Fuel fill caps on '04 SN 196

[jthooker]

Both of the fuel fill caps on my '04 SN 196 are hard to unscrew all the way out even after the o-ring unseats.
Also hard to screw back in.
Obviously a thread binding problem.
Don't want to lube with Never-Seize or anything messy like that.
Anybody have a similar problem?
Solutions?
It's also a nuisance to get the chain to stay in the filler hole
when I replace the cap without tipping the boat over on its side. :grin:

[j2nh]

ditto

Similar to my 05 196. I have never been a fan of the side fill tank. Great at the gas station, pain at the lake with a 5 gallon can. The chain that holds the cap is longer than what I had on my 02 and getting it all back in is that much more difficult.

Make sure you don't have any sand in the threads, maybe clean them with a q-tip. Try a little WD-40 and see if that doesn't fix it. I would stay away from anti-seize, that stuff has a way of getting everywhere. Perhaps a touch of grease.

[jthooker]

Fuel fill caps on '04 SN 196

j2nh, Thanks for the response.
The threads are clean. No sand, etc.
I guess I was putting any kind of grease in the “messy” category.
I’ll try a little white grease and see if that helps.
Couldn’t be much worse than the occasional fuel drips.
I’m thinking about rigging small stainless extension springs on the
chains to pull in the slack.

[JayG80]

RE: Fuel fill caps on

I have a petty annoyance with my 02 SN.

The chain from the cap attaches to a piece that I will call a flange for lack of accurate term. When fueling with plastic cans, the nozzle works the flange loose. If I am not careful when removing the nozzle, I will drop the entire cap assembly into the lake.

This is the case on both fuel caps. I have tightened the set screws but it still is an issue. My next step is to install longer set screws. Is there any type of epoxy I can use that is stable enough to cement the flange in place.

[Rick]

RE: Fuel fill caps on

Rub a candle on the threads. This will lube them without the mess.

[jthooker]

Rick,

The candle wax is a neat idea.
I'll try it this weekend.
Could have used your good advice when
I posted this back in Aug. '05. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:
Thanks for the tip!