Had a small problem today

Jason 306 · 03-10-09, 05:12 PM

Got the Z out today for the first time in a few months. Man I've missed this thing! The RC51 will go down the road long before I ever get rid of my Z!

Anyway, I went to fill the tank up and I couldn't get the gas cap open!

I pushed down on the cap while twisting the key, twisted the key until it felt like it was gonna break, tried just about everything. The thing would just not unlock, it was almost like it was the wrong key the way it acted.

Well fortunately I was able to make it back home where I unscrewed the allen head bolts around the cap. I knew this still wouldn't allow me to pull it off, but it would let me shimmy it around a little bit just in case it was just seized up somehow underneathe. Turns out, it was. Last time I filled up was probably 3 or 4 months ago (maybe longer), and I suppose going that span of time without being opened everything got stiff and seized. So after moving the cap all around and twisting the key at the same time, the thing finally opened.

I made sure I sprayed some Rem Oil down in the keyhole but I don't think that was the problem. I think the tabs on the cap that lock into the gas tank just somehow got fused with the tank a little bit, making it stubborn to unlock. I thought about spraying a little bit of Rem Oil on them, but didn't want any dripping inside my tank.

So I guess I'll just have to make sure I open the tank up maybe once a month or so during the winter...I think you should too!

motorbum · 03-10-09, 05:35 PM

that happened to me too a few weeks back. now i very gingerly turn the key and push down on the cap. i think there is a thread on here somewhere, seems common. guys were talking about graphite lube or something.

Dri Slide Graphite Lubricant is the name.

masalma · 03-10-09, 06:04 PM

used to happen a lot to me but a squirt of WD40 everyonce in a while does the trick.

Shabbernigdo · 03-10-09, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masalma

used to happen a lot to me but a squirt of WD40 everyonce in a while does the trick.

yeah i do the same thing and have never had a problem.

just stick the little wd40 tube in the key hole and spray for a second or so then open up the cap and look at the 2 little metal retracting catches and make sure they have wd40 on them too and it should all work good.

also when you fill up with gas dont over fill it till the gas is in the tank neck. the gas seems to disolve away the wd40 leaving the lock parts / internals un protected.

whitebread · 03-10-09, 08:50 PM

I'm soooo glad I live in Texas and the Z gets filled every week!!

I'm with malsama on the WD40 tip. That stuff is amasing..

SFTripod · 03-10-09, 09:27 PM

.....luv that helmet on your avatar.

ballsdeepracing · 03-10-09, 10:10 PM

This used to happen to me all the time, so I took it to the dealer and they couldn't figure it out either so I ordered a new gas cap. after almost a month of problems, and carrying around an allen key just in case I got the new cap, and wouldn't you know it my old one started working again and I haven't had a problem since. great waste of $70

jsmith8008 · 03-11-09, 12:49 AM

Yeah I fill up frequently enough to keep it unstuck, but I'm sure WD40 could always help. I spray WD40 on my wounds. Its very versitle.

ballsdeepracing · 03-11-09, 08:27 AM

any problems with getting WD-40 in with the gas?

Black Sheep · 03-11-09, 08:49 AM

WD40 is good stuff, but I wouldn't use it in the keyhole... over time it will attract dirt and gunk up... graphite lube is better for locks.

Rhinotheking · 03-11-09, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

WD40 is good stuff, but I wouldn't use it in the keyhole... over time it will attract dirt and gunk up... graphite lube is better for locks.

+1...keep wd40 away from keyholes you guys!

JAMBO · 03-11-09, 09:54 AM

Hey Peter man! Watch out fur yer keyhole buddy.

Crystal Z1K · 03-11-09, 09:58 AM

Well this is the first winter I have had the Z and let it sit. I'm going to go home tonight and make sure my fuel door opens, before I need gas and can't get it in.

Black Sheep · 03-11-09, 10:21 AM

Did I say something funny...

jabeez · 03-11-09, 10:26 PM

not exactly, but JAMBO did, heh heh, good stuff man, could you at least pretend we can't hear each other through the walls?!?!?

03-10-09, 05:12 PM	#1
Jason 306 Supreme Being Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newark, Ohio Posts: 1,098	Had a small problem today Got the Z out today for the first time in a few months. Man I've missed this thing! The RC51 will go down the road long before I ever get rid of my Z! Anyway, I went to fill the tank up and I couldn't get the gas cap open! I pushed down on the cap while twisting the key, twisted the key until it felt like it was gonna break, tried just about everything. The thing would just not unlock, it was almost like it was the wrong key the way it acted. Well fortunately I was able to make it back home where I unscrewed the allen head bolts around the cap. I knew this still wouldn't allow me to pull it off, but it would let me shimmy it around a little bit just in case it was just seized up somehow underneathe. Turns out, it was. Last time I filled up was probably 3 or 4 months ago (maybe longer), and I suppose going that span of time without being opened everything got stiff and seized. So after moving the cap all around and twisting the key at the same time, the thing finally opened. I made sure I sprayed some Rem Oil down in the keyhole but I don't think that was the problem. I think the tabs on the cap that lock into the gas tank just somehow got fused with the tank a little bit, making it stubborn to unlock. I thought about spraying a little bit of Rem Oil on them, but didn't want any dripping inside my tank. So I guess I'll just have to make sure I open the tank up maybe once a month or so during the winter...I think you should too! __________________

