pjw73nh

Greetings,

2007 EX. Wife just called, she is 60 miles away and needs fuel. First time ever gas door won't open. Bear in mind it is the coldest day of the year here. 5 degrees F. I guess there is a possibility that it is frozen. We had a wet snowstorm two days ago and now it's around zero.

How can I manually open the fuel door? Is there any way to jimmy/shim the latch so it opens (without damaging the car)?


I saw several youtube vids illustrating a cable issue and replacement on earlier generations, but I am not sure that's what it is at this point, and really I just need to get fuel into the car to get her home.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

ezone

Have you tried getting a second person to help?
One to PUSH DOWN on the release lever, the other to pry on the door?



I think one can pull down the carpet panel from the side of the trunk area and follow the cable to the fuel door pocket, and figure out how to either release it or remove it completely from the pocket. Sorry, no good pics here, and we don't have big problems with the cable on these cars (not like 7th gens). I can't remember the last time we had to change a cable for this on an 8th gen car.

ezone

Just got a chance to look at one, it does not appear that this idea can be easily completed.

Sorry.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

My 2010 sticks in freezing temps at times....but seems to be already released by lever, just stuck.

And with a little work it opens (after scaring the hell out of me being low on gas)

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Maybe a glass of warm water to help melt the ice around the door.

brags

Not sure if You got it open by now or not ..? going to sugest using
a blow dryer from Your cars 12Volt power supply warm it up on and
around the door latch.

pjw73nh

Well. I sent all the suggestions off to my wife earlier today. I haven't heard back from her yet. She's not home either. So, either one of these suggestions worked, or she's out of gas with a dead cell phone and no way to charge it.

I am hoping for the former. Otherwise, I may be in deep doodoo...

I'll post an update when I find out what it is/was. Thanks for all the suggs.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Certainly scary when they stick. A rain then freezing could make it tough certainly, but for the most part mine has came loose pretty easy.

pjw73nh

Hi Folks,

She made it home safely and with a full tank of fuel. It was in fact as many of you mentioned, simply frozen. She was able to have a co worker pry the hatch open with a popsicle stick while pressing on the lever. I may try some of that graphite liquid lube on the latch when I get a chance and see if that doesn't prevent further issues. Though I suspect it was just a "perfect storm" combination of the wet, heavy snow and the rapidly falling temps.

Thanks again for all the help.

PuterChickFL

Glad she is home safely