Fuel Filler Flap will not open!

[Roger]

Hi Folks,
I have not seen a reference to this any where, if one exists please point me there. I have a MY13 D4 and the fuel filler flap will not open, its the push to open type that normally works when the car is fully unlocked with the key fob. I have looked behind the scissor jack and around that jack cubby hole and I cannot see a release lever or pull to release cable. I keep tapping the damb thing like a wood pecker and it just won't open like it used to, and I am going to run out of fuel real soon, I have already had to leave a petrol (diesel) station because I could not open it or find a release. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Roger

[Roverlord off road spares]

Hi, Just checked microcat and there is no emergency release cable, so you may have to pull interior trim off and pull at the actuator cable.

Cheers,
Mario
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/957.jpg

[RHS58]

It's MY13 so you would surely still have access to LR Assist.
Dial the number and get them to come sort it.
That would be my strategy.

[Graeme]

IIRC the cable itself is pulled.

[JamesH]

It's MY13 so you would surely still have access to LR Assist.
Dial the number and get them to come sort it.
That would be my strategy.

Quite so.

I don't mean to be facetious or sarcastic at all; but this advice is the answer. An alternative would be to drive into the dealer, leave it and drive out with a Freelander borrowed while your car is fixed.

Now as someone who in 10 months will come off LR Assist (if I don't buy an extended warranty), I'd be very interested to hear what they did to fix the problem.

[jon3950]

I have had a problem with a sticky flap. It was just full of dust and needed to be cleaned out with compressed air. Doesn't sound like the same problem though because mine would eventually open after many attempts.

Cheers,
Jon

[Nomad9]

Hi Mario,
Timing is everything, I have a D3 which has obviously suffered from a stuck petrol cap, someone broke the pin and I suspect several other bits. I now have a flap that blows in the breeze which needs to be fixed. Could you PM me with some parts prices and availability please, basically everything from the solenoid. The cable end is knackered.
Cheers Marty.

[Roger]

Thanks Roverlord for the parts explosion pic. and everyopne else for the advice also. I will get LR to fix it. This is the first problem I have had with the car so the perma-grin remains . When I called LR Assist and they suggested pulling the release cable, they were as good as girly bits on a bull! as I have now discovered it did not have one! I have now managed to open it by doing the woody wood pecker taping routine whilst unlocking it (after I locked the car) via the remote - it opened, and I have no idea if this was a fluke or a real solution, I guess it was a fluke. I have now duct taped over the closure aperture to stop me closing it out of habit and I have booked into the local dealer for a repair.

[Boggs]

Hmm, my 14MY HSE D4 has no lock/latch on filler cover or lock on cap!
Maybe LR decided too troublesome? I wonder if petrol 14 MYs have anything... wouldn't fancy their chances of holding onto gasoline out in the western desert communities!

[RHS58]

Hmm, my 14MY HSE D4 has no lock/latch on filler cover or lock on cap!
Maybe LR decided too troublesome? I wonder if petrol 14 MYs have anything... wouldn't fancy their chances of holding onto gasoline out in the western desert communities!

Lock the car and try to open the fuel filler flap:)

[Roger]

Ha Ha ha- this is almost funny..... was at work today and one of my young staff members walks in and said to me, " I was walking past your car and saw your fuel flap was open so i tried to close it and discovered some tape was stuck in the closure and so I cleaned it out for you and now it has closed ok"......... grrrrrr nice work laddy, now I have to do the woody wood pecker trick again! 15 minutes of taping, and after it did pop open only for me to tap it shut before I could put the brakes on my damb quick taping hand, I managed to get it open a second time in the session and some how get my over zealous taping to stop just in time and not close it again. New strategy: Until I get to the end of week booking at the dealership, replace duct tape blocker to stop me closing it out of habit and place a sign on fuel flap cover to stop other well meaning people from "helping"!

