My fuel filler door started sticking right after I bought my 2000 GLE last year. It finally got to the point where it was more than just a minor nuisance, so I decided to fix it. After reading older posts here about dented doors, malformed hinges, broken/missing springs, etc., etc., I was prepared for the worst.

The problem turned out to be a simple maintenance issue. However, if I had let it go much longer, I would have ended up like the other posters, many of whom had to replace the door. That's pretty expensive, because it's hard to find a used door in good condition, and a new door has to be painted to match the car.

To get this working right, I used DuPont "Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant" (spray can) on the hinge. This product dries in a few minutes, leaving just the Teflon on the surface. The hinge was gummed up pretty badly, and it took several minutes working it back and forth with the lubricant to get it completely free and working smoothly. I finished up by spraying a small amount of lube into the plastic slide on the body that latches the door, and I put a dab of lithium grease on the end of the latch and also on the wear surface where the spring slides.

I don't normally post little things like this to forums, but I'm hoping it will serve as a warning to others. Anyone who still has a working, undamaged fuel filler door on a Gen 5 should at least lube the hinge so the door doesn't break. My vehicle is low mileage (50K) with no rust, and it's led a very sheltered life. Even so, the door was almost at the point where pulling it open would break the hinge or bend the door.

The symptom before I did the work was that the door would pop out about 1/4" when the button was pressed, but then it would pop back in, almost flush, when the button was released. Now it flies open like it should, and it stops wide open at about a 60-70 degree angle to the body. I figure that if I lube the hinge every year or two from now on, it will last the life of the vehicle.

 

Funny glad you posted i just ordered a fuel door off e bay for the car. In the right color hope it comes in great shape for $30

i have seen those fuel doors go bad on about every old Nissan i have seen. My friends 2004 I35 fuel door is shot. Can't find the door anywhere with KX6 color code.

I have never thought about doing maintenance, on the fuel.I'll have to look for that teflon spray at advance auto ,give it a try.

 

since we are talking about the fuel door has anyone ever replaced that plastic thing that latches the door shut, mine broke off and i have no idea how to remove it or replace it.

 

I haven't checked on my car, but I remember reading that it's accessible through the trunk. I guess you'll need to pull off the liner on that side to see it.

 

Ok great I will look into that