51171888374

Trailspice · Jan 18, 2012

Mine does this because the sheet metal got bent slightly, I've tried replacing the spring with no success, puting a different gas door on fixed it, but I haven't had it painted and I'd rather have a matching gas door that won't stay closed.

3B2M8WI · Jan 18, 2012

i have the same problem i replaced he spring and the problem was still there so i just put a magnet in there..:eeps:

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

the same thing happened to my previous e36.. what solved my problem and about two other cars with the same issue wad to spray some wd40 on the spring and related areas.. fixed the problem beautifully

Trailspice · Jan 18, 2012

........................ Why is this not ina sticky somewhere?.
I bought my car on the 6th of August 2010 witha flappy gas door, replaced thr spring and assumed it was FUBARed, this morning I read this, found a can of WD40, when it didn't spray I stabbed it with a chissel and drenched the spring area, now it works fine.
Do you know how many times I've heard "hey buddy, your gas door's open" in tje last year and a half?.

Sent from my FroyoEris using Bimmer

crisscross · Jan 18, 2012

I thought thats why you sold it......

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

No no no... You're confused with issue of the car being low on washer fluid.. Pissed me off beyond belief, so I sold it for whatever I can get for it :dunno:

:rofl:

crisscross · Jan 18, 2012

Oh right, and those neon zip ties clashed so much with the red radiator support..... you couldn't be seen in a car like that. :eeps:

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

No no no... It was a purple radiator support with a red nose panel.. It was just too much for my ego to handle

.. So I moved on to a car with a princess license plate to boost up my spirit :thumbup:

crisscross · Jan 18, 2012

:lmao: I couldn't remember, haha....

The princess plate frame is awesome :neener:

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

:rofl: its there to stay... Although the red nail polish that I used to paint the "princess" part is fading

jonesin · Jan 18, 2012

Next time you gotta clear coat it Sama. Then she'll stay purty for ya

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

I did :/

...with legit nail polish clear :lmao:

Mac Hadley · Jan 18, 2012

Thanks for your suggestions all. I sprayed the spring with white lithium grease, and the door closed.
However, I will save the part # for the spring, in case this spray was just a temporary fix.

ryder23 · Jan 18, 2012

New spring only cost about $1 at the dealer.. it will be the cheapest things you'll ever buy there

cmybimmer · Jan 18, 2012

:thumbup:

Joe__Sterling · Jan 19, 2012

:flipoff: :rofl:

96bimmer · Jul 29, 2012

Gas cap closing tightly

wd40 works! had the same problem and discovered the spring wasn't bent but was just sticking due to wear. grease the spring and if that doesn't work, it could be bent but a replacement is extremely cheap. easy and cheap to repair.

tchavera · Jul 30, 2012

i just use a magnet

Gas cap door won't close tightly

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