411 petrol flap

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Rob 400e
Posts: 241
Joined: 5th August 2017 - 2:21pm
Location: Burnley

411 petrol flap

Post by Rob 400e » 13th May 2020 - 12:06pm

Before changing out my rusted and battered o/swing the petrol flap worked perfectly closed and locked with a gentle push. Now it won’t close unless I reach in the car through the open window and pull on the lever.
On my catch the articulating part is on the top I’m thinking it should be on the bottom but there is no way I could turn the mechanism 180 degrees it’s to rigid. My question is should it be on the top or the bottom? There is a little movement to be had at the fixing screws I’ve tried a bit of lateral movement with no effect.
Any ideas would be appreciated cheers in advance.
Type 411 Le four door auto .

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937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by 937carrera » 16th May 2020 - 8:56pm

It's a fiddly adjustment, especially when the moving finger is worn

I can't remember which way it goes, but it does only go one way
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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Rob 400e
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Joined: 5th August 2017 - 2:21pm
Location: Burnley

Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by Rob 400e » 18th May 2020 - 10:56am

Before I rip the carpet off the bulkhead where the pull cable passes through is there an adjustment to the cable at that point?
Type 411 Le four door auto .

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937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by 937carrera » 18th May 2020 - 10:51pm

No there is no adjustment at that end, it's a fixed length cable with an adjustable mounting position on the wing.

If it makes you feel better I have the same issue on my 412LS, but I think the pawl is badly worn. Yous used to work OK, so it can only be adjustment.
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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Rob 400e
Posts: 241
Joined: 5th August 2017 - 2:21pm
Location: Burnley

Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by Rob 400e » 19th May 2020 - 6:54pm

Cheers David will have a play at the flap end.
Type 411 Le four door auto .

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JSR-69
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Location: Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire
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Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by JSR-69 » 20th May 2020 - 3:52pm

The little box at the flap end contains the mechanism and it fills up with general road grime and gets stiffer and eventually stops moving. The side opposite the cable entry is a steel plate which can, with care, be prised out of the housing. You need to do this when it's not attached and is a lot easier with the wing off. Then you can clean out the crud, squirt plenty of Plusgas or Morris's MD4 into it to help flush everything out. All this time you or a helper can be pulling and pushing on the handle inside the car to help the process. Finally, hold the end up, inject as much oil - 3-in-1 is ideal - into the box so that it trickles down the cable. Then put the closure plate back and put it back on the car.

Judi
Judi R
1963 Beetle (awaiting restoration)
1972 Karmann Ghia (sold)
1972 412 Variant Auto
1974 412 5-door Variant project

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Rob 400e
Posts: 241
Joined: 5th August 2017 - 2:21pm
Location: Burnley

Re: 411 petrol flap

Post by Rob 400e » 21st May 2020 - 7:05pm

Hi the cable moves freely, the issue is the articulating piece on the cable end. It needs adjustment to line it up more with the rigid section if that makes sense.
Type 411 Le four door auto .

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