little white plastic piece inside gas cap

Jonnytennesse · 01-27-2010, 10:18 PM

It has a mechanism to go in and out. My gas cover was stuck and I pushed it, no response. Pushed harder. No response. Then...click. It opened. A little piece of white plastic was inside and was sheared off. I found where it came from. It was on the left lower side of the circle.

This is not the actual actual gas cap to the tank. Instead its the cover that you open to reach the cap. The little white thing seems to go in and out of a mechanism. Cant tell what it is for but mine is now broken off. The cap still works, shuts, stays shut no problem.

Should I be concerned? What is it? Get it fixed? Sorry no pix.

mspeasl · 01-27-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnytennesse

It has a mechanism to go in and out. My gas cover was stuck and I pushed it, no response. Pushed harder. No response. Then...click. It opened. A little piece of white plastic was inside and was sheared off. I found where it came from. It was on the left lower side of the circle.

This is not the actual actual gas cap to the tank. Instead its the cover that you open to reach the cap. The little white thing seems to go in and out of a mechanism. Cant tell what it is for but mine is now broken off. The cap still works, shuts, stays shut no problem.

Should I be concerned? What is it? Get it fixed? Sorry no pix.

Take the car back to the dealer and have him Warranty the problem..............

Island_370 · 01-28-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspeasl

Take the car back to the dealer and have him Warranty the problem..............

He broke the locking tab by forcing it to open...doesn't sound like a warranty claim me. I hope the dealer is willing to swap it out. I would guess it comes down to cost. Good luck.

PapoZalsa · 01-28-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island_370

He broke the locking tab by forcing it to open...doesn't sound like a warranty claim me. I hope the dealer is willing to swap it out. I would guess it comes down to cost. Good luck.

Island_370 · 01-29-2010, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Maybe I misread the original post...
He said he pushed to open and it failed, so he pushed harder, heard a "click" and then it opened. He did not know the cap was locked, so he forced it to open by pressing hard enough to snap the plastic tab. He did not know what it did---so I figured he did not know the cap locked. It does not sound like the cap won't unlock, he didn't know he had to unlock it.

To me that sounds like he broke the car, not that the car broke itself. The warranty is to cover defects in the car, not cover any part from being broken. A dent in the fender is not a warranty claim, it is a repair. But maybe the dealer will repair it in good faith. I wish him luck.

1slow370 · 01-29-2010, 05:51 AM

Damn and here i thought this was going to be the new big defect with the 2010's

Blue370tt · 12-28-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island_370

He broke the locking tab by forcing it to open...doesn't sound like a warranty claim me. I hope the dealer is willing to swap it out. I would guess it comes down to cost. Good luck.

Yo....jackalope.....mine broke the same way and WAS NOT FORCED OPEN! As the old saying goes.....dont assume!

370zAL · 03-23-2011, 02:38 PM

Isn't it supposed to unlock if in range of your smart key?

If its so easy to break, what's the use of it.

Personally I prefer a non-locking petrol access door or cap.
Rather have a few gallons of gas taken, than an expensive repair/paint job!

If I was certain that cover would stay closed, and still open when pushed, I'd
leave it broken. So if mine breaks I'll know the answer.

Jonnytennesse · 01-27-2010, 10:37 PM

I agree. I have to pick up my license plate and will let them know. But...what the devil is it and what does it do?

Trips · 01-27-2010, 10:43 PM

The locking mechanism seems to be broken.
If you lock the car with the alarm you should not be able to open your gas filler door, if you still can, the lock is broken, either live with it or take it to the dealer for it to be fixed, warranty at that point may cover it........

Josh@STILLEN · 01-27-2010, 11:27 PM

Yep.. that's the locking prong that secures the fuel door when the doors are locked.

If you want to see it in action simply lock the vehicle with the gas door open, you'll see the little plastic piece jump out..

jayhuffdaddy · 01-27-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnytennesse

It has a mechanism to go in and out. My gas cover was stuck and I pushed it, no response. Pushed harder. No response. Then...click. It opened. A little piece of white plastic was inside and was sheared off. I found where it came from. It was on the left lower side of the circle.

This is not the actual actual gas cap to the tank. Instead its the cover that you open to reach the cap. The little white thing seems to go in and out of a mechanism. Cant tell what it is for but mine is now broken off. The cap still works, shuts, stays shut no problem.

Should I be concerned? What is it? Get it fixed? Sorry no pix.

