Fuel Cap Stuck

[willsalmon]

Hi all,

I have a 1965 220SE and cannot seem to remove the fuel cap.

Not long ago it would open easily. After I had drained and refilled the fuel, took it for a drive, and parked it up, it seems to be stuck on.

Now once the cap is unlocked, it spins around freely but cannot be pulled off.

Hoping someone can give me some help.

Thanks.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Don't be tempted to use heat or grind it off. Sparks and petrol do not mix. Have you tried using a screwdriver for leverage, spray with WD40 and give it a good pull. Failing that, take it to your friendly local garage before it runs out of petrol. Hopefully they will fix it for free.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Could the tank breather be blocked? If it is then the air pressure of the free space above the fuel will be less than atmospheric and air pressure alone may hold the fuel cap on. Don't be tempted to drive the car or run the engine, until you have checked otherwise the tank could be deformed by the disparity in pressure.

I don't know about Mercedes from 1965 but generally cars of that era had either a small pipe from the top of the tank or a breather in the filler cap.

If it doesn't have a breather pipe then unclipping and removing the filler pipe from the back of the filler port will equalise the air pressure in the tank to atmospheric.

Just another thought - does the car have a locking filler cap i.e., one that requires a key to lock/unlock it - these tend to rotate when locked.