Date:         Fri, 28 Apr 2000 08:58:29 -0400
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon gas cap keys--more information
Comments: To: ssandlin@lcc.net

Steve

<<<Since I posted the key information, several people have emailed saying their
ignition key also opens the gas cap.  Here's the story.  The body of the gas
cap is plastic.  After a few years, the wafers in the lock wear grooves in
the plastic body.  In reality, most any thing that will fit in the key slot
will then turn the lock.  There is no way to repair the caps.  Once they are
together they cannot be disassembled.  Hope this explains.>>>

This might be true for some model's gas cap,BUT not for my cap.

I was able to take mine apart down to the lock cylinder. I pushed the pin out that hold the top on and it came apart easy.

I had bought a new cap but did not want two keys (Using the ignition key only helps to avoid leaving the cap off at a station OR losing the gas key...) The lock cylinders were mounted different so I had to put the new rubber seal from the new cap to the old cap.  I reassembled the cap and it is working OK.

I could have changed the tumblers inside the lock, but I am not a locksmith...


Robert

BTW I have a new cap with a key if anyone needs a cap- $10