MINI2

Aqualung · Apr 19th, 2004, 07:51 PM

a search on this specific topic didn't turn anything up...most threads deal w/ replacing the chrome "door", aka filler/gas cap.

I'm wondering if it's ok to cut the cable that holds the "plug", ya know the part you screw into the hole, without screwing up the locking system, etc. Right now, the only thing I can do with it is stick it into the holder on the door.

Why? I use the cap to hold the gas filler nozzle handle in a "squeeze" position so I can go and wash my windshields, etc. whilst it's filling up. Yes, the potential is there for the auto shutoff to not work, but in over 20 years, that's happened to me a total of 1 time, and that was when I was holding the filler nozzle itself.

mcglothh · Apr 19th, 2004, 08:26 PM

I think you would be just fine in disconnecting the gas cap from the tether.

Shouldn't be much of a problem. I think BMW/MINI were just wanting to reduce the likelihood of driving off without the cap and creating an emissions alarm on the dash.

- Mitch

scooterboy · Apr 19th, 2004, 08:47 PM

Note two things:

1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest.

2) When the pump shuts itself off, the cap may be jarred loose from the trigger and go flying to the ground, where it could pick up dirt or possibly break.

Aqualung · Apr 19th, 2004, 10:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by scooterboy

Note two things:

1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest.

2) When the pump shuts itself off, the cap may be jarred loose from the trigger and go flying to the ground, where it could pick up dirt or possibly break.

thanks...duly noted....

sorphin · Apr 20th, 2004, 03:10 PM

That must be why 99% of all gas pumps i've used, have the little thing to 'jam the trigger' as you call it, so you don't have to stand there and hold the trigger open eh?

Quote: Originally Posted by scooterboy

Note two things:

1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest.

scooterboy · Apr 20th, 2004, 03:20 PM

Don't know where you live but in the majority of the pumps I use in my area (New England), the built-in devices to hold the trigger open are disabled. There is also often a sign on the pump stating "do not lodge items in pump handle - do not leave pump unattended".

I have no idea if laws have actually been passed, but it's definitely discouraged in my area.

ruthie · Apr 20th, 2004, 03:24 PM

I cut mine over a year ago and it was fine. It kept getting stuck between the cap and the threads (or maybe the gas station attendants were hasty - maybe even a bit daft). I called the dealer and they said no problem to cut it.

djpk1978 · Apr 20th, 2004, 03:51 PM

I live in PA and I do believe there is a law against having the triggers with the hold-openers, but some station still have them if not I do the same as you and put the cap in the Handle. I thought even if it had a teather on the cap that you could still wedge it in there, at least on some cars the teather is long enough (I am days away from my MINI, just to explain).

Aqualung · Apr 20th, 2004, 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by djpk1978

I live in PA and I do believe there is a law against having the triggers with the hold-openers, but some station still have them if not I do the same as you and put the cap in the Handle. I thought even if it had a teather on the cap that you could still wedge it in there, at least on some cars the teather is long enough (I am days away from my MINI, just to explain).

on the MINI, it's not long enough, unfortunately....but sounds like it's simple to cut.....not sure about the law here in taxachusetts, but i do know there are some towns that prohibit self-serve.....

Windshadow · Apr 21st, 2004, 11:56 PM

I have seen litte plastic wedge shaped dohickies sold in truckstops for a buck or two that you use to get around the removed triger locks... struck me as amusing that they were selling gadgets to defeat their own 'safety modifications' to the pump nozzles... it looks like someone in RI has some sense though
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/scripts...1.asp?prid=286
it seems from that report that the use of an external wedge can defeat the autoshutoff on some designs of pump handles... as seen here
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/022..._gasspill.html

Aqualung · Apr 22nd, 2004, 02:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Windshadow

I have seen litte plastic wedge shaped dohickies sold in truckstops for a buck or two that you use to get around the removed triger locks... struck me as amusing that they were selling gadgets to defeat their own 'safety modifications' to the pump nozzles... it looks like someone in RI has some sense though
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/scripts...1.asp?prid=286
it seems from that report that the use of an external wedge can defeat the autoshutoff on some designs of pump handles... as seen here
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/022..._gasspill.html

yowzah, at least I turn off my engine

Paul · Apr 22nd, 2004, 09:17 AM

Abi's fell off, and it's fine.

Apr 19th, 2004, 07:51 PM	#1
Aqualung Sitting on a park bench.. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bahstun, MA Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 1,183 Offline	OK to cut the "cable" on gas "plug"? a search on this specific topic didn't turn anything up...most threads deal w/ replacing the chrome "door", aka filler/gas cap. I'm wondering if it's ok to cut the cable that holds the "plug", ya know the part you screw into the hole, without screwing up the locking system, etc. Right now, the only thing I can do with it is stick it into the holder on the door. Why? I use the cap to hold the gas filler nozzle handle in a "squeeze" position so I can go and wash my windshields, etc. whilst it's filling up. Yes, the potential is there for the auto shutoff to not work, but in over 20 years, that's happened to me a total of 1 time, and that was when I was holding the filler nozzle itself.

