spxChrome

Hey Guys,

The other day the little hinge broke from inside the Gas Cap door. I went ahead and filled the car up with gas. But now I am out of gas and went to fill up again today but can not get the gas cap door open. The button inside the car and the little pulley in the trunck will not open the door. Anyone have any suggestions I been riding on a red light for a few miles and now I am stuck. I could pry it with a screwdriver?? But don't want to chip the paint. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

of course you need to replace the spring hinge, but you knew that.

Without the spinge hinge the door doesn't "pop" when you hit the button. The lock will release but the door doesn't move. To get it open you need to have something that will open the door while you hit the button or pull the handle in the trunk.

I have used in the past:
1. a q-tip. inset the q-tip in between the door and the body of the car. have someone hit the button while you use the soft end to apply pressure to the backside of the edge of gas fill door to get it open. The soft end will bind up behind the door and push it ajar just enough for you to get a finger on it.

2. Safe release masking tape. use it to stick to the door, hit the trunk button or pull the handle. Use the tape to open the door. The safe release tape will peel off very easily from the paint and not leave any residue nor will it harm the paint.

steviej

spxChrome

Thanks Steviej,

That worked like a champ.

Romadoc

Had the same problem today. The friendly Lexus dealer charged a total of $6.50 to change the broken spring.

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

$6.50 is cheaper than a handshake there Most handshakes get you $50k in debt

George Hsieh

are you for real????? cause the last time I went check they told me that I have to change the whole fuel door.. . it's not going to be $6.50 in my case...





George

Romadoc

According to my bill from Hennessy Lexus 5880 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

part number: 77360-33020 spring assy, fuel
List. $6.07
Tax 0.43


Total: $6.50

There was also a bin location: A2A4

slick20

untill you able to get the door spring fixed,i have away to make this a one person operation.all you need is something to put under the relase lever to hold it up. you can than take yuor thumb and push on the left side of fuel door where hindge is door should come open.

spxChrome

Well it only took 1 year and 2 months but I got this fixed last week. Cost me $4 and they installed it for free.

d1bartelt

You can also use a small binder clip as a spring.
Watch this video on how to do it:

Chuckinnj

Grab one of those SMALL black spring clips with the foldable handles (used for paper clips) and clip it to the upper area of the fuel door with the handles open.......... Works great!

crwys

Lmao one year and two months.

Isn't there a lever you can pull in your trunk that opens the tank? My 1999 Lexus ES300 has one. Or would that not work if the button is broken? (I've never had to use it or know how it works, I just know it opens my gas tank)

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

The OP said that he tried that with no luck. The problem is not in the locking mechanism, but in the spring that pushes the door ajar.

wkp

I used superglue on the clip and held it in place with blue tape and let the glue dry overnight. All good.

JohnOlson

Open the trunk. Check behind the fuel door inside the trunk. Pull the handle dangling from a cable specific to this issue, maybe behind the Furst Aid kit. Close trunk. Fuel.
Drive away.