Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Interior gas cap problem with key mechanism

Has anyone else had issues with their interior gas cap that you remove with the key? Normally, you insert the key, give it a quarter turn, and remove the gas cap with the key still locked in. The key can be removed once the cap has been turned back the quarter turn to its original position. However, while on a road trip this past weekend, I inserted the key, gave it its customary quarter turn, and the key came right back out. I could insert and have the key in any position within that quarter turn and it would simply pull right back out.

I had traveled to a British car show so with the help of some some other experienced car owners, originally thought about removing the entire gas cap assembly (Morgan didn't make that easy either), but another guy after fiddling and wiggling the gas cap, eventually got it to relock and could remove the cap. Since that time I've simply left the interior cap out, and relied on the outer seal to retain my gas.

I've tried to disassemble the interior cap itself, but don't see how these parts dissassemble. The mechanism is still very tight and has a lot of resistance to turning. I can also hear a small piece of something rattling around inside. The locking mechanism is inconsistent, sometimes properly locking, sometimes it allows the key to slip back out. I think the loose piece inside may have something to do with the locking mechanism.

Thoughts?

I have exactly the same problem on my 2020 Roadster. I got in touch with the manufacturer of the locking portion of the cap (there is a web site address on the cap) and they suggested lubricating the visible portions of the mechanism with Vaseline. This appears to have worked short term but long term I am not so sure.

Removed it on day1 and never looked back.

Likewise. It does not affect the operation of the car to drive without it. Unless you have a problem with fuel theft, I would remove it.

Ditto

Or problems with undesired 'additions' to your fuel tank. Security is the only reason to deal with that bothersome plug, not operation.

I took mine out and it has been in a drawer in the shop for the last 3k miles. The only person it kept out of the fuel tank was me!

Try some graphite in the lock? Simple get a pencil and scrape the graphite with a knife into the lock entrance then wiggle the key around, Worth a try?
I've noticed mine is getting very stiff with age...

Thank you for all the input guys. I will probably follow your leads and simply leave it out.

I'm not sure if I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem, but I'm glad to know I can always count on some level of feedback when I do run across an issue.

Thanks,
Craig

Like KankeL I removed mine on the first day of ownership a few years ago and it has never been a problem since.
The best place to keep it is in a drawer somewhere.