Removing Fuel Filler Flap & Lock On A BX

clivetheitman · Unread post by **clivetheitman** » 02 Dec 2003, 18:06

Thanks to idiot son No 1 having lost the Keys to one of our BX's I have spent the weekend replacing the door locks and the ignition lock, after managing to pop the lock on the drivers door with a coat hanger (worringly easy to do as well). I am now faced with changing the lock on the fuel filler flap. this currently has me stumped as short of drilling the lock out and risking bits of metal in the fuel tank, I can not think of how to remove the flap, so any advise would be welcome. also if someone has a spare filler flap they can lay there hands on that they could send me for a small exchange of beer vouchers, I will be very thankfull as I am sure to break it if I have to force it out.
Thanks. [:)]

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 02 Dec 2003, 19:17

Clive -
You're right that there is no other way to open the fuel flap w/o damaging it on the BX.
I'd take the route cutting/splitting the flap cover - as this is made of plastic - and also the hinge is simple snap-on plastic bits.
Should be no problem to find a s/h fuel flap from a breakers yard - once it's open - it's 2 crosshead screws to remove all bits including the hinge.
Then you can access the lock itself & cut the ring that secures the lock. With some fiddling you should be able to turn the whole lock lid off the filler neck.
With the flap & lock/lid in hands - it's quite simple to replace the lock cylinder w/o damaging parts.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 02 Dec 2003, 21:05

You could also try the thieves trick of ramming a big screwdriver hard into the lock, then grip the screwdriver and turn it: the lock barrel will then turn with the screwdriver.The barrel will be wrecked but at least the flap and hence fuel cap will be open. It generally works, particularly with an old lock.

clivetheitman · Unread post by **clivetheitman** » 03 Dec 2003, 15:05

Thanks for the advice guys. I will try the screwdriver approch first, as I would like to preserve the filler cap as non of the local scrap yards have any BXs in them to get a replacement flap. busy weekend ahead as I also have to do 3 oil changes and replace the front brake pads on my BX as well. hope the rain holds off or I will get very wet.
Thanks again, there is such a lot of useful infomation and help on this forum from all parts of the world. its like a mini working version of the UN.[:D]

wrinklet1 · Unread post by **wrinklet1** » 03 Dec 2003, 15:20

Why not try putting a key in and wriggling it about? I have found on the BX that the lock metal was soft and easily wears, therefore you may find putting different keys into the lock my allow you release the flap. Forcing the key around may get you there too. Be careful using a screw driver as you may break the flap
Paul

heinz · Unread post by **heinz** » 03 Dec 2003, 17:58

wrinklet1 wrote:
"Why not try putting a key in and wriggling it about?"
Helo clivetheitman
I fully agree.
The key from my former BX fit the glovebox
on my "new" BX nicely.
[The door locks are changed to the Xantia-Kind [:D]]
This forum is new to me - and very cool.
Happy BXing

AWG · Unread post by **AWG** » 03 Dec 2003, 18:13

And don't stick with Citroen keys. My father's front door key (Yale) will open his BX driver's door. Now that's what I call integrated....

AWG · Unread post by **AWG** » 03 Dec 2003, 18:15

An I nearly forgot. My brother is the idiot son.
[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]

clivetheitman · Unread post by **clivetheitman** » 03 Dec 2003, 21:52

So its not just me that has an idiot son in the family. I suppose all families have at least one.[:p]

DLM · Unread post by **DLM** » 04 Dec 2003, 04:16

Hmmm .... been there before when my only key for a BX broke in half in the ignition. I was expecting to have to trash the filler lock but the new key worked - despite being a completely different pattern......

clivetheitman · Unread post by **clivetheitman** » 08 Dec 2003, 16:17

I have managed to remove the filler flap and lock from my BX this weekend and replace the lock with a new unit without damaging either the flap or car. [:D][:D]
I have listed below the procedure for anyone else in this position.
using a thin flat blade screwdriver insert below the top hinge of the fuel flap. gently slide up and push the hinge off the mounting post. do the same with the bottom hinge by sliding it down. lift the top edge of the flap next to the hinge up and rotate the whole flap anticlockwise. the fuel filler plug will now disengage from the fuel filler flap. using a sutible sized flat bladed screw driver insert into the key slot in the lock and rotate anticlockwise. you should now be able to remove the plug from the tank filler neck. plug the neck with somthing suitible to prevent things falling into the fuel tank. to remove the lock from the filler plug, drift out the metal pin that holds the lock into the plug and the lock can now be removed. to remove the lock barrel from the metal assy gently ease up the metal locking finger on the side and slide out the lock barrel. slide in the new lock and ensure the metal finger clips back in place to secure it. reassemle the fuel plug and check all works ok with the new key. push the plug assy back into the flap, make sure you locate the plastic flange into the cutout on the grip moulding on the flap and push the metal spring clip into place to hold securly. back to the car and remove the hinge from the car a torx driver is needed here. fit back to the flap and fix back to the car, remove the temp plug from the filler neck and close the flap and lock it, job done. I know this seems a long winded procedure but in reality it only takes a few mins to do. the fiddly bit is removing the lock barrel from the metal housing but careful use of a flat jewlers screwdriver soon sorts that out.[:)]