Replacement chromed fuel filler cap

[fastlap]

Recently acquired a top-notch Tunis Beige 280SL from '68.   The car has a black plastic replacement M-B fuel filler cap which is perfectly serviceable, but a solid metal chromed item (presumed original?) was supplied loose with the car.   Problem is that a key has snapped off inside the lock at some point in the past.   All attempts to dismantle the cap or extract the key have so far failed and patience is running out ... ... ... not least since it may not be the original cap anyway, in which case even if the errant key was removed none of the car keys would operate it, rendering it useless.

Best solution might be to source a replacement - either M-B or a good replica.   Does anyone have any good or bad experiences which could give us a steer??

Thanks all - Martin

[66andBlue]

Martin,
Before you give up taking your existing one part apart take a look at these instructions:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Fuel/LockingGasCap
It may be difficult finding a new one with a tumbler that fits your existing key - I assume your car does have  three keys and not yet the single key system of the later 280SLs.

[fastlap]

Alfred, thanks.   We had clocked this link before, but despite these instructions we've still failed - which may be a sign of our technical ineptitude, or that the problems with our cap are more serious.

You're right to say that our car has the earlier three-key setup - although right now we're working with four, since the black plastic filler cap on the car (being non-original) has its own separate key, rather than being coded to one of the car's original three.   If we were to find a replacement metal cap it would need to come with a key, since I wouldn't expect to find a cap which matched one of the car's factory keys ... ... ... but given that we're already used to working with four keys that wouldn't be an issue.

Martin

[wd]

Not to overlook the obvious, as I often do when I get involved in trying to fix something, have you taken it to a locksmith?  It's mobile, just drop if off.  I did this once in the ignition, bent the key on the road and thought I was lucky in straightening it out.  The car started but part of the key stayed in the ignition, tight.  Tried dental tools and lube but the locksmith just went zip and it was out.  No charge.  Important thing is to make sure it is the original and worth the effort.

[hauser]

Here's one example of a serious top notch Tunis beige 280sl.

http://www.hatchandsons.com/pages/sales/JB105/

[Jordan]

Martin,

If you cannot sort out the lock and want to go the route of an original locking gas cap, drop Dave Gallon (look in sources) a line.  Provided you can show proof of ownership and you have the key code, he should be able to arrange to have a locking MB chrome gas cap made so it fits your door keys.  Just a word of caution that it is by no means cheap, but then again there isn't that much that is with these cars.  I had one made recently and it worked like a charm.  It was my Christmas present to myself.  Best of luck.
Marcus

[Ulf]

Got a new one which is exactly like the old one (except for the fact that it works), had to shorten the cork seal a little to make it fit, but otherwise its great - think I got it from SLS and it was reasonably priced.

Ulf

[stickandrudderman]

New ones are available direct from MB. Around £160 last time I bought one a few months ago.
Cutting locks to fit keys and vice versa is often a lot simpler than you might imagine!
If you want to send me yours I'd be happy to try and repair it for you.

[Shvegel]

Locksmiths can work wonders. I have a set of lock picks in my toolbox and one is just for removing broken keys. It's called a harpoon pick and it's gotten me out of that same situation more than once.