Apr 19th, 2004, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
scooterboy MINI2 Master Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NH Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 792 Offline	Note two things: 1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest. 2) When the pump shuts itself off, the cap may be jarred loose from the trigger and go flying to the ground, where it could pick up dirt or possibly break. My MINI Mods

Apr 20th, 2004, 03:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
scooterboy MINI2 Master Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NH Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 792 Offline	Don't know where you live but in the majority of the pumps I use in my area (New England), the built-in devices to hold the trigger open are disabled. There is also often a sign on the pump stating "do not lodge items in pump handle - do not leave pump unattended". I have no idea if laws have actually been passed, but it's definitely discouraged in my area. My MINI Mods

Apr 20th, 2004, 03:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
ruthie tickle tickle Join Date: Feb 2003 Local Time: 06:38 PM Posts: 19,063 Offline	I cut mine over a year ago and it was fine. It kept getting stuck between the cap and the threads (or maybe the gas station attendants were hasty - maybe even a bit daft). I called the dealer and they said no problem to cut it. "Sunshine and Peace." - Maxamini

Apr 20th, 2004, 03:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
djpk1978 DjK Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pittsburgh PA USA Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 70 Offline	I live in PA and I do believe there is a law against having the triggers with the hold-openers, but some station still have them if not I do the same as you and put the cap in the Handle. I thought even if it had a teather on the cap that you could still wedge it in there, at least on some cars the teather is long enough (I am days away from my MINI, just to explain). 2004 MINI Cooper, Red and White bonnet stripes, Cold Weather Package

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Apr 19th, 2004, 08:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
mcglothh MINI2 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Evanston, Illinois Local Time: 05:38 PM Posts: 49 Offline	I think you would be just fine in disconnecting the gas cap from the tether. Shouldn't be much of a problem. I think BMW/MINI were just wanting to reduce the likelihood of driving off without the cap and creating an emissions alarm on the dash. - Mitch

Apr 19th, 2004, 10:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aqualung Sitting on a park bench.. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bahstun, MA Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 1,183 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by scooterboy Note two things: 1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest. 2) When the pump shuts itself off, the cap may be jarred loose from the trigger and go flying to the ground, where it could pick up dirt or possibly break. thanks...duly noted....

Apr 20th, 2004, 03:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
sorphin MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 05:38 PM Posts: 73 Offline	That must be why 99% of all gas pumps i've used, have the little thing to 'jam the trigger' as you call it, so you don't have to stand there and hold the trigger open eh? Quote: Originally Posted by scooterboy Note two things: 1) It's prohibited in some places to jam the trigger open like you suggest.

Apr 20th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Aqualung Sitting on a park bench.. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bahstun, MA Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 1,183 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by djpk1978 I live in PA and I do believe there is a law against having the triggers with the hold-openers, but some station still have them if not I do the same as you and put the cap in the Handle. I thought even if it had a teather on the cap that you could still wedge it in there, at least on some cars the teather is long enough (I am days away from my MINI, just to explain). on the MINI, it's not long enough, unfortunately....but sounds like it's simple to cut.....not sure about the law here in taxachusetts, but i do know there are some towns that prohibit self-serve.....

Apr 21st, 2004, 11:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Windshadow MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Newcastle Maine Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 2,443 Offline	I have seen litte plastic wedge shaped dohickies sold in truckstops for a buck or two that you use to get around the removed triger locks... struck me as amusing that they were selling gadgets to defeat their own 'safety modifications' to the pump nozzles... it looks like someone in RI has some sense though http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/scripts...1.asp?prid=286 it seems from that report that the use of an external wedge can defeat the autoshutoff on some designs of pump handles... as seen here http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/022..._gasspill.html S BRG/W Randolph 3 PAC NAV Mid Coast Maine, U.S.A.

Apr 22nd, 2004, 02:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Aqualung Sitting on a park bench.. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bahstun, MA Local Time: 07:38 PM Posts: 1,183 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Windshadow I have seen litte plastic wedge shaped dohickies sold in truckstops for a buck or two that you use to get around the removed triger locks... struck me as amusing that they were selling gadgets to defeat their own 'safety modifications' to the pump nozzles... it looks like someone in RI has some sense though http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/scripts...1.asp?prid=286 it seems from that report that the use of an external wedge can defeat the autoshutoff on some designs of pump handles... as seen here http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/022..._gasspill.html yowzah, at least I turn off my engine

Apr 22nd, 2004, 09:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 11:38 PM Posts: 40,356 Offline	Abi's fell off, and it's fine. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

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