This happened to me the other day as well. Let me know the name of this or part number when you get it fixed so I can get mine fixed as well.

jayhuffdaddy · 01-27-2010, 11:34 PM

I hope this is covered under warrant on my 2010.

dalparadise · 01-27-2010, 11:45 PM

It definitely is.
Sounds like the "locking mechanism" on the fuel filler door is pretty cheesy, though.

In total, it would bring to two the number of things I've found below the quality aspects of a car of this caliber:

1. The floor mats -- cheapest carpet I have ever seen. Worst $100 I ever spent (they came from the factory -- but I technically worked them into my drastically reduced deal)
2. The locking thing on the fuel filler door. Really? it's a little plastic thing that goes in and out? Is this a ballpoint pen or a fuel filler door? Why not just leave it unlocked instead of this.
3. dishonorable mention: the tonneau cover hits its base a bit too hard and clunky in the top operation. It lacks a bit of refinement, but is nevertheless a pretty slick operation. So, the jury's still out on this one.

So, I'm still enjoying the ride.

mspeasl · 01-28-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalparadise

3. dishonorable mention: the tonneau cover hits its base a bit too hard and clunky in the top operation. It lacks a bit of refinement, but is nevertheless a pretty slick operation. So, the jury's still out on this one.

I took mine out the day I got the car and have not put it back in since. In my mind it just isn't worth the cost.

.

01-27-2010, 10:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jonnytennesse Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 10 Drives: 2010 370Z PG 6MT Rep Power: 185	little white plastic piece inside gas cap It has a mechanism to go in and out. My gas cover was stuck and I pushed it, no response. Pushed harder. No response. Then...click. It opened. A little piece of white plastic was inside and was sheared off. I found where it came from. It was on the left lower side of the circle. This is not the actual actual gas cap to the tank. Instead its the cover that you open to reach the cap. The little white thing seems to go in and out of a mechanism. Cant tell what it is for but mine is now broken off. The cap still works, shuts, stays shut no problem. Should I be concerned? What is it? Get it fixed? Sorry no pix.

01-27-2010, 10:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	The locking mechanism seems to be broken. If you lock the car with the alarm you should not be able to open your gas filler door, if you still can, the lock is broken, either live with it or take it to the dealer for it to be fixed, warranty at that point may cover it........ __________________

01-27-2010, 11:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
dalparadise The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 354 Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S Rep Power: 16	It definitely is. Sounds like the "locking mechanism" on the fuel filler door is pretty cheesy, though. In total, it would bring to two the number of things I've found below the quality aspects of a car of this caliber: 1. The floor mats -- cheapest carpet I have ever seen. Worst $100 I ever spent (they came from the factory -- but I technically worked them into my drastically reduced deal) 2. The locking thing on the fuel filler door. Really? it's a little plastic thing that goes in and out? Is this a ballpoint pen or a fuel filler door? Why not just leave it unlocked instead of this. 3. dishonorable mention: the tonneau cover hits its base a bit too hard and clunky in the top operation. It lacks a bit of refinement, but is nevertheless a pretty slick operation. So, the jury's still out on this one. So, I'm still enjoying the ride. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite Roadster - Tour/Sport/6MT/GReddy SE catback/B&M short shift If the top is up, it must be parked. Last edited by dalparadise; 01-27-2010 at 11:53 PM.

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01-29-2010, 05:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	Damn and here i thought this was going to be the new big defect with the 2010's

03-23-2011, 02:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
370zAL Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: O.C. Cypress,California Posts: 11 Drives: 10 370Z PW 7AT, Rep Power: 15	Isn't it supposed to unlock if in range of your smart key? If its so easy to break, what's the use of it. Personally I prefer a non-locking petrol access door or cap. Rather have a few gallons of gas taken, than an expensive repair/paint job! If I was certain that cover would stay closed, and still open when pushed, I'd leave it broken. So if mine breaks I'll know the answer.

01-27-2010, 10:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jonnytennesse Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 10 Drives: 2010 370Z PG 6MT Rep Power: 185	I agree. I have to pick up my license plate and will let them know. But...what the devil is it and what does it do?

01-27-2010, 11:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Josh@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,197 Drives: 2004 G35 Coupe 6MT Rep Power: 534	Yep.. that's the locking prong that secures the fuel door when the doors are locked. If you want to see it in action simply lock the vehicle with the gas door open, you'll see the little plastic piece jump out..

01-27-2010, 11:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
jayhuffdaddy Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southeast Posts: 200 Drives: P/G 2010 370Z Rep Power: 16	I hope this is covered under warrant on my 2010.