The locking gas cap on my 63 rambler decided to get stuck today. Any ideas on how I can get this off WITHOUT ruining the cap? I have the key, it's worked many many times before. I sprayed the lock with wd40. Here's some old pics of when it was off the car
Locksmith............... or, do you know someone that can pick locks? First though, push hard on the cap and then try turning the key while the cap is held down.
Does the lock cylinder turn with the key? If not, I agree with spraying lots of WD40 into it, and wiggling the key rapidly this way and that, tilting one way then the other, pulled out a bit etc. I used to subscribe to the "only use graphite powder in locks", but in recent years have been washing them out with WD40 with excellent success. I've found the biggest cause of problems is being gummed up with dirt, and powdered graphite doesn't remove that.
If the key is turning you might try pushing in on the cap to see if there is too much tension on the lock arms for lack of a better term to allow them to release. You might turn counter clockwise when you push as most of the filler necks have a slight grade to them to help pull down a regular cap.
If it's not working, then it might be ruined already. I can't feel how it's behaving when its "stuck". I don't know if the key is turning, or if you feel resistance when turning the key, or it turns freely where it used to act like it was spring loaded, etc. Answers to some of these questions might direct us in what advice to give you. bottom line, if finesse doesn't work, use brute force and destroy the cap, while not injuring the filler neck. And get a non-locking cap for it..
K turns out now for whatever reason it will only open if the key is pushed in half way and you cuss a few dozen times. I'm in the market for a stock no lock 63 classic/ambassador gas cap if anyone's got one.
Do NOT put the locking one back on in the mean time, even if you think you now know how to get it open.
Sounds like the key or lock is worn . Take it to a lock smith and get it repaired . bet it won’t be much more then the price of a nos cap
I have an old locking gas cap off a Dodge that still functions, even has a key yet. Don't know if it will fit you car, but with it being a Rambler, it might work. PM me.
@Greenblade Hold the lock "door" open with a needle, and spray inside it with electrical contact cleaner and allow it to dry [a couple of times] If you must lube it, use a light puff of graphite powder. WD40 and CRC are the worst thing for locks Now try it! if that doesn't work then try the "Bump Key" approach [you don't need to make a bump key because you already have a working key] To Bump it, You dont insert it all the way in [pull it out approx 1/8"] and apply gentle twisting pressure to try and open the lock. AND while applying this pressure smack the back of the Key with a plastic screwdriver handle I have opened plenty of locks using this method [A car dealers occupational hazard of locking keys inside] For educational purposes only
A Place I worked at, the boss's son was a car 'flipper' and other deals for profit One day I witnessed him try to open a lock without the proper key. His hand, after going thru all the obvious motions of trying and retrying, started to shake up and down, in out violenly swinging his arm left and right. Then in a circular motion shaking like he had epilepsy. Permission to enter was granted. Later years at a Driving school the boss locked himself out of the office. I had the other instructors give up their keys checking the flutes and imitating the kid, we got in. The thing is, wear on your key, and tumblers may bring the lock to not recognize the key
It has screws on the cap underside. Perhaps a lock smith could disassemble it and get it working for you.
Hmm...try taping your key to an engraving tool and use the vibration. It may help to align the lock pins and get the lock to turn. Good luck!
if it locked and on the tank tube currently, hold the key in the unlocked position and then try turning it as if you were going to remove it, then you need some of those pick tools to help the lock fingers move in. sometimes when you half turn-remove a locking gascap, there is just enough play to see what is going on in there behind it.
Immediately recalled Chigurh doing the same ( or something like it ) in “No Country For Old Men” , but for obviously different reasons.
Once you get your new cap and everything is working as it should, could you maybe try taking the old cap apart and maybe post a pic or two of the inner workings from the filler neck side of the cap? I'm curious to see if they use a simple wafer style lock or if it's some kind of a side-bar lock cylinder. If it's just the wafer style it should be relatively easy to pick it open with some basic locksmith skills and a bit of patience. It might be handy to know how if someone loses their key, or if you're buying a used tank or filler neck with a locking cap installed but with no key.
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