What's the deal with closing the F3 Gas cap!?

[Corvet]

What is the DEAL with this gas cap (new owner, F3-S)? To get it closed I have to use both hands and get up on the right peg to put my weight on it. I tried lubing it with some WD-40 but that didn’t help much. I see where LaMonster has a replacement. Any ideas from Spyder experts before I call in my order?
Thanks in advance.

 

[RICZ]

I had the same problem. I took it apart (placing a cloth over the hole) and filed the spring latch down for a looser fit. It closes easily now.

 

[Gwolf]

F3-S mine closes easy. Press down with two fingers, it latches, turn the key back, and it is done.

 

[Corvet]

Thank you. I’ll give it a try.

 

[RICZ]

F3-S mine closes easy. Press down with two fingers, it latches, turn the key back, and it is done.

Lucky you. You got one without that problem. But others, including myself had to deal with caps that are difficult to close. Fortunately, I found the solution and I hope that helps those like the OP with that all too common problem.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

You need to turn the key to 2 o’clock position before attempting to close it. If you keep it clean and lubed and put the key in this position you will have no troubles!

 

[troop]

Yup, as above. Push down with two fingers to open and 2 o'clock and two fingers to close. Just a habit process.

 

[RICZ]

Ann and Troop....In a perfect Spyder world, those suggestions work. But when you get one with a cap that requires a hydraulic ram to close, it's a different ballgame that requires a modification.

 

[SPYMAN]

Lamonster IPS F3 Keyless Fuel Cap Assembly

httphttp://www.lamonstergarage.com/can-am-spyder-f3-ips-fuel-cap-assembly-lamonster/

 

[JKMSPYDER]

I had the same problem when my F3-S was new. Took apart the cap and lubed the spring and seal. Was better but not great. Finally ordered Lamont’s keyless gas cap. Problem solved forever.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Well, at the risk of attack. The WD40 works on mine.

 

[RICZ]

I live in a blue, sanctuary, crime ridden city and I don't want to switch to a keyless cap. All it took was taking it apart and filing down the latch. I did try lubing originally, but that didn't help at all. Some caps come so tight that I have no idea how they closed it at the factory. On my first fillup, I found it impossible to close the cap and had to ride home and remedy the problem.

 

[Corvet]

I will be dipped...! Key to two o’clock position and it closes no problem! You guys are smarter than you look! ��

 

[RICZ]

I will be dipped...! Key to two o’clock position and it closes no problem! You guys are smarter than you look! ��

I was assuming you knew that and your cap was as tight as mine was. Glad this came to a good ending. Thanks Troop for mentioning that.The good news is, peeps now know what to do if they buy a new Spyder with a hard to close gas cap.

 

[deer30084]

What is the DEAL with this gas cap (new owner, F3-S)? To get it closed I have to use both hands and get up on the right peg to put my weight on it. I tried lubing it with some WD-40 but that didn’t help much. I see where LaMonster has a replacement. Any ideas from Spyder experts before I call in my order?
Thanks in advance.

I have an RV with a slide out. Occasionally I put RV slide out lube on the rubber seals of the slide out so it slides in and out easily and protects the seals. I put a little bit of that on my fingers, put it on the rubber seal of my F3 gas cap months ago, and it works fine. Still haven't had the need to re-lube it.

 

[als]

Ann and Troop....In a perfect Spyder world, those suggestions work. But when you get one with a cap that requires a hydraulic ram to close, it's a different ballgame that requires a modification.

Mine did not come from a perfect world - when new and not lubed I fought it many times.
Lube it (I use waterproof plumbers grease) and turn the key as Ann suggests - absolutely no problems since !

 

[RICZ]

Mine did not come from a perfect world - when new and not lubed I fought it many times.
Lube it (I use waterproof plumbers grease) and turn the key as Ann suggests - absolutely no problems since !

I guess mine came from an even less perfect world as nothing helped short of filing the latch piece down. Being either lazy or efficient,, I tried the lubing bit first, and still, no go. I'm happy that I know which end of the screwdriver is the handle and can remedy mechanical problems. Thanks dad.

 

[ABQSpyder]

Find yourself some Plastic lubricant.
I had same problem used my old XEROX plastic lube about a year ago and works great Key at 2 0'clock

 

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

Outstanding thread! I'd been having trouble getting my gas cap closed... went out to the garage just now, opened the cap, turned the key to 2 o'clock and shut it with no effort. Thanks, Ann!


Now, if I can just remember this until the spring...

 

[merlot]

"I had the same problem. I took it apart (placing a cloth over the hole) and filed the spring latch down for a looser fit. It closes easily now." Quote from RICZ

i had the same problem and needed to file the latch as per RICZ post
it refused to shut sensibly

even after filing the latch,the closing was less than ideal
the PO had obviously had this problem,and his remedy was to fill the key barrel with "je ne sait quoit"and this had stickied the operation of the barrel

we should be aware that nothing should be sent down the key barrel...not wd40 not anything...it just gunks up the lock eventually
i now use graphite powder on the key and this stuff works fine(eventually)

so i have flooded the barrel with brake kleen(elec spray would be the same as no residue)and will continue til completely clean,then use graphite powder for perfect key operation

the wd 40 will be used on the external mechanical workings of said lock

its now a lot better but other bikes ive had,the key snaps back to central,and i wont give up til my bike does the same

thanks RICZ for the heads up on filing