Remove Broken Locking Gas Cap

Tiny
DREVEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 JEEP WRANGLER
6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual 24000 miles

The locking mechanism for my gas cap is broken. I insert the key the same way I've done for 3 years, but the tumbler just keeps spinning. I'm about to run out of gas. How do I get the gas cap off? HELP!
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Monday, March 31st, 2008 AT 1:25 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
WASHINGTONIANSTER
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  • 1 POST
I had the same thing happen to my '05. I got the dealership to replace the part with a regular gas cap sans locking mechanism.

--We managed to get the broken cap off, totally broke it.
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Monday, March 31st, 2008 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its a very scary business think! Spark and then Boom both will work. That was my option on the very begining but I bailed out-when it comes to fuel vapor I run and hide forget about the $$$$$$$$.

Good Luck
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Monday, March 31st, 2008 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
JWISSICK
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  • 1 POST
Easy to remove the old locking cap. Long wide tongue and grove pliers will remove the old locking cap with out risk of fire or damage.

Jeep OEM locking caps suck. I have had two go bad. Both in less than a year.
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
CLOUSEAU
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  • 2 POSTS
Well the factory locking gas cap finally refused to open for the second time just like has been reported by many. I called the dealer and did the Google thing, and the best answer to getting it off was break it off with a "honkin" pair of channel locks. When I try something like that I usually have collateral damage. After a little patient tinkering I was able to get it off and find the real easy way to remove it. With or without a key. Drill an 1/8" hole 1/2" from the edge and insert an ice pick or 3/32" drill bit (shank end) into the slots in the white ring and twist off. Doesn't ruin the seal on the cap so it can still be temporarily used until a new one is bought. Hope this helps others.
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Friday, May 16th, 2008 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
26FORDT
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After about two minutes to locate my drill, I tried Clouseau's technique and the cap came right off in about 10 seconds!
Upon further inspection from the back side, the half inch suggested distance is important. The drill should come through the slots in the white nylon ratchet just outside of the rubber seal. There does not appear to be any metal or chance of vapors in this section of the cap, so it should be safe. You only need to drill through the black outer layer; as soon feel the drill go in, the job is complete.
Thanks again to Clouseau on this great tip.
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Monday, May 26th, 2008 AT 10:23 AM
Tiny
COBO
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  • 1 POST
Thanks guys, the drilling of the gas cap worked pain free.
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
GREENDELTA777
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Clouseau's answer did the trick, once the 1/8" hole is drilled, I inserted a finishing nail. Wah lah. Opened up just fine, way better than a key. Nobody will figure this out. Hahahhaa. Thanks to Clouseau. My issue was on a 2006 Wrangler LJ.
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Great feedback. Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, September 14th, 2017 AT 3:14 PM

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