Date:         Tue, 16 Jan 2001 07:19:21 -0500
Reply-To:     Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Subject:      Re: Broken key in gas cap!!!
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Once, in  a snow storm in the wilds of WV, I finally came to an open gas
station. I pulled off to get gas. The gas cap was frozen tight. Key, heated
key, butane lighter,easy application of a screwdriver to the slot; after a
half hour of trying, nothing worked. I didn't want to bugger the lock/cap
by jamming the screwdriver blade into the keyslot. I had to have gas. It was
Sunday night and there were three hundred miles to go.
I pulled out my portable drill from my tool box and drilled a hole to the
side of the keyhole. Not a big one, just enough to get a small but stout
phillips screwdriver into the hole (1/8"). The screw driver allowed enough
purchase to twist the cap and remove. Thawed the cap inside the van (I love
these waterboxers with their heat) and we were on our way. The hole is still
there. Inconspicuous and waiting to be of use again.

BTW. Thanks to S Sandlin for his continual posts of the ever useful lock
info!
--
Stephen Steele
Chillicothe OH
'91 Caravelle  Hans....enduring the winter as a daily driver
'84 Westfalia  Fritz or Sunny?....relaxing in the garage and waiting for
                                  spring