Gas cap

[Xyzzy]

I noticed below someone indicated fumes and vacuum as a possibility. I notice when and if I fill my tank almost to the top it is extremely hard to almost impossible to close but if I do not almost over fill my tank I have zero issues. I also sprayed a little silicon spray too.

If you fill to the top you can overfill into the evaporative cannister. I let the pump kick off once and then I stop. Then the fuel level is 4-6 inches below the cap. I easily get more than 225 miles on a tank so (IMO) there is no need to squeeze in that last bit.

YMMV

 

[BikerDoc]

I have the same problem with locking the cap (really have to press it down hard in order to be able to turn the key) and at near 15000 miles, it seems to be getting worse with time. I am going to have my dealer check it out on my next visit

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid, not Cap on F3

Unless you feel the need to use a locking gas cap, swap it for one that does not lock.

Wow what a novel idea, except what is on these models is not a cap. It is a lid, with a hinge that has to be pressed down on to seat it. I had to use a hammer to pound on mine with my other hand on the key so I could turn it once it was seated. I would love to have something other than a lid on a hinge. I don't know who came up with this idea, but it sucks. I tried for 2 days to lock my lid after putting something in the gas since the Spyder had been sitting for so long without being ridden. It had nothing to do with putting gas in it, or topping it off, just opening and trying to close it. It will be going back to the dealer because it is horrible to not be able to get the key out. I would have to carry a hammer with me.

 

[lwe6576]

Hinged Locking Gas Lid

Have you seen a keyless cap?

There is no choice as to switching it out since it is attached to the Spyder, not something that screws off. It stays attached and you would have to be a gorilla to get it to close and lock. I used a hammer to pound on mine and finally got it seated to the point the key would turn back to take it out. I don't know what the solution is. Am taking it to the dealer.

 

[Road-Kill]

I do too, but the last push to get the click seems to be unreasonably hard.

I've been afraid I was going to break the key doing it, practice with alot of patience. My thoughts

 

[Bob Denman]

There is no choice as to switching it out since it is attached to the Spyder, not something that screws off. It stays attached and you would have to be a gorilla to get it to close and lock. I used a hammer to pound on mine and finally got it seated to the point the key would turn back to take it out. I don't know what the solution is. Am taking it to the dealer.

:shocked: You used a hammer?? :yikes::wrong:

 

[NewHornist]

It took my husband and I ten minutes to get the thing closed at the gas station this morning. I was at the dealer 20 minutes later and they put some silicone spray on it. They basically said it's just the way it is. Of course their mechanic didn't have much of a problem.

 

[trucker1]

It's vapor lock. Let it set for a minute and let the pressure bled off the good part is you have a really good seal. Be happy for that

 

[trucker1]

P.s. try not to fill it all the way up to the bottom of the neck of the tank. Leave some room for back pressure when u close the cap.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

I turn the key when I close mine.

You must not have a defective one like a lot of other people. Opened mine to put gas treatment in it since it had been sitting for so long and couldn't get it to turn back so I could take the key out. Took a hammer to it and it seated and I was able to turn the key and get it out.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

:shocked: You used a hammer?? :yikes::wrong:

I did, not a regular hammer, but a plastic coated hammer with weights in it. Don't know what it's called. I kept hitting the lid until I could turn the key and get it out. I had messed with it for 2 days and was very frustrated. Being a female who is a senior citizen, I don't have the strength a man has in my hands and my husband was not able to help me as he was recuperating from surgery. So it is going to the dealer tomorrow to get fixed. Shame you spend that much money on something and it is defective. Lucky I haven't been riding it and going to get gas and not being able to get back home. Not a good situation. Lots and lots of complaints about it.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

It's vapor lock. Let it set for a minute and let the pressure bled off the good part is you have a really good seal. Be happy for that

I let mine sit for 2 days and it still wouldn't close all the way so I could turn the key. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow. The tank was not full when I opened it in the garage, thank goodness I was in the garage, and I didn't fill it up with the gas treatment so your theory couldn't be correct.

 

[Bob Denman]

...I was at the dealer 20 minutes later and they put some silicone spray on it...

What did they spray; the gasket material? :dontknow:
Or did they just "hose down" the latching mechanism with it? :dontknow:

 

[brass-monky]

Gas is petroleum based

I would caution against oil on the gasket. If the oil is petroleum based, it may rot the gasket. In place of oil use silicone spray or gel which will not rot the gasket.

