Tech: Locking gas cap & cap holder problem solutions

[Mr.DJ]

Well, today I went to my Chrysler dealer and purchased a locking gas cap (part #05278655AB) for $15...looks and works great. They also had a different locking gas cap (part #5015636AB) which can be keyed that same as your '300 series' key, but that cap ran $40 + an additional $25 to have it keyed the same as the 300's key. Since I felt that $65 was just too much money for the convenience of only having to retain one key, I saved fifty bucks and opted for the $15 route. I simply don't mind having to carry an extra key for the gas cap, and besides, both gas caps look exactly the same (sans the plastic tether which comes on the more expensive version which I wouldn't need to use anyway).

I also solved the problem of always having been forced to allow the gas cap to simply dangle against my freshly waxed paint during refuels. I found a stainless steel spring clip (from an inexpensive 'aftermarket' visor vanity mirror left over from one of my other vehicles) in my tool box 'junk drawer'. One end of this clip just happened to slip into the fuel filler door's sheet metal fold-over gap, and since it's spring steel, it's stout and won't pull out. The other end is hooked enough to slip into the cap's lip area and easily holds my fuel filler cap while it rests against the open fuel filler door (ref. attached photos). Also, the clip doesn't get in the way when closing the fuel filler door, and since it's stainless steel, I'm sure that it won't rust either.

It was a simple solution to an irritating problem, and it didn't cost me a thing.

The money I saved on purchasing the less expensive fuel filler cap was applied toward front and rear '300 series' OEM molded splash guards (part #82208031 & #82208032 respectively) which cost me $76 for the complete set or four. I also purchased four cans of PXR (Brilliant Black Chrystal Pearl) OEM paint at $8.30 per can, which will be used to paint the exterior portion of the splash guards (with some paint hopefully left over....just in case).

I hope that maybe these ideas might help some other forum members who just might be facing the same dilemma.

[marlinspike]

Does the fuel filler door not have a lock on these cars?

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by marlinspike

Does the fuel filler door not have a lock on these cars?

That's a negative.

[marlinspike]

Wow, I'm very surprised. Even the SRT8 version?

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by marlinspike

Wow, I'm very surprised. Even the SRT8 version?

That's a big 10-4.

[II kings 9:20]

Here is my solution, works like a charm. In the original gas cap holder thread a member (modesty prevents me from saying who) posted a solution using a magnet in the inner fuel door to hold the cap. I found that tiny particles of magnetic debris stuck to the paint and had to be clayed off. I now use the locking cap tether and reversed it's attachment and utilized the upper inner hole, and use the rubber stop to suspend the cap in air. I got this idea from a 300 brother in the original thread.

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by marlinspike

Wow, I'm very surprised. Even the SRT8 version?

A locking door is really a false sense of security, often a plastic or thin metal pin is all that "locks" the door. An airplane legal fingernail file is all that is needed to pop this very inadequate lock. Yes, it prolly would cause the pre teen to move on to the next car if he did'nt have a screw driver on him (I'm sure not a boy scout otherwise he would have been preparred). A locking cap is much better, still though it should have been included on the car. No piont in making it easy for the juvinile delinquent.

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by II kings 9:20

A locking door is really a false sense of security, often a plastic or thin metal pin is all that "locks" the door. An airplane legal fingernail file is all that is needed to pop this very inadequate lock. Yes, it prolly would cause the pre teen to move on to the next car if he did'nt have a screw driver on him (I'm sure not a boy scout otherwise he would have been preparred). A locking cap is much better, still though it should have been included on the car. No piont in making it easy for the juvinile delinquent.

The one on my 20 year old Benz is a 10mm diameter bolt. I dunno, the more I see of this car (that looks like a pretty cheap gas cap, and it's pretty cheap to not have a bracket for holding the cap) the less keen I am on egging my dad to get an SRT-8...BUT the thought of a car as big as my 20 year old Benz but doing 0-60 in under 5 seconds is VERY VERY enticing and makes me quickly overlook these little things.

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by marlinspike

The one on my 20 year old Benz is a 10mm diameter bolt. I dunno, the more I see of this car (that looks like a pretty cheap gas cap, and it's pretty cheap to not have a bracket for holding the cap) the less keen I am on egging my dad to get an SRT-8...BUT the thought of a car as big as my 20 year old Benz but doing 0-60 in under 5 seconds is VERY VERY enticing and makes me quickly overlook these little things.

Are you sure 10mm, that's a cm which is more than 1/3 inch, that is a very thick pin. My 87 300E had what looked like a 3mm pin, even a 10mm pin is easy to pop with a screwdriver. Virtually all of today's cars with thin metal are easy prey, it's not the pin, it's the anchor or slot the pin goes into. Kinda like the chain on your front door. It may not break but those few tiny screws in the base plate screwed into the casing and the door will pull out with the chain intact from a swift kick from any Florsheim Wingtip Imperial Brogue (or Nike).

[marlinspike]

Um, I'm guesstimating the 10mm, though I don't think it's far off (I'm looking at a ruler and relying on my memory since the car's at the body shop). It's thicker than a bic pen. Maybe 8mm is more accurate.I also don't know how easy it'd be to pry the door open since it's made of fairly tough thick steel. I think it's one of the benefits of having the last Mercedes that was built then priced instead of vice-versa (the S and the E of the 80's are worlds apart.). Though I guess to be fair to the 300 my 20 year old Benz was also $50k in 20 years ago dollars, and only has a 3.8 liter. Yeah, I think I'm still going to push for the 300 SRT-8 and I think my dad is leanign that way too since. Aw man Mark Martin just lost control, dang it...ok sorry about that OT part but that ticked me off.