Laguna II - Flappy Fuel Filler Flap Fix

I decided to fix my fuel filler flap yesterday as it was no longer staying open at the pump [annoying]. :(



Looking inside I noticed that both the plastic springs that should be pressing on the inside of the flap where loose.



I pulled the painted flap section of its holder by depressing the two retaining points and then pulled the hinge pin to remove it.



I wiggled both the springs and they just broke away. I managed to pull what was left of them out of their slots with some long nosed pliers.

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The design of theses springs was truly appalling - It looks like they were designed to fail because they both broke along a fracture line which was built into the casting. :mad:

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I new I would have to glue them back together somehow but this would be very difficult due to the mechanical stress they would be under. In the end I used three different types of glue!

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First I used super glue to hold springs together so I could put them back into place. [ Super glue is good but is very brittle].

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I then used epoxy putty poked into the gap behind the springs to stop them moving back and then epoxy resin all over the point at which the springs broke at the front to re-enforce the joint. I then left the repair overnight before re-assembling the next morning.

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The fuel filler flap now works as it should and I'm very happy. :d

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Total cost of the repair was just £10 for the glues - far less than the £££'s a garage would charge as I doubt you can buy the plastic springs by themselves.