Chris:doorag::spyder2:

I don't think oil will hurt the gasket because the gas it seals in is petroleum based

 

[jcthorne]

Wow what a novel idea, except what is on these models is not a cap. It is a lid, with a hinge that has to be pressed down on to seat it. I had to use a hammer to pound on mine with my other hand on the key so I could turn it once it was seated. I would love to have something other than a lid on a hinge. I don't know who came up with this idea, but it sucks. I tried for 2 days to lock my lid after putting something in the gas since the Spyder had been sitting for so long without being ridden. It had nothing to do with putting gas in it, or topping it off, just opening and trying to close it. It will be going back to the dealer because it is horrible to not be able to get the key out. I would have to carry a hammer with me.

You
do understand that lubrication of mechanical parts is part of basic maintenance, right? There is nothing wrong with the F3 gas lid design. Its MUCH improved from the under seat arrangement on the earlier bikes and has a lock too.

Try lubricating the mechanism and it will likely work fine unless you hammer trick damaged it.

Wow, lid will not close, get a hammer.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

Wow what a novel idea, except what is on these models is not a cap. It is a lid, with a hinge that has to be pressed down on to seat it. I had to use a hammer to pound on mine with my other hand on the key so I could turn it once it was seated. I would love to have something other than a lid on a hinge. I don't know who came up with this idea, but it sucks. I tried for 2 days to lock my lid after putting something in the gas since the Spyder had been sitting for so long without being ridden. It had nothing to do with putting gas in it, or topping it off, just opening and trying to close it. It will be going back to the dealer because it is horrible to not be able to get the key out. I would have to carry a hammer with me.

How do you post a picture? I was going to post a picture of what the locking gas lid looks like. I haven't seen anyone else post a picture of it so people would know what it looks like and that it is built into the gas tank.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

Wow what a novel idea, except what is on these models is not a cap. It is a lid, with a hinge that has to be pressed down on to seat it. I had to use a hammer to pound on mine with my other hand on the key so I could turn it once it was seated. I would love to have something other than a lid on a hinge. I don't know who came up with this idea, but it sucks. I tried for 2 days to lock my lid after putting something in the gas since the Spyder had been sitting for so long without being ridden. It had nothing to do with putting gas in it, or topping it off, just opening and trying to close it. It will be going back to the dealer because it is horrible to not be able to get the key out. I would have to carry a hammer with me.

Here is what the gas lid looks like. Sorry, but the pictures turned sideways sort of. The tab that is lifted to expose the place where you insert the key is towards the seat. There isn't much room left to press down on the lid with the key in the locking/unlocking mechanism and with the flip up part. That's why I tried a hammer and it worked, but I can't carry a hammer with me to close it every time I get gas. Going to the dealer today.

 

[lwe6576]

Locking Gas Lid F3

You
do understand that lubrication of mechanical parts is part of basic maintenance, right? There is nothing wrong with the F3 gas lid design. Its MUCH improved from the under seat arrangement on the earlier bikes and has a lock too.

Try lubricating the mechanism and it will likely work fine unless you hammer trick damaged it.

Wow, lid will not close, get a hammer.

You may not have a problem, but there are others on here who are having a problem. Going to the dealer today to see what they say or can do about it. Also contacted BRP about the problem. Some people on here don't realize that the lid is a part of the gas tank.

 

[NewHornist]

I did, not a regular hammer, but a plastic coated hammer with weights in it. Don't know what it's called. I kept hitting the lid until I could turn the key and get it out. I had messed with it for 2 days and was very frustrated. Being a female who is a senior citizen, I don't have the strength a man has in my hands and my husband was not able to help me as he was recuperating from surgery. So it is going to the dealer tomorrow to get fixed. Shame you spend that much money on something and it is defective. Lucky I haven't been riding it and going to get gas and not being able to get back home. Not a good situation. Lots and lots of complaints about it.

I took mine to the dealer yesterday and they didn't have any solution except putting some silicone on the latch and the gasket. The fellow who was working on it really didn't have much of a problem getting it shut but we're talking young guy versus female senior citizen. I am going to bring my spare key with me when I ride in case I break the key trying to close the cap. If they don't have some sensor that checks if the cap is locked I should also be able to ride with the key in the gas cap in the open position with the cap closed. Please let us know if your dealer is able to fix this.

 

[fencepost]

I now use 2 cycle oil on the gasket works great and easy to carry with you.