03-10-09, 05:35 PM	#2
motorbum Rising Star Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 491	that happened to me too a few weeks back. now i very gingerly turn the key and push down on the cap. i think there is a thread on here somewhere, seems common. guys were talking about graphite lube or something. Dri Slide Graphite Lubricant is the name. Last edited by motorbum : 03-11-09 at 09:06 AM.

03-10-09, 08:50 PM	#5
whitebread Rising Star Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: A constant state of 2-wheel flux! Posts: 433	I'm soooo glad I live in Texas and the Z gets filled every week!! I'm with malsama on the WD40 tip. That stuff is amasing.. __________________ '03 Z1K- ZX636/ZX9/ZX10/R1/home-made junk, no bling, some other crap, in progress..

03-10-09, 09:27 PM	#6
SFTripod Rising Star Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 448	Whitebread.... .....luv that helmet on your avatar. __________________ Floats like a butterfly, & stings like a Z!

03-11-09, 12:49 AM	#8
jsmith8008 Site Elder Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ballard, Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 800	Yeah I fill up frequently enough to keep it unstuck, but I'm sure WD40 could always help. I spray WD40 on my wounds. Its very versitle. __________________ ZR1000B7F Pacific Northwest Riders.com www.pnwriders.com Washington Sportbikes.com www.washingtonsportbikes.com

03-10-09, 06:04 PM	#3
masalma Rising Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282	used to happen a lot to me but a squirt of WD40 everyonce in a while does the trick.

03-10-09, 10:10 PM	#7
ballsdeepracing Site Elder Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beautiful Coeur d'Alene, ID Posts: 580	This used to happen to me all the time, so I took it to the dealer and they couldn't figure it out either so I ordered a new gas cap. after almost a month of problems, and carrying around an allen key just in case I got the new cap, and wouldn't you know it my old one started working again and I haven't had a problem since. great waste of $70

03-11-09, 08:27 AM	#9
ballsdeepracing Site Elder Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beautiful Coeur d'Alene, ID Posts: 580	any problems with getting WD-40 in with the gas?

03-11-09, 08:49 AM	#10
Black Sheep Site Elder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Posts: 947	WD40 is good stuff, but I wouldn't use it in the keyhole... over time it will attract dirt and gunk up... graphite lube is better for locks. __________________ 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Diablo Black Metallic \| Clear Alternatives Integrated Taillight - Smoke \| Decals, Badging, and Reflectors Removed \| Blacked Out Side Panels \| Motrax Bar End Mirrors \| OEM Solo Seat Cowl \| Puig Rear Hugger \| Motivation Frame Sliders \| Rizoma Case Sliders \| K&N Air Filter \| PCIII \| R6 Exhaust Mod (inverted) _______________________________________ North Carolina riders check out: NCSportbikes.com - By the Rider \| For the Rider

03-11-09, 09:54 AM	#12
JAMBO Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6	Hey Peter man! Watch out fur yer keyhole buddy.

03-11-09, 09:58 AM	#13
Crystal Z1K Supreme Being Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Streetsboro OH Posts: 1,399	Well this is the first winter I have had the Z and let it sit. I'm going to go home tonight and make sure my fuel door opens, before I need gas and can't get it in. __________________ 08 white Z1000. Scorpion CF ovel slip on's Targa fender Elim with LP Stinger LED turn signals. CRG 3" Hindsight mirrors. Reflectors removed. Custom black Front seat with orange K. Rear seat strap removed. 2007 HD Sportster 1200 50th Ann # 674 of 2000. Too many mods to list.

03-11-09, 10:21 AM	#14
Black Sheep Site Elder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Posts: 947	Did I say something funny... __________________ 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Diablo Black Metallic \| Clear Alternatives Integrated Taillight - Smoke \| Decals, Badging, and Reflectors Removed \| Blacked Out Side Panels \| Motrax Bar End Mirrors \| OEM Solo Seat Cowl \| Puig Rear Hugger \| Motivation Frame Sliders \| Rizoma Case Sliders \| K&N Air Filter \| PCIII \| R6 Exhaust Mod (inverted) _______________________________________ North Carolina riders check out: NCSportbikes.com - By the Rider \| For the Rider

03-11-09, 10:26 PM	#15
jabeez Up-And Comer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 53	not exactly, but JAMBO did, heh heh, good stuff man, could you at least pretend we can't hear each other through the walls?!?!?

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