A Locked Water Tank Filler Cap

Dad of Two
Dad of Two Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited March 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi

Has any body had to force the lock on a water tank filler cap, our Auto-Trail Motorhome has been in for a service (not locally) when we got home we found out that there was something stuck in the bottom of the lock which meant the key will not go fully home and Sods Law states that this can only happen when the cap is locked! I am prepared to force it by using a pair of pliers and screwdriver to try and force the lock, if this doesn't work I will have to replace the full unit but if anybody knows of a easier way to remove it please let me know but I guess there would be no point in making the cap lockable if there was an easy way to remove it!

Cap.JPG 14.5K

Comments

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #2

    Do  you  have  a  good  Locksmith  in  your  area  at  all  ??

    If  not  just  ask  one  of  those  'Street  Corner  Urchins'  --  you'd  be  surprised  at  what  they  can  open  and  so  quickly   too  surprised.

    Apart  from  that  I'm  afraid  I  cannot  help.

  • old ludlovian
    old ludlovian Forum Participant Posts: 132
    edited March 2017 #3

    Try drilling the lock out  .don't try forcing it .you might cause more damage to the walls of your motorhome being made of thin alliminium . hopefully you will be lucky and only have to buy a new locking barrel 

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #4

    A local locksmith would seem to be the best bet, but be prepared to purchase a new cap.

    If that is the case ask the locksmith to rekey it to match your existing locks.

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited March 2017 #5

    Have I got the wrong end of the stick or is your cap locked in situ and you can't remove it?

    I'm not sure if your water filler is similar to mine, or not, but when I had a similar problem I removed the three holding screws (marked X), eased away the unit from the bodywork which is held in place by extremely strong adhesive and pulled the whole of the unit out.

    Then released the clips that hold the water pipe to the plastic filler.

    With the unit out of the Motorhome, and no risk of contaminating your water supply or damaging anything important, you can perform all sorts of ways to get the key working again.

    There's always some guy at a local garage who knows what to do to get it working, at least there is at my local garage, and for the price of a pint you'll get it sorted.

    Putting it back is relatively easy and bobs your uncle – sorted.

     

     

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #6

    I expect you have tried a blast of water to "blow" out the culprit - or a blast of WD40?  or a magnet and fuse wire to dislodge.  Good Luck!

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #7

    A straightened out paperclip may help.

    If you have sufficient keys you could try grinding a little off the end of one so it goes in the right amount.

    Or try applying a high pressure washer to the lock barrel (only).

    Or something that fits easily down the key slot with a small dab of instant glue on the end!

  • Dad of Two
    Dad of Two Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited March 2017 #8

    Thanks for the reply's, I have previously  tried to "clean out" the barrel without any luck, been a bit busy this weekend so plan on removing the housing tonight when I get home and see if that gives me access to the tabs to release them, don't really like disturbing service points like this but its either that or burst the lock I suppose!

     

  • ScreenName72C074D16C
    ScreenName72C074D16C Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited October 2020 #9

    Did you manage to sort it. My son lost the key to mine. 🙄

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2020 #10

    ER, SN 72CO74 etc etc, not sure where this one came from but it is dated  27  /  03  /  2017

    It's a regular problem on here, posts popping up out of the mists of time just to confuse us oldsters on 'ere sniffle, snivel , sob surprised

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2020 #11

    Pretty sure I've a brand new one in my garage somewhere. Can't now remember why I needed it. 🤷‍♂️

  • Pard
    Pard Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited October 2020 #12

    Over the years I've found these locking caps a real pain. They seem to work intermittently at best.  And, yes, I've forced them without harm to the motorhome - they are not that strong.  I've always assumed it's me being hamfisted, but if I'm not alone as is suggested by ABM, then maybe it's time for a re-design by someone competent who actually uses the darned things.

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