How do you remove/replace the fuel flap?

[sallyday10]

Hi Guys,

first post on the forum, I have to admit I'm looking for some advice for a friend of mine.

His fuel flap (the colour-coded 'door' that sits over the filler cap) has snapped off and he needs to fit a new one. As there are some remnants of the old bracket still intact, does anyone know how to remove and refit the flap please?

Thanks for any help or advice.

Sally.

[Booth11]

Hi there

I take it the car's no longer under any kind of warranty?

[Booth11]

Just had a look on google and found this.  It's for a mk5 but looks the same, and the the mk6 has the same screw that needs undoing first.

http://www.justanswer.com/uk-car/1h9tt-replace-fuel-filler-flap-mk5-golf.html

[sallyday10]

I think my pal would probably have some difficulty convincing VW Warranty that the fuel flap has disappeared due to a failure of a component of the car.

If the hinge had just decided to break, then the flap would probably still be held in place until the next 'release' from the driver - the flap would probably then be very obviously on the floor!

But the filler flap has just disappeared - one evening it was there, the next morning it was not, probably removed by some scrote for some reason or other.

So we reckon it's not covered by the VW warranty, and are planning on sourcing a replacment flap from Ebay/VW and having a go at fitting it ourselves.

Any ideas how to remove the snapped piece of bracket that remains/refit the replacement fuel flap?

Thanks,

Sally.

[Booth11]

Ah, I see.  It wasn't clear from your original post that the flap was stolen and missing, as you just said it had snapped off and part of the bracket still remained. Thought he might have still had the broken part.

Not sure but think you might have to undo the screw and remove the whole assembly in order to access and release the hinge mechanism.

[RedHP]

My flap (hinge) snapped whilst having my car washed. During the hand wash, apparently the pressure of the jet washer caused it.

I decided to take the cost hit on the chin and took to VW who quoted £80 for flap (sprayed in Candy White) including stickers and labour. They fitted the flap but with Diesel stickers inside !! (still waiting for this to be sorted)

Anyhoo, I am informed that the plastic hinges aren't the most sturdiest so can snap under pressure but don't get repaired at VW !

Red

[sallyday10]

Ok, I've managed to remove the flap, so for future reference here are my findings.

The flap is held in place by one star-headed (security type) screw which can be clearly seen with the fuel flap open (or missing in my case). One the screw is removed, the next step is to remove the filler cap, then carefully pull the rubber away from the neck of the fuel filler pipe (the bit that you put fuel in at the petrol garage).

Next, you can then start to tease the unit out towards you. The small drainage pipe at the bottom of the filler recess isn;t secured anywhere and just pushes down intoa large hole under the card - this can be clearly seen once the filler unit is removed.

Next, we're trying to remove the what remains of the hinge mechanism from the surrounding unit so we can replace just the filler flap.

More updates to follow.

[chris1h]

got this done on my Seat ibiza. exact same glossy black. had it on for 2 years now. great! isn't quite as shiny as it was at the beginning but probably down to not waxing.

car is kept immaculate with a wash every 2-3 weeks but the slightest bit of dirty water(rain) and there is marks on it. great in summer mind. stays shinny for longer (obviously)

 as for bird droppings. if your that bothered get it washed off as soon as you see it and no harm will be done!  makes a car look so different i belive. very cheap but huge impact on look of car !

[Mattyj]

Same as my old fabia easy peasy which is nice for a change