S1 Petrol Cap

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:30 pm

Hey Guys,

This will make you laugh...I took the car round to the garage tonight for some petrol, and couldn't get the cap off!!

The car never came with a key, but I have managed to fill it up before, however this time it just spins round like on a ratchet, last time I pushed while turning & it came off...Any ideas please..?

Thanks in advance,
Pete

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:54 pm

Drill through the lock

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:08 pm

BiggestNizzy wrote:Drill through the lock

... watch out for the sparks

Try the ignition key in the lock?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:17 pm

Dominic wrote:
BiggestNizzy wrote:Drill through the lock
... watch out for the sparks

Try the ignition key in the lock?

Tha ali cap and brass lock?!?!

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:23 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:
Dominic wrote:
BiggestNizzy wrote:Drill through the lock
... watch out for the sparks

Try the ignition key in the lock?
Tha ali cap and brass lock?!?!

I dunno... I don't do technical.... just drive

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:28 pm

It's the factory fitted alloy cap, no key

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:29 pm

locksmith ? how much is a new one or one off fleabay ? or try jiggling it with anything it might go I imagine the lock is cheap crap anyway

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:38 pm

Screwdriver and hammer.

Might not work but you will have fun finding out...

Locksmith will have it apart in no time.

Scottd · Post by **Scottd** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:56 am

They are expensive £50+ IIRC and I'm not sure if you can even get them from Lotus any more! ?
Again IIRC the locks can go (I realise this isn't you problem) but there is some kind of replacement available. I remember reading about this years ago on the old BBS forum. A search on Seloc should turn up a solution (or even better, BBS, if you're registered you can search their archives all the way back to '96).

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:04 am

IIRC aren't they off jeep wranglers?

Dicey · Post by **Dicey** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:24 am

They sell them at Elise Parts £82!!!

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=681

First problem though is getting the old one off...

Mike

aberdeenelise · Post by **aberdeenelise** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:51 am

great I've been looking for a site to get me a new one!!!!!!

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:13 am

I find that brute force and ignorance usually work, although when it doesn't things tend to get expensive

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:56 pm

Thanks Guys,

I don't think the cap is locked, last time I filled up with gas, it came off ok, I then put it back on turning until the ratchet turned, now when I try to turn the other way to remove, it just spins like on a loose ratchet. I have never locked or unlocked the cap as far as I am aware.

I might try some other keys to see if one can give a turn just to see tho.

Cheers,
Pete

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:13 pm

when you turned it untill the ratchet started thats when you locked it.

drive round to a friendly locksmith he should be able to strip it and make a key.

or contact lotus they may be able to get a new key.

or meet lots of lotus owners and try there key

or smash it to bits and get a new one

I will try and pick the lock on mine tonight just to see how easy it is