Gas lid stuck! HAAAALP!!!

[Looneybonics]

K....so I been a baaaad motorcycle rider, but things have been crazy which is where the negligence part of this comes in.

Anyways....long story short...I haven't maintained my gas tank the way I should. It's been stored for nearly a year (dry) and I guess there was a little gas left or something and it's corroded the latch from the inside. The key turns all the way to the right, but it just won't spring open cuz of the corrosion. I tried unscrewing all the allen screws thinking I could just take it off that way, but no. It's, I guess, fitted in there from the inside. Anyways....am I screwed? See the attached picture. Disregard the rust (nothing a few BB's and some kerosene can't fix and see if you can't help me out. Because of the angle it's hard to get any tools in there. Thinking about maybe getting a hose and letting some coke sit in there? I'm out of ideas. Thanks in advance for any help!!

P.s. I checked my Hanes manual first and they really don't have anything on this. =/

[Looneybonics]

The angle that you're seeing is from the circle on the bottom the float sensor goes in. The white/gray thing is the latch of the lock.

[Wild-Bill]

I'd go with a heavy dosing of penetrating oil, let it sit for an hour or so and then push on each of the locking tabs with a pry bar while turning the key in the lock. Might break it free like that. The coke isn't a bad idea, either.

Either way, I'd be shopping on e-bay for a new filler cap.

[Looneybonics]

That'll be nearly impossible through a ping pong ball sized hole. Am I not looking over a way to just pop that biznatch off?

[Wild-Bill]

Not impossible at all. You're not looking to pry like you would to pull a nail. If it's going to move at all then it shouldn't take a huge amount of force. Just fish a bent-tip pry bar between the flange and the locking tab and then give the bar a twist.

[cintidude04]

if you cant fit a rod in there an place it on the inside of the cap an bang it out an you want to go the dissolvent route I'd suggest vinegar over coke

[Wild-Bill]

Pretty much anything acidic. Best thing would be muriatic acid. You're in Orlando. Know any pool cleaners?

[cintidude04]

Best thing would be muriatic acid. You're in Orlando. Know any pool cleaners?

+1

[Looneybonics]

You'd think I'd know a zillion but I don't. lol! Coke is a lil easier/cheaper to come by (I know I'm splitting hairs) so I'll prolly try and pour some in there and let it sit (hopefully it won't leak out) and then try the "beat it up" method. Thanks for the help guys. Any other advice is GREEEEEATLY welcomed.

[Wild-Bill]

Don't beat on it too hard. The last thing you want to do is distort the tank! Try the twisting-a-prybar thing. It's a lot less likely to tear something else up.

[Looneybonics]

Yea...I figured I'd get a long screw driver and hammer and tap on it from the bottom and maybe a rubber mallet on top to jar something loose IF the coke doesn't work which...I'm hoping it does. Will post how it goes.

[cintidude04]

I dont see how vinegar is so hard to find compared to coke? i know there are grocery stores in fl. lol honestly going that route vinegar works much better than coke an is easy to clean afterwards

goodluck

[Wild-Bill]

+1 on the vinegar. That way you don't have to deal with the sugar from the coke. Get that into your carbs and you won't be happy. Save the coke for your battery terminals.

[Looneybonics]

Good point. Vinegar it is. Stupid questoin, but as I'm not a Vinegar connoisseur....what kind? It's not that it's hard to find....just...I get free Coke from work.

[Wild-Bill]

Distilled White Vinegar.

(Heloise says it's good for all kinds of cr*p!)