check your fuel/gas flap brackets/hinges

[shogun]

check them before the fuel / gas door is gone and you need a new one with newpainting. Here the how to do + pics , and part numbers of E32 and E34 are the same as mentioned
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/606526

[Kibokojoe]

I have gone out to my bimmer twice and still can't figure out what you are doing here. I guess I am thick. Your yellow arrows seem to be pointing to the hinge shaft. I can't really see the probe you are using.

[Kibokojoe]

Glad I looked at this the gas flap door it was just about to fall off. I see now that you need to use a hook to release the clips. I have a small 45 degree needle hook. If you place the hook into the hinge and pry between the plastic clip (left side) and the metal (right side), the clip will release. Push in the direction of the red arrow. Starting with the bottom clip and then doing the same thing on the top clip. Really need a good light and some good glasses to see :)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/flapper.jpg


check them before the fuel / gas door is gone and you need a new one with newpainting. Here the how to do + pics , and part numbers of E32 and E34 are the same as mentioned
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/606526

[shogun]

Another one, and for sure more will find it broken.
The old one you can easily break off, actually no need to use a hook.
To slip the new one it, use a bit of WD-40 or similar stuff, then the clips hook in to secure the new hinge.
I will use you pic too as a "nice example".
Looks like your metal clip is completely missing.

[shogun]

Quote:
Hey everybody, Shogun has ESP. Today I put gas in my 735i for the first time since I bought it last week and you guessed it...the door is just hanging on exactly as Shogun talks about here. Thanks a lot for the timely post. I'll get the parts tomorrow.
by omcx1e E32 owner
unquote

I should buy shares in the maker of the hinges:D

[Kibokojoe]

The top clip was broken. Just had to disengage the lower clip and she fell right off. Didn't know there was a metal clip? I took the whole flap apart and gave it a good cleaning. I wrote Gale and asked if (he or she?) has any of the hinges left. No response yet

[Kibokojoe]

You know now that I think about it... I have at least 2 or 3 bimmers driving around without gas flaps. So this is what happened. I have a friend at work with a bimmer I will have to tell him about this. Thanks

[shogun]

Gale (he) probably does not have them anymore, they are quite cheap at the dealer.
Bracket costs around $10. p/n is 51171928197
spring clip 51171969235
or on Ebay
http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=bmw+gas+tank+fuel+door+hinge&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=bmw+e32+fuel+hinge&_osacat=0

Pelicanparts clip $2.25 and the hinge $8.50 (But not OEM)
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&command=DWsearch&description=51171969235&I1.x=10&I1.y=7&FILTER_BMWM=ON&FILTER_TECH=ON&FILTER_SUPP=ON&FILTER_ACCE=ON&FILTER_CARE=ON&FILTER_STUF=ON&FILTER_PERF=ON&FILTER_MISC=ON&FILTER_GADG=ON&FILTER_TOOL=ON
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_Search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&FILTER_BMWM=ON&FILTER_ACCE=ON&FILTER_CARE=ON&FILTER_STUF=ON&FILTER_PERF=ON&FILTER_MISC=ON&FILTER_GADG=ON&FILTER_TOOL=ON&FILTER_SUPP=ON&FILTER_TECH=ON&command=DWsearch&command=DWsearch&REFINE=Y&FORUM_REFER=&description=51171928197+&FILTER_SUPP2=ON&FILTER_TECH2=ON&FILTER_BMWM2=ON&FILTER_ACCE2=ON&FILTER_CARE2=ON&FILTER_STUF2=ON&FILTER_PERF2=ON&FILTER_MISC2=ON&FILTER_GADG2=ON&FILTER_TOOL2=ON&description=51171969235&x=32&y=12&FILTER_BMWM=12&FILTER_ACCE=12&FILTER_CARE=12&FILTER_STUF=12&FILTER_PERF=12&FILTER_MISC=12&FILTER_GADG=12&FILTER_TOOL=12&FILTER_SUPP=12&FILTER_TECH=12&FILTER_SUPP2=12&FILTER_TECH2=12&FILTER_BMWM2=12&FILTER_ACCE2=12&FILTER_CARE2=12&FILTER_STUF2=12&FILTER_PERF2=12&FILTER_MISC2=12&FILTER_GADG2=12&FILTER_TOOL2=12

[Kibokojoe]

Headed to the dealer $12.95 first reasonably prices part I have ever received from the dealer

[Kibokojoe]

$13.13 including the Governor. Couldn't really remember how the spring came off but after a minute I figured it out.

[shogun]

Yes, with the clip I was also a bit puzzled first how the correct position is. Then I checked it on one of our parts cars. that was easiest.
That is why I made 2 pics from each side to see how the clip is installed, see here
http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html

[Kibokojoe]

Yes I have seen this page but I don't see what the clip pointed out by the red arrow does. If you observe this clip when you reinstall the hinge you will see the clip doesn't engage anything. Unless I am missing something

[nirvana19]

anyone have some ideas about how to get the metal spring/clip back on once you're already mounted the hinge. I know you're supposed to put it on before you mount the hinge, but if anyone has ever managed it I'd love to know how. I suppose brute force must do it.

[shogun]

best is you remove it as shown on my site, there are 3 clips you have to release, see the yellow and red arrows
http://twrite.org/shogunnew/fixes/body.html
"The flap is held on by 3 clips that are integral to the hinge.
What you need is a thin hooked probe, as shown here. The hook here is about 3mm long and is a right angle.
The hook is placed into the spaces indicated and twisted to release the plastic hooks (yellow arrows) from the square metal mounting plate on the chassis.
It may help to look at the new hinge to see what is needed.
The trick is that you must pull the flap away from the car quite strongly to stop the clips from springing back.
Start with the bottom one, then the top one, and finally the 3rd clip-- red arrow.
With the flap off, release the spring from the hinge (green arrow below)
Use a small flat screwdriver to lift up the mounting clips (2 black arrows below) and slide the hinge off the flap.
Lubricate the flap clips of the new hinge with with some silicon dry grease (yellow arrows below) and mount the new hinge.
Remount the hinge to the chassis --- you are done!"

[Kibokojoe]

I don't think you can do it because the hinge has to be closed to install it. Use a metal hook like Shogun has illustrated. I made the mistake of putting the new hinge and flap back on before I installed the spring. ***duhhh***Had to remove it and install the spring. I learned a trick,,, with the flap door open pull lightly up on the flap while pushing the flap door back toward the back of the vehicle. Do the same with both clips, top and bottom.