Volvo fuel door issues wont latch rant

[oragex]

Check this video how to fix the hinge with two screws. It also talks about be lock pin that may fail

[cuhfs]

Thank you for the post.

[cn90]

- It is my turn...

- Magnet is a great solution.

- In a previous post, some people drill through body metal, I don't like it b/c of risk of rusting later (may or may not be important).

- Photo above by "Volvo Ocean Race" using "Cable Tie" is nice, but not everyone has the Cable Tie.

- My solution is very simple:
* Go to your local roofing/gutter company and ask for 2 sheet metal screws, these screws are galvanized and should not rust (or you can paint them with black paint when you are done).
* Drill 2 pilot holes toward the front of the car, this way the screws do not pierce the body work.
* These screws work perfectly b/c once they are about 3-4mm into the plastic, they hold the spring against the plastic frame.
* Note the orientation of the spring: the "short ends" go inward.
* I added a bit of grease where there is movement.

- That is it folks, it is a FREE fix! It works perfectly...

[mrbrian200]

I'll tell ya right now, you gotta paint those so they aren't noticeable. If you don't you'll feel wounded every time you put gas in the car.

[cn90]

Nah,

- The screws are the same color as the spring. It is hardly noticeable.
- I guess I can paint it black when I have nothing else to do LOL...

[June]

The plastic fuel door hinge has been similar if not the same all the way back to my 1989 740. I broke the hinge on the 740 when I stumbled over the pump hose in high heels and very much appreciated the breakaway design as neither the door or fender were damaged. Just a cheap to replace plastic hinge. Had the hinge been tough metal undoubtedly body dammage or damage to me would have happened. There is a good side. True it was embarrassing to drive the car in without a fuel door and admit that I broke it off.

My 2004 Volvo's original hinge cracked in 2016 so I am on my second with my current car. I hadn't noticed but my mechanic did and replaced it. The door always has worked as designed. No flapping in the wind, but I always lock my doors before driving. June

[mrbrian200]

I can appreciate the breakaway hinge design. But the hinge itself isn't what causes all the anguish. The little nubs that retain the tension spring need to be wider so that they don't break so easily. Same as retrofitting little screws as a repair, reinforcing this shouldn't interfere with the plastic hinge assembly separating from the body of the car if you stumble while fueling the car.

[June]

I can appreciate the breakaway hinge design. But the hinge itself isn't what causes all the anguish. The little nubs that retain the tension spring need to be wider so that they don't break so easily. Same as retrofitting little screws as a repair, reinforcing this shouldn't interfere with the plastic hinge assembly separating from the body of the car if you stumble while fueling the car.

I read above where it was suggested a metal hinge wouldn't cost Volvo much more. Often on MVS I read somehow Volvo cheapens their cars on purpose due to Ford. I was pointing out that maybe Volvo uses plastic a hinge for a reason and how once I appreciated that breakaway hinge, not to mention 1989 was long before Ford.June

[mrbrian200]

I read above where it was suggested a metal hinge wouldn't cost Volvo much more. Often on MVS I read somehow Volvo cheapens their cars on purpose due to Ford. I was pointing out that maybe Volvo uses plastic a hinge for a reason and how once I appreciated that breakaway hinge, not to mention 1989 was long before Ford.June

I agree a plastic hinge is fine there. They just need to use .0002 cents worth more plastic at those spring retention fingers so they don't break. No Ford didn't do this. I am definitely one of those who are super critical of Ford products. Probably stems from my personal experiences with Ford vehicles: 2 '70s-somethings full size sedans were both really good solidly built vehicles. sometime after that Ford drove off the rails. Two late '80s Tauruses were junk (compared to other GMs and a Toyota I owned from that same era). A friend's '08 Lincoln MKX seemed nice until he detailed how much money he'd thrown at it @8years/130k miles. It was genuinely obscene: around $3-4k/year starting not long after he bought it off lease.

[cn90]

...It is part of the locking device and this lock has a time delay built into the software so that the tank can be filled while the car is locked...It will lock by itself after about 10 minutes...It NEVER locks immediately when you leave the car and lock it, whether you do do it remotely or with the key...

OK,

My experience in my 2004 V70 with 103K miles.

- Just fixed the door spring issue (2 sheet metal screws) on my driveway. Locked the door using master lock driver's side (turning the tumbler twice clockwise as usual).
Next day, came out...the fuel door is not latched by the electrical motor, i.e., pin from electrical motor is NOT extended out to latch the fuel door.

- Drove to work, parked the car. Checked the fuel door, it was latched, i.e., cannot open my fuel door.

So:

1. The business of locking the master door and "wait 10 minutes so the fuel door is locked" did not work for me.
2. Driving > 10 mph did the trick.