HELP! 1976 Spider 124 Fuel Cap

[Spider112515]

Hello fellow Fiat owners. I'm new to the board and I just purchased a 1976 124 Spider and I cant get the original stock fiat locking fuel cap to open. Turn the key clockwise(locking) and the cap just spins. Turn the key counter clockwise and the cap stops at 8 when turned clockwise and 10 when turned counter clockwise. I've tried nearly every combination of twists, turns and pulls I can think of. Any tricks, tips or suggestions?

[bradartigue]

Welcome to the crazy.

Most likely because that's not an original cap; no Spider had a locking fuel cap. Remove it, throw it away, get a stock cap.

[Spider112515]

Thanks for the tip. The cap has writing in italian that says open and an arrow.

[bradartigue]

Thanks for the tip. The cap has writing in italian that says open and an arrow.

Spiders had a black cap. So basic you'd think it wasn't stock.

[Spider112515]

Thanks again. This cap is chromed and the edges are clipped and beveled like an octagon. Your comments are appreciated and my give me liberty to cut the thing off.

[So Cal Mark]

most of the locking caps I've seen on Spiders don't spin once they're unlocked. After the key is turned the cap comes right off

[baltobernie]

...give me liberty to cut the thing off.

Go slow with a sharp (manual) hacksaw and plenty of oil. I don't wish to insult you, but I'm sure more than one individual has said, "OH SH.....!" using an angle grinder near gasoline vapors.

[Spider112515]

No insult taken. Safety first always. I'm sure this cap was opened by the previous owner but he has passed away. I'll do a little more digging and maybe find a site where I can post a photo of the cap. I'd rather not destroy it as it is italian for sure. Please keep any suggestions coming. It's raining here in Oregon so I'm not in any hurry.....yet.

[DieselSpider]

Many of those you pushed firmly down on, turned the key and then released after which they would pop right out. If you don't press on some of them firmly enough the catches may not be able to retract.

[RRoller123]

post some pictures?

[Spider112515]

We have lift off.....or should I say the caps off. So this is a Fiat gas cap also known as a Fiat FAAB gas cap. Google it. It says liberto on the front by the key hole, liberto means free and the arrow faces counter clockwise. On the inside, once off is the word FAAB with the middle of the F making up the horizontal lines in the A's and B. I've been to Italy and even keys for doors work in reverse of ours. Turn the key to the left and the cap lock spins free, turn it to the right and it stops at 8 and 10 as I said in my first post. The cap spins over the threads like most locking caps. When it stopped turning counter clockwise at the 10 mark, it wouldn't go any further with a hard hand. I decided to use more force and use strap wrench(so as not to scratch the chrome). Once the force was applied the cap spun off as it should. I've lightly oiled the cap mechanism and it works like a charm. I'm on to figuring out whats wrong with the carb....maybe it just ran out of gas and pulled crap into the filter. I can only hope. Thanks for all the assistance folks, see ya'll again soon!