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Sticking Fuel door pin?

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Old 12-19-08, 06:03 PM
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Sticking Fuel door pin?

This may not sound like a big deal, but it really pisses me off, especially when I have to leave my fuel door open when driving back from the gas station because the fuel door will not close, due to the fact that the fuel door "pin" is sticking.

Im sick and tired of trying to lube it up, nothing I have tried solves this problem. Does anybody know how much it cost for a brand new fuel door pin assembly? or maby a cheaper Permanent solution? I know im not the only one with this problem!!
Old 12-19-08, 06:06 PM
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White/purple lithium grease the hell out of that pin.

My FC had this problem and it turned out the source of the sticking was actually in the lever in the interior, WD-40 solved that.
Old 01-10-09, 02:24 AM
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(1 I tried using WD40, problem solved for for a few weeks, then came back.

(2 I tried lubing up the interior hinge/lever itself thats used to pop the fuel door, no change.

(3 I tried sanding the pin down, in attempt to make it so small that it will slide in and out easier, did NOT work.

(4 I tried using power steering fluid to lube the pin for easier long lasting lubrication.... this actually worked for a few months, but back to the same thing after a while, EVEN after relubing

(5 LAST I tried using lithium grease spray, it did a great job lubing, but pin was still sticking.....

SOLUTION!!! I unstick it from now on with a flat blade screw driver. Guaranteed to work everytime
Old 01-10-09, 03:58 AM
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New cable?
Old 01-10-09, 08:47 AM
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My fuel filler door pin also sticks.

What I discovered is that the release lever, next to the driver's seat, has more travel than needed. You can test this by slowly moving the lever until the filler door opens. There is quite a bit of over travel.

Knowing this, I used to carefully move the lever only far enough to open the filler door.

For a permanent fix I removed the cover & installed a hard stop to limit the lever travel.
Old 01-10-09, 08:51 AM
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I had the same problem. I bought 2 locking pin mechanisms, I only installed one and had the other one for a spare but I can sell it, to you for $35.00 shipped, if you go to a Mazda dealer they will sell the complete assembly with cable, for much more.
Old 01-10-09, 06:47 PM
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my door wont open.
Old 01-10-09, 11:25 PM
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I dont have any problem with the price of this part at all its peanuts... The only thing I have a problem with is the installation. How hard is this part to install?

I took apart the rear panel one day in an attempt to replace the part, and imediatley gave up. Looks like quite a big job, was it extremely difficult to install?
Old 01-11-09, 09:44 AM
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installation is peanuts
Old 01-11-09, 07:12 PM
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You have to remove all the panels from the front seat back into the trunk. this is on the drivers side only. It takes a little time, however it isn't too difficult. Just pay attention to the existing configuration. One thing to remember is not to force anything, as the fasteners can be broken.
Old 01-11-09, 11:28 PM
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My pin used to stick. I don't push the latch all the way down when I pop the fuel door. I slowly push it down until I see the door flip open in the mirror or looking down the side of the car. It doesn't stick if I do this.
Old 01-12-09, 11:37 PM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by alexdimen
My pin used to stick. I don't push the latch all the way down when I pop the fuel door. I slowly push it down until I see the door flip open in the mirror or looking down the side of the car. It doesn't stick if I do this.
thanks, you're a genius!! I tried it myself just now and it works everytime, even with no lube at all, its bone dry. Wow such a simple solution, much better then the screwdriver!
Old 01-12-09, 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Ernesto13B
thanks, you're a genius!! I tried it myself just now and it works everytime, even with no lube at all, its bone dry. Wow such a simple solution, much better then the screwdriver!
Glad it helped. I got some weird looks at the gas station jabbing at my gas tank with my keys or knife.
Old 01-13-09, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Ernesto13B
thanks, you're a genius!! I tried it myself just now and it works everytime, even with no lube at all, its bone dry. Wow such a simple solution, much better then the screwdriver!
That's what I do...sometimes it'll be stuck just a little bit, but more than enough to grab with my fingers and pull right back out.
Old 01-13-09, 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mobeoner
my door wont open.
You are pushing down while moving it inward right? I remember having this issue when I couldn't open my fuel door and trying to force it open only yielded cracks in the paint. Felt like an idiot afterwards.
Old 01-13-09, 02:00 PM
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Wow, I've had this problem ever since I picked up the car (1.5 years ago). I used a small rod to tap at the bolt where the pin is until it popped out. It worked, but I looked weird tapping away while at a gas station.

I just tried pushing to release "slightly" and it worked fine. I can't believe this was all I had to do . Thank you so much for saving me 50+ on a repair.
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