Gas Cap Screw...

So before i freak out i figured i ask you guys... When I unscrewed my gas cap the bolt/clip inside the tank fell out. I don't know if i am "screwed" or is there a way to fix this and get it back in. Right now the screw has nothing to bite into and just keeps spinning.

 

Drain the tank, let it dry and fish the piece out with a magnet.

Gary H.

 

There shouldn't be a clip there. The screw that holds the gas cap to the tank goes into a threaded hole (sounds like yours is stripped).

Take a neodymium magnet and secure it to a length of stiff wire (some epoxy won't hurt either) and fish whatever that is out of the tank (no need to drain it).

Once that's done you can take a good look at the hole and consider whether or not you want to repair it (there are several methods), or keep using the "fix" that the PO implemented.

 

how do you get it back on?

 

That depends on what you're talking about. If you are referring to the whatever-it-is that fell into the tank I'd need a picture to be able to tell you.

You don't actualy need to have the cap screwed onto the tank in order to use it. Just make sure the hinge is folded when you put the cap back on. The cap latch will hold it in place.

 

go to Ace hardware and get a new nut, then forget about the one that fell inside

 

or get a nutsert it is like a pop rivet with threads inside of it

 

I love those things, used mine just today. The only bad part about them is the insert stands proud of the surface.

If it were mine I'd tap the hole for the next size screw, and drill the cap hinge to suit; but then I have a drawer full of taps.

 

+1 what he ^ said. Drain the tank, tap hole, vacuum any fallen chips from tank and up size the cap hole.

Gary H.

 

Hmm... or grease the tap so the chips can't fall into the tank.

 

I knew you'd say that .

 

chips from a tap would never get through the tank and in-line filter, their just too big

 

Absolutely true, but I don't like leaving messes.

 

i guess your right. next year the chips will be rust and that might get through the filter

 

thanks for the advice. I am going to tackle the tank next weekend. it just suck donkey pole that the threaded clip fell in. I tried to fish it out of the tank and when it fell out the gnomes must of stole it cause i cant find it.

 

Well don't bet yourself up about it. Same thing would have happened to me. Like I said, there isn't supposed to be anything on the other side of that screw. It threads directly into the tank body.

 

Yeah.... I'm still trying to figure out what 'clip' he's talking about, too.

 

PO somehow put a clip on the inside of the tank to thread the cap screw through.

Gary H.

 

I wonder if po cut the inner filler neck to do that, or has realy long fingers

 

Or a magnet on a length of wire.

 

i was thinking to take a matching nut and lace it through a long string with a knot to hold the nut so when i pull it through the screw hole... i could possibly, maybe, who knows, get a thin coat of jbweld on it to hold it in place. I an not sure what the surface is like so there is no telling if it will work.

 

I wouldn't do that. You'll always wonder if it's holding or when it might break loose. If there's enough metal at the hole I'd do as k-moe advised...go to auto parts store, buy the proper size drill bits and tap. Drill and tap the tank, upsize the cap hole and forget about it. It'll be a proper repair since you can't plug weld the hole and re-tap it.

Gary H.

 

I thought about welding in a new bung or a spot welding a t-nut to hold it in place. I bought some hardware for it, but I got stuck making custom brackets and a battery box.

I guess i'll de-rust the inside of the tank and spot weld the stainless steel t-nut, unless people have objections i think this will work?

I have a tap and dye set, i just dont think the metal is thick enough to thread. if im lucky i''ll get 1 maybe 2 threads.

 

If you weld, just make damn sure there's no fumes left!

 

The hole was threaded from the factory. The metal at that point is thicker than you think, and there is no way you will get to the backside of the tank to weld without cutting the tank open because of the depth of the filler neck. At this point I have to ask if you might be dealing with a non-stock tank. Give us a picture of the tank from the side, and one of the filler hole.

 

If you do decide to weld it, tell your buddy "here hold my beer and watch me weld this".....

 

Pictures or it didn't happen!

 

Just say no! Don't do it...man.

Gary H.

 

lol! the tank has been empty for months and is pretty rusted up. I think i'll be fine unless the phosphoric acid is combustible!


Its a stock tank, all i have on my phone is a photo of the side. I think i could fill the hole by by building up the weld around the edge. I would have to be quick to keep it hot. am i asking for trouble?

 

You're taking a two step repair and making it into a ten step repair. Go for it.

Tap the hole for the next oversize machine screw and drill the cap hinge to suit vs. fill the hole with weld, clean up the weld so it is flush with the tank, drill new hole, tap new hole, pull the tank to clean and re-primer it.....

Then again you are the one there doing the work, and you know your skill level and tolerance for error better than any of us do. The endgame is what matters, so fix it however you think will work best for you.

 

you have a point. I'll try retapping first and if it doesnt hold ill weld.

 

I just wanted to report back. What broke off the tank appears to be a cap nut that was attached to the inside of the tank. The cap nut is what bit into the gas cap screw. After inspecting the metal it was way to thin to get a thread on it. I had no choice but to weld in a replacement piece.

The solution i came up with was to buy a stainless steel tee-nut #10, and some 550 paracord.



Once i cleaned and stripped the tank I went ahead and drilled a series of holes around the cap screw hole to fall within the diameter of the tee-nut. I also enlarged the screw hole to match the diameter of the stem on the tee-nut. I then soaked the paracord in water and then i fed the paracord through screw hole and pulled the other end through the gas fill hole. I then threaded the tee-nut with the paracord (about 2.5 feet), about half way up and tied a knot. The tee-nut stem must be put on so it can fit into the screw hole. Once everything was aligned and all the holes that were drilled had a surface to hit, i then spot welled the tee-nut into place.

Once finished grind away to smooth everything out. Oh yeah after the 3rd or 4th spot weld the paracord melts and breaks so just pull it out.

There you have it a new and sturdy gas cap screw hole.

 

Very creative and good job!

 

Good Job...looks great

 

Sybe,
Do that sh!t man. This should be added to the DIY forum. Great job.

Gary H.