Fresh water filler cap problem

[Folkranger]

This water filler cap hasn't locked since getting the van. The key has always turned but not locked the cap. Until now............. Went to remove the cap and it wouldn't move, clearly locked. Put in the key but it wouldn't turn at all and wouldn't pull out either.

Removed the cap by a process of brute force, waggling and prayer.

The key is stuck solid in the cap and no amount of impact maintenance, WD40 or pliers will remove it. I guess I'll have to decide whether to cut off the key and use the cap, or demolish the cap in the hope of extracting the key.
The key is one of the three that open all doors and flaps.

Anyone had this? and/or fixed it? suggestions welcome.

 

[Imala615]

Not so much a cassette full of human poo, it could be empty, and if some lowlife scum-
was looking to steal a spare cassette, well simples, there are people like these about....
........Just sayin.

Was on the aire at Toul in France recently and parked next to a french van that had a milenco lock fitted on the gaslow filler, on speaking to the driver he had had 2 caps pinched so just goes to show they will pinch anything.

 

[Purrfecttune]

If the barrel is a Zadi one as used on Hymers you can get a special key to extract it on ebay for around £10, replacement barrels and keys are available, you need to use the correct key for the barrel when fitting the new barrel not the extraction key.

Yes, it’s a Zadi.

 

[ChrisL]

Yes, it’s a Zadi.

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[Bobbydaisy]

Glad you got it sorted , if you are keeping it don’t use WD40 , it just washes away any lubricant that is in there . As suggested use a silicone spray or good old 4 in 1 oil or any type of grease , dip the key in the grease put key into lock and move key in and out a few times and turn it to lock and unlock to distribute the grease.

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[Folkranger]

They would say that wouldn't they,plenty of threads about seized locker hinges due to swollen bushes etc.

I would think they would be very cautious about putting anything like that in print in such direct terms that could be used in court. Most product claims are quite vague.

 

[Folkranger]

On the previous picture I noticed that one of the three lugs was damaged.
We have replaced the original ‘common’ blue cap twice within 2 years from new, both times because of lugs breaking due to poor operation and stiffness.
Our third replacement was a white cap (I think aimed at the marine community) much better quality, locks/unlocks smoothly and doesn’t feel like a loose fit like the previous two.
Don’t know if the barrel can swapped as I didn’t try and don’t mind having a different key to all the other lockers.

I drilled the lugs off to rescue the lock

 

[Folkranger]

Yes, it’s a Zadi.

Unfortunately the cap was preventing me removing the key. I have a new Zadi locking cap on order which means using a different key. I suppose I could buy the removal tool you mentioned to extract the new barrel and fit my old one so I only have one key for the MH. (depends on the lock type, I see there are various numbers quoted for the tool)

I think this type of cap (Blue Zadi) is made of poor quality plastic. It distorts badly in boiling water and I believe internal distortion of the plastic was responsible for jamming the lock barrel, preventing it from locking and eventually jamming the lock in the locked position.

 

[beesa650]

This water filler cap hasn't locked since getting the van. The key has always turned but not locked the cap. Until now............. Went to remove the cap and it wouldn't move, clearly locked. Put in the key but it wouldn't turn at all and wouldn't pull out either.

Removed the cap by a process of brute force, waggling and prayer.

The key is stuck solid in the cap and no amount of impact maintenance, WD40 or pliers will remove it. I guess I'll have to decide whether to cut off the key and use the cap, or demolish the cap in the hope of extracting the key.
The key is one of the three that open all doors and flaps.

Anyone had this? and/or fixed it? suggestions welcome.

My Locksmith mate told me never to use WD40, silicone or any liquid based stuff in a lock as it will eventually interfere with the mechanism. He recommended graphite powder in a puff applicator Into a dry lock… works for me!

 

[Stoosal]

Unfortunately the cap was preventing me removing the key. I have a new Zadi locking cap on order which means using a different key. I suppose I could buy the removal tool you mentioned to extract the new barrel and fit my old one so I only have one key for the MH. (depends on the lock type, I see there are various numbers quoted for the tool)

I think this type of cap (Blue Zadi) is made of poor quality plastic. It distorts badly in boiling water and I believe internal distortion of the plastic was responsible for jamming the lock barrel, preventing it from locking and eventually jamming the lock in the locked position.

In my case the cap wouldn’t turn to lock into place as the locking mechanism had seized. If I remember correctly this prevents the spring from being able to move and allow the cap to turn into the locking position. As soon as the lock was lubricated it was freed and worked as it should.