Gas Cap Stuck Shut

Does the 355 have an emergency release cable in the engine compartment, like the 348 has?

 

Mmm i used to have this, screw on cap right. How i undid mine and top tip, was to put on a leather pair of motorcycle gloves so i could get a good grip on the cap. Be sure to dry the cap first. The gloves also help gain leverage. Try that with biker gloves or thick gauntlets.
From that moment on i always smeared a little grease on the threads of both screw on lids of the fuel cap and the oil cap which can also get stuck. Never had the problem sinCe.

 

Spray some WD-40 behind the cap, trying to aim the little straw tube at the threads/back-of-cap.

Tap on the cap.

First, attempt to tighten the cap just a smidge, then see if she'll loosen (best done with leather gloves).

 

When this happens, I use a plumbers wrench

 

Huh! How does that work with a sunken cap, without damaging the paint work? What plumers wrench are you using that will fit the tight space effectively?

 

I also had this problem - find the stickiest gloves you can... it will come off.

 

Get a blow torch and heat it.....Oops, my fault....

Seriously, seems the way it is designed only a good grip and muscle will get it off. You may be able to get a large set of pliers on it or a Vise-grip at an angle, but will probably scrape up the cap...

 

There may just be a very thin film of ice in the cap threads. Get a hair dryer (which every F355 owner has along with hair gel) and set it on high. It it doesn't work then resort to more drastic methods. I apply a very, very thin coating of copper-based anti-seize to all my threaded caps. Good luck, Kevin.

 

lol at the hair dryer reference!

 

I learned this too...don't over-tighten. Makes for an embarrassing scene at the gas station...

 

Heat the cap up with the dryer...Then spray wd40 around the seal then heat again..with gloves it will come off...

 

Had this happen to me at a gas station, couldn't get it off so I left. Kept trying by using both hands to turn the knob. Finally got it off. I think there was a lot of pressure built up which kept it from being able to be untightened.

 

Let her cool down fully and it'll come off. I think the fuel filler receptacle is what heats up causing expansion. Don't screw the cap on too tight when replacing after gassing up, this worked for me on a 95 GTB. Same goes for the oil filler cap.

 

If he really needs to heat the cap, a safe way to do it might be to get a small hot water bottle and hold it against the filler cap.

Of course, if it's internal pressure (mentioned above) - and not actually a case of cold weather conditions - causing the problem , then it might not help.

Let us know how you get on - and good luck!

All the best,
Andrew.

 

You could always cut it loose with a Plasma-cutter... Moahahahahaaa...

Kimmo.

 

Start the car and let it warm up for about 15 minutes, take it for a quick drive, then try to unscrew it.

 

sorry for the stupid post, duh. Wasn't too sharp last night.

 

haha - very honest... I don't know how many times I've wished that damn 'edit post' button was still active....

 

RossoCorsaItaly,

How's it going? Did you manage to get the cap off or is it still refusing to budge?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

You need to press down hard on the cap to get the pressure off the threads while unscrewing the cap. It works for me 99% of the time, every time!

BT

 

Good to hear your Ferrari will be able to get a drink now.

All the best,
Andrew.