How to remove gas tank filler cap

[aigram]

Unfortunately there is a foreign object in my gas tank, and it's stuck. I need to remove the entire gas cap assembly in order to have better access with a parts grabber tool. Are the allen bolts around the outer ring of the gas cap all that need to come out in order to remove the gas cap assembly? Are there any seals or gaskets that could likely be destroyed by removing the gas cap?

[Pat Conlon]

Going by memory, there are only 3 Allen bolts that actually secure the cap assembly to the tank, with one of the allens under the cap hinge....you have to unlock and open the cap to get to it.
You can remove all the extra allens on the trim ring.
No gaskets are involved.

[ribbert]

Unfortunately there is a foreign object in my gas tank, and it's stuck. I need to remove the entire gas cap assembly in order to have better access with a parts grabber tool....

If it's big enough to require removing the cap assembly to remove it and it's "stuck", how did it get in there and how did it get stuck, are you sure you're not looking at the sender unit for the fuel gauge?

Noel

[aigram]

It is most certainly not the fuel level float
How did it get in? It fell in. And then found a nice nook to jam itself in.

Thanks, Pat. I found the 3 Allen's you mentioned. Are you saying that the Allen's around the ring of the fill cap are just for that piece of trim?

[RPM - Robert]

To remove, there are thee on the outer ring and one under the cap for all flush mount FJ caps.

[Pat Conlon]

Just take all of them out, no biggie.....you'll see where the long ones are....

[ribbert]

It is most certainly not the fuel level float
How did it get in? It fell in. And then found a nice nook to jam itself in.

Whoa....ease up there....we're only trying to help.

I don't know you, so all I have to go on is your question at face value and that set the bar for the response. You asked how to remove the fuel cap, if you need to ask that question (and there's nothing wrong with that) it is reasonable that the appearance of the fuel sender unit may not be familiar to you (and the fact that large unidentified foreign objects wedged in fuel tanks without explanation is hardly common!).

Noel

[ribbert]

....just out of interest, what is the foreign object?

[aigram]

Thanks Robert, cheers.
The culprit is a skinny flathead driver. While draining the tank I inadvertently knocked it in. Trying to get it out I believe I may have pinned it behind the fuel level assembly.

It wasn't the best of Sunday afternoons in the garage.

[Paul.1478]

I was going to guess flash light...

[T Legg]

I couldn't help imagining an illegal alien hiding in the tank.

[aigram]

Got it out, thanks all for the insight. The trim ring holding the filler cap assembly together really seems a lot less official now that I know only 3 bolts in the whole thing actually attach it to the gas tank body...

[ZOA NOM]

I couldn't help imagining an illegal alien hiding in the tank.

NO ONE is ILLEGAL! How DARE YOU! /s

[FJmonkey]

I couldn't help imagining an illegal alien hiding in the tank.

NO ONE is ILLEGAL! How DARE YOU! /s

Maybe Travis meant unauthorized for entry of enclosed spaces. Don't want to OSHA involved.