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Gas cap cover release mechanism
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:10 pm
by Tleg93
The other day I was at a full service station trying to pump my own gas and the attendant walked up intending to help me. My gas cap cover was covered with ice and it was very cold outside. This attendant strikes my cap cover trying to break up the ice. As he is doing this I say to him don't hit my car please because it was so cold out I knew that things get brittle. Too late, he hit it and broke the release mechanism and it fell down in the hole it's mounted on. I have something jammed in the cover to make it stick shut otherwise it just flops around. How do you go about fixing this? It fell down in that hole and it's likely that the legs that hold it in place are broken (otherwise it wouldn't have fell in). I looked in the Haines manual and I can't find a reference to it. It must be a cheap part but I can't seem to find a way to get to it.
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:19 pm
by ciper
I know how to fix it in two easy steps.
Take it to the dealer and get a qoute
Bring the qoute to the service station
They are responsible. I bet he wouldnt do that if some Mercedes drove up.
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:24 pm
by vrg3
!!!
The factory service manual seems to kind of gloss over it. I remember because I wanted to read up on how it worked since mine seems sticky sometimes. I'll look at it again this evening for you.
You should get the manager of the gas station to pay for a Subaru dealer to fix it.
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:26 pm
by Legacy777
yeah, I would've reemed the mofo out on the spot
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:27 pm
by QuickDrive
I hate it when people touch my car. Even though it's 13 years old, it's still my car and I want to take care of it.
I'd do what Ciper suggested.
As for the pain in the ass of the gas door release mechanism, I have to open my trunk, peel back the carpet liner and dig my hand into the body to release my gas door.
My lever up front has corrosion on it and the wire snapped 1 day after I bought the car.
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:29 pm
by vrg3
Quickdrive - could you maybe remove the locking mechanism entirely (get a locking gas cap if you feel the need), and get a neodymium magnet and glue it onto the filler door so it holds itself shut but can be easily pried open with any thin plastic tool?
cap
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 10:07 pm
by Tleg93
Thanks alot for the help. The manager of the station says she doesn't believe me and doubts that the kid broke it by "touching" it. I just said to her that it was working when I drove up and broken when I left. The kid was the one who broke it and that's all that matters to me. She tried to say that she saw some rust around the hole - so what. I was boiling with rage but I kept it in check. I hate being called a liar. But I need a trip to the hoosgow like I need a trepanation hole bored in my skull.
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 10:10 pm
by evolutionmovement
These cars may be old, but look how much people fuss over PITA cars that are much older. Soon we'll have cult classics as long as idiots don't smash the hell out of them first. I've never had trouble even with ice on the gas lid. That guy must have whacked it good. Those idiots should pay for it.
Steve
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 11:19 pm
by QuickDrive
vrg3 wrote:Quickdrive - could you maybe remove the locking mechanism entirely (get a locking gas cap if you feel the need), and get a neodymium magnet and glue it onto the filler door so it holds itself shut but can be easily pried open with any thin plastic tool?
Well the spring in the release mechanism still works, so this summer when I have the interior out I'm going to reroute the wire up through the center console so I can just tug it from in there.
All a brainstorm right now of course, will have to see what it actually looks like under that carpet..
ewww, rust
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 12:04 am
by ciper
Goto the junkard and practice.
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:48 am
by LaureltheQueen
haha, thats what i do when i need to do something, but i'm not quite sure what needs to be done
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:55 am
by QuickDrive
Junkyards around here aren't pick and pulls like you all seem to have.
It's ask and pull more than anything.
3 more months...
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 4:17 am
by legacy92ej22t
Bastards!

I would demand they pay Scott. Threaten to take them to small claims court, even if it's a bluff, it may get them to pay.
By the way which gas station was it?
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 4:19 am
by vrg3
Yeah, I was also about to suggest a small claims court... the problem is there isn't much evidence, but it still could be worth a shot.
Or just find out where this little &$%@ attendant lives.... :twisted:
cap
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 3:22 pm
by Tleg93
Matt, it was the Sunoco station as you get off of Rt. 15 north and get on Rt. 14 north in Trout Run where the Rose Valley hill climb is every year. You know where I mean? As far as tracking the little brat down and breaking things down Machiavelli style, I don't think that would be prudent...yet.

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 4:44 pm
by legacy92ej22t
Ahhh..ya, I know which one you're talking about.

They wont be getting my bussiness anytime soon that's for sure!
I haven't had very good luck with Sunoco stations around here lately either. I was at the one on Washington blvd and River ave. awhile back and was filling the Legacy and the pump didn't click off when the tank got full. It spilled fuel all over my car, the ground ect... It was huge mess and it probably spilled a gallon or two before I could manually turn the pump off. The attendant was actually trying to say it was my fault and a small arguement insued. I was refusing to pay for the spilled fuel, the manager was called and I ended up getting $5 off the fuel and an apology.

If it wasn't for the fact that Sunocos are the only stations I can get Ultra 94 I probably wouldn't get my gas there anymore.
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 4:52 pm
by Tleg93
Well, it looks like they are going to repair it. A guy just called and said he wanted 2 estimates. I'm pretty happy about it and I feel like smoking.
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 6:08 pm
by QuickDrive
Awesome!
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:23 pm
by THAWA
very cool, except for the smoking part.
Smoking
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:56 pm
by Tleg93
Don't get me wrong, I don't smoke. I just FEEL like smoking because the whole thing has been kind of an ordeal. I've been getting resistance from them even though they acknowledged that the dude struck my car. I didn't expect to get compensation but the fact that I did has me feeling a little triumphant, thus the smoking comment. It's just a way to revel in the afterglow of victory. What's wrong with that eh? I take it you don't like smoking thawa...
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 2:50 am
by legacy92ej22t
Ah, cool Scott.

I guess I can give the guy his dog back now

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:41 am
by THAWA
i simply hate smoking. Mainly because there is absolutely no good reason to start doing it. of course i'm talking about cigarette smoking, other types I have my own feelings about those (they get chucked in with alcohol into a big jug of stereotype

).
Hmmm
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:24 pm
by Tleg93
Uhmm, Matt, I'm not sure I know what you mean...
Thawa, are you straight edge or something. I'm just curious. I don't mean to imply that I feel negatively towards a straight edge person cuz I don't. Your comments just remind me of a friend I haven't seen in a while.
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:21 pm
by THAWA
naa, i drink and used to smoke weed, but i do/did both in moderation. I don't like to be addicted to things that can't turn a profit, or allow me to meet new people

.
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:18 pm
by Tleg93
Well, it's good to hear you kicked the habits

I don't feel it's wrong to partake of nature's bounty. Of course, we should always try to use discretion and moderation if we can. Too much of anything can be bad.