Floppy Flippy Fuel Flap - Xantia

addo · Post by **addo** » 28 Oct 2008, 10:39

More a "general curiosity" question than blind panic (for once

)!

I have noticed some Xantiæ have quite a strong "spring" on the fuel flap; you need to push the leading edge decisively to open it and there is a detent feel.

Whereas - others (including my own estate) have a loose flap that is easily swung open. It doesn't seem to come out in traffic or on bumpy roads, but I'm wondering if there is some medium intended in the design? Have some gained stiffness, or others lost it?

Regards, Adam.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 28 Oct 2008, 10:58

Adam a common fault this one..
there are two plastic things

on the back that positively spring the flap shut/open..

they break easily and one or none = a loose flap.

I once put a fuel flap for a 405 on ebay and a guy brought it down under !

arrived and on his car within a few days..

Post by **CitroJim** » 28 Oct 2008, 13:15

"They all do that Sir...."

Look in a breakers and you just may be lucky. I was, once

Note that hatch and estate ones are different but the self-coloured flap can easily be transferred over after driving out the pin.

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 28 Oct 2008, 17:08

New ones aren't that expensive.

addo · Post by **addo** » 28 Oct 2008, 19:41

So a small piece or two, actually breaks off the flap rear side hinge thickening?

I can live with that knowledge; had it been a separate spring or snubber I'd buy a new one. Trying to keep the painted panels all original (preferring a few honest defects over swapping in "mint" donor parts).

Thanks for the explanation. So few on the road here (especially now) and even less in the hands of owners who do stuff themselves.

Regards, Adam.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 29 Oct 2008, 08:20

is that alowed, to use "some gained stiffness" and "a loose flap" in the same post/topic, especialy when it starts FLOPPY FLIPPY FLAP, TEA HE

regards malcolm

Stunned Monkey · Post by **Stunned Monkey** » 29 Oct 2008, 17:18

If you replace the springy thingies, put a dab of lube on them where the tongues slide on the flap.

Ooo-er missus. A prize to anyone who can work the word "penetration" into this topic too.

addo · Post by **addo** » 02 Nov 2008, 10:01

For those who've never been game to pull one apart:

The "tongues" were 95% detached so when I washed everything with degreaser and a toothbrush they basically fell off.

Anyway - that plastic is not solvent-sensitive, so brushing acetone and squishing it all back together wasn't going to happen. Also I can see it is a type of polymer that doesn't heat weld nicely either.

Best permanent fix I can see, is a pair of stainless tongues bent up and fitted. There's plenty of meat to screw fix them into on the bracket body.

Sorry Martin, I didn't get penetration into the topic, but you might argue the bumps on the fuel flap itself could be called nipples.

Regards, Adam.

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 02 Nov 2008, 10:11

A new one is only £7.44 part number 96081621

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 06 Nov 2008, 23:24

addo wrote:For those who've never been game to pull one apart:

The "tongues" were 95% detached so when I washed everything with degreaser and a toothbrush they basically fell off.

Anyway - that plastic is not solvent-sensitive, so brushing acetone and squishing it all back together wasn't going to happen. Also I can see it is a type of polymer that doesn't heat weld nicely either.

Best permanent fix I can see, is a pair of stainless tongues bent up and fitted. There's plenty of meat to screw fix them into on the bracket body.

Sorry Martin, I didn't get penetration into the topic, but you might argue the bumps on the fuel flap itself could be called nipples.

Regards, Adam.

I repaired one of these by gluing the snapped off pieces with a lot of "nail and seal". It lasted quite a while, but in the end I went to the scrap yard and got one for next to nothing.