fuel cap problem can i solve it this way

[eggyannie]

We purchased our Bambi from who we thought were reputable dealers but got bitten, we have now had to spend out £1000.00 on geting it ready for what we think safe to travel in.. No Not complaining as i love the Bambie and knew that we were not buying brand new. The last problem we have is the fuel cap, after 20 years its a bit loose and is not lockable. the garage we use tried four different ones with no joy and a replacement is hard to find. Yes i have conntacted Tim but all the emails come back from mail demon so i give in there.
I have also found out that others in a different club have been unable to find a replacement
Ok you had the explanation and now for the laughter.
Please understand this is a born again blond over 60 female thinking outside the box
is it possible to add an extension to the existing fuel pipe useing a section from another fuel tank that has a relatively modern fuel cap.
My idea being to insert a new section of pipe into the Bambi fuel pipe and secure it in place useing metal mesh and glass fibre.
I know that the chemicals in the new lead free fuel reacts with the resin if left in conntact, as found out by several bikers who replaced the fuel tank with a fibre glass one.
however, the glass fibre compound is not in conntact with the actual fuel itself but simply acting as a fixing agent for the extension to the existing pipe.
if this is feasable it would solve two problems. One the difficulty of seeing the actual fuel pipe opening when filling and also by being able to lock the fuel cap and stop any escaping fumes and also deter theft of our petrol.
your comments or suggestions please as i have very little money left now. annie the bcwench

[chris (zaphod)]

A universal replacement cap is available from Halfords, and fits very well indeed, this one, and will make any future MoT examiner happy, too. Fit this, and it shall save adding new sections, etc... ;D

Do not be tempted by temporary caps, as they are designed for emergency use, and are now an MoT fail ( the push-in type.)

HTH

[eggyannie]

thanks for that one now for the difficult part. Halfords. oh dear we have one near us in Kidderminster. I called in there yesterday as i wanted some cargo white paint and prime. The woman one the main desk was busy doing her nails so i waited about a minute and then apologised for disturbing her but could she tell me where i could find the plastic padding..... Err what's it for? I explained it was for body repair on vehicles. Oh. Err i think its over there. she pointed a finger in the general direction of the far wall. I found some and then decided to get the primer and paint while i was there so back to the main desk again... once more i stood and waited for her to finish putting on another coat of nail varnish before interrupting her again. Sorry to disturb you but do you sell cargo white paint and the primer? i got a blank look and was told to ask at the bottom desk. iI walked to the back of the store to the deserted desk and waited. I then noticed a young man bent over a cardboard box full of books that he was reading. Excuse me I called. he jumped at the sound of my voice and almost fell over. Could you tell me if you sell cargo white paint please. He came over to the desk. and kindly explained that he could not serve me because he had not got his uniform on
I then informed him that i was only inquiring if they sold cargo white paint. Err what's it for?
It 's to paint a Bedford rascal van. Oh! you could hear the groaning of the hinge on the brain cell door as it opened to allow some information to escape. then the flash of inspiration was seen. I'll ask some one.
He then went to talk to another young man. This one looked no brighter but did at least have a uniform on.
the inevitable "Can I help you" issued forth but by this time i was getting tad annoyed so replied that Yes he could if a brain was issued with the uniform.
Do you sell cargo white paint?.
No but we can mix you some.what is it for
I once more explained it was for painting a Bedford rascal van.. He as obviously none the wiser for that information but walked off towards the bottom desk.
May be now i could get some result.
He asked if i wanted to brush it on or spray it. I told him I wanted to spray it.
Then his face lit up as he sweetly informed me that the machine that mixed the paint for the spray cans was broken.
By this time i was getting well into the comedy duo act and decided that i would confuse him totally by informing him i had changed my mind over painting the van and would spray it with glue and stick feathers on it instead. With that I walked out of t.
The shop.
Now you want me to return to the place of the walking dead and ask for a universal petrol cap?.Yea. I can just imagine what i would reply if he asked me what i wanted a universal one size fits all cap for. if any lady is reading this please explain to the men what could possible be the answer to that question.
Do they sell them in any other shop please. annie the bcwench

[duncanamps]

Hi Annie, try www.petrolcaps.com as that's where my last one came from. Type in BEDFORD as manufacturer then pick Rascal in the next box.

[eggyannie]

Thank you Duncan i have just been and ordered one. expencive at £25.00 but cheaper than a tank of petrol if some one decided to empty it for me.
Any thing is better than returning to the Twilight Zone again
Annie

[eggyannie]

had a problem with the fuelcap from these folk the key just would not turn even my mechanic could not do it. i conntacted the dealer who siad he tried all the caps before they go out.. my mechanic agreed with me that he flanged edge was actually back to front.
Ok i took a risk and decided to do a bit of work on the cap as i had not got a locking cap and at fuel its present price i really neaded one in our area.
I have minnie craft drill and some grinding discs and went to work. first i sloped the leading edges that are suposed to go forward and lift the spring. there was no way it could do that as it was straigth butted.
i tested it out and realised that the gap between the top of the flange wa too high so lowered it down about 1/16th and tried it again almot but not quite so took it down a little more. tested again and it works. so now i have a locking petrol cap at last. yes i am a poor old lady with grey hair and addle brained. but no one told me i could not do it.BCWench

[duncanamps]

Thanks for the feedback Annie, it seems that some of these caps work and some need a little filing or grinding to make them fit.

I was speaking to someone at a BOC rally I've just come back from and he's done a bit of research - apparently it's the tank fillers that vary slightly from pickup to pickup!