Fuel cover won't close - United Bimmer Community

**MSheraz86** · 10-31-2007, 05:01 PM

BMW 318i (2003)

The fuel cover won't close via the magnet like it used to. When I lock the car then the cover gets locked as well due to the pin that pops out into the hole on the cover/panel, which is fine.

However, when the car is unlocked and i'm driving the car, upon steering the wheel left or right the flap/panel/cover (dunno what to call it) pops open as the magnet is not able to hold it.

I am currently holding the cover with selotape and this is annoying because I have to remove and re-apply selotape after putting petrol in the car.

Any idea on what the cause could be?

I think i'll need to post pics up, which I don't mind doing and i'll take some pics tomorrow (if I remember) of the cover if required.

P.S. I really dispise the way how BMW made the fuel covers. Even my old car (VW Polo 1998) had a far better fuel cover sad to say

at least it didn't require a magnet to close the panel.

Any help on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks

denyo77 · 11-01-2007, 09:39 AM

uh... can you replace the magnet?

**Numark318i** · 11-01-2007, 10:48 AM

are you sure its a magnet?

I dont think mine is amagnet, its a piece of metal, that when its closed wedges the door shut...if that makes sence.

**MSheraz86** · 11-02-2007, 11:33 AM

It's like a magnet. I do apologise, I don't think calling it a magnet would make sense

It's hard to tell what it is since I dunno what you call it but i'll try to explain what the little thing is

When it is open the stick is outward, when you push the stick that is inside the rubber material it goes in and along with it I think it's supposed to close the fuel panel shut??

Apparently when pushed inwards it will NOT close the panel, there is no response either way.

A better word to describe it just came to my mind, SPRING

It's like a spring, a better description is like the spring that is inside a pen.

So like the pen in the above image, if you push it in it'll go in and stay there (provided spring is functioning well). I don't need to say the rest do I?

So the 'thing' or spring or whatever it is called functions like that. If I push it in it'll make a noise like a pen does, if I push in again it'll come out.

I don't know how this thing could possibly hold a metalic fuel panel??? Isn't there like a chance of some sort of spring that is perhaps missing?

**MSheraz86** · 11-02-2007, 07:50 PM

^^ Never mind that, I got pics now

Ok here we go....

In the following picture is the rubber spring thing that I dunno what to call, circled in white and it is closed (pushed in).

Same thing here but this time it's not closed so I pushed it in to make it pop out (like the example with the pen above). I know it's not clear enough but it was dark.

The following is the back of the fuel panel/cover. The part circled in red is where I was thinking a magnet goes??? As for the blue arrow, well unfortunately the rubber string that was attached to the fuel lid came off so it's attached behind the panel

(This isn't the problem here so it's not a major issue..)

As for the final picture, it could be that something from the right hand side (as indicated by the red arrow) behind the fuel panel is missing???? some sort of spring maybe?

**MSheraz86** · 11-06-2007, 07:38 PM

Nobody has any idea on this??

witeshark · 11-06-2007, 08:09 PM

There is a pin that holds my fuel door closed when central locking locks the car. Maybe there is something like a solenoid that needs to be replaced.

**B3M2W5i** · 11-06-2007, 08:22 PM

I think the hinge should have some type of spring which tensions the door either closed or open. You could possibly buy another cover, go to the dealership (ask Tischer to hook you up), or buy some Velcro to keep it shut.

**B3M2W5i** · 11-06-2007, 08:32 PM

If you look at this diagram, there is no magnet that belongs in place of the first picture you posted. I believe you will most likely need the parts listed number 5 and 6 but most likely 5 since I suspect the spring is the culprit. Luckily the spring seems to be really cheap.
05 SPRING 1 Part # 51171888374 $0.33

Heres the link to every other part related to the area. Good luck!

**MSheraz86** · 11-07-2007, 02:38 PM

^^ Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

That's like sooooo damn helpful!!! I seen another post on this forum about Alloy Wheels (ORIGINAL) damn this forum is MOST RECOMMENDED for a BMW car owner

P.S. I am not being sarcastic, am being real.

Foremost, THANK U SOOOOOO MUCH!!!

I recognise that shape (number 5). Apparently it's inside the armrest. I was wondering what on earth is that. Now I see

. Well it's absurd to see that someone (whoever had it before me) took that part out and placed it inside the armrest. Being the smartass that I often tend to be I kept that part and now I am glad that I kept it cause it'll be useful!

Thank you all for your awesome help

Oh about the magnet, well that's my weakness in "Describing" never been good at describing things

so part number 16 is the one I was talking about.

Edit: How do you buy the spring from the website???? It won't give me the option. I don't see why they cannot have a BMW 318i SALOON there

in such circumstances what alternative could I choose? so many sites out there that don't have a saloon option and don't have 318i option either.

**MSheraz86** · 11-11-2007, 07:52 AM

Any pointers on how to buy from that site or any other????

I need those parts if the spring that is inside my arm rest for the fuel area isn't functional.