[BobD]

Roger,


Mine does that on dusty roads. I just spray the mechanism on the car side of the latch with silicon spray every now and then when touring on dusty roads.


The first time it happened was at Docker River on the Great Central Road, at 11:55 with the 12 pm siesta about to start. I tapped like Woody Woodpecker and was just about to give up the tapping when it sprung open, just in time to fill up. Not good to wait 3 hours in that God forsaken place for the fuel station to reopen when we wanted to reach Yulara by night fall. After spraying it there and then, it was fine all the way to the Cape via every gravel road possible and then back to Perth.


It is a bit dusty again now and not opening perfectly so I will have to give it a spray soon.

[4evershiva]

i have come across this situation numerous time in my D3, all I do is lock and unlock through the key fob and then in one instance of lock press, it opens up.....it has worked every single time I have done this....

[Graeme]

Mine does that on dusty roads. I just spray the mechanism on the car side of the latch with silicon spray every now and then when touring on dusty roads.Time for some PM on mine - prevention vs cure.

[PeterOZ]

concur with shiva. My D3 does exactly the same. Simply go through the lock, unlock cycle and it opens.

[LeeThal]

I too have stood at a petrol station pump feverishly "locking & unlocking" the vehicle in an attempt to release to fuel filler flap :(:mad:.
I prodded and poked for 15 minutes and became so frustrated that I ended up giving in a good "thump" with the side of my closed fist :o ..... and low and behold the flap popped open :).
Since then I've had no further problem.
The lesson learned was to "maintain" the mechanism.

[LandyAndy]

Surely the product to be using would be graphite powder to lubricate the mechanism??? Anything else will encourage dust to stick.
Andrew

[BobD]

When you're at Docker River with Uluru being the closest human habitation for several hundred km you use whatever you have available! CRC doesn't seem to make the dust stick and works OK from my experience.

[LandyAndy]

Wasnt a shot at you Bob,please dont think it was.
Seen lots of people squirting CRC style products into locks,key barrels,etc etc etc.Any hydrocarbon product will attract dust.
Many dont know about a puff of graphite powder;);););).
Andrew

[BobD]

Why would I think you were having a shot at me? I was just stating the facts in a joking way, not taking offence! I just don't use smiley faces and things because I am too old school. Docker River is where mine went wrong the first time and CRC was all I had.


Just a question for you. The CRC seems to wash out the dust and let everything close properly, since it is all full of dust like every grease point on your grader. Does graphite do that as well? The last time I used graphite was on my electric train set about 50 years ago and I haven't even seen it since. I can't remember how it worked.


Thanks for the tip. I might see if I can get some.

[kero]

Should be able to get graphite powder from a locksmith ,that's where I got mine from.Kero

[Graeme]

Graphite powder is good for dry key locks but no good at flushing out dust from door lock mechanisms, only lubricating after they are cleaned. I use silicon spray - IMO it beats WD40 hands down for cleaning and lubrication although unlike WD40 its not stocked everywhere.

[LandyAndy]

Why would I think you were having a shot at me? I was just stating the facts in a joking way, not taking offence! I just don't use smiley faces and things because I am too old school. Docker River is where mine went wrong the first time and CRC was all I had.


Just a question for you. The CRC seems to wash out the dust and let everything close properly, since it is all full of dust like every grease point on your grader. Does graphite do that as well? The last time I used graphite was on my electric train set about 50 years ago and I haven't even seen it since. I can't remember how it worked.


Thanks for the tip. I might see if I can get some.

Hi Bob
With the greasing,dust sticks to the grease,but only the grease that is exuded from the joints,it cant travel thru the nipple into where the grease is lubricating.
For dry joints that need occasional lubrication,like mullboard slides,turntable and centre pin we use a dry film graphite.Its a spray paint that dries very quickly.Its a bit messy to use on vehicles,would be great for leaf springs etc.Its available from CAT parts sellers.
Graphite powder is available in a puffer bottle from any hardware store.
Andrew