broken key

[marcusruok]

the key in my petrol cap has snapped ive taken it to a locksmith but he carnt get it out,he said he had tweezers on it and it kept slipping back because it was to far down,anyone in the portsmouth area up for a challenge,show me how good you are with the broken key extractor,i am a member of 101 but only just started and still awaiting my own tools to come,i carnt wait that long my only means off transport is off the road can anyone help

[digital_blue]

a) It sounds to me that you have the cap off right now (since you said you've taken it to a locksmith, not called one out). That being said, would it not be cheaper to just replace the cap rather than pay a locksmith?

b) Assuming that it is not cheaper, or I am wrong about the cap being off, I would seriously say that you need to not call that locksmith ever again. I have some major reservations about a locksmith that can't get a broken key out and doesn't offer any other solutions.

c) you could make a broken key extractor. Have a search on this site if you're not sure about what they look like. Basically, you want a sharp and small hook. Maybe a long sewing needle heated and bent to a very small hook. Also, if you have barbed fishing hooks, you could straighten one of those out. Just some thoughts. Insert your own creativity here.

db

[rayman452]

I think what he means is that the key is snapped inside the gas cap. My advice is to go see another locksmith, or since hte key may be slightly greasy, get tweasers like he did, but instead rap paper towl around the ends very slightly, and try it. If it comes out greasy, you will have to repeate the process untill there is no grease, then you can just pull it out. Or you could try the super glue technique.

[freakyclown]

Dont mean to step on any toes but my personal advice would be not to try the superglue method...might just be my bad luck but ive never had any broken key come out using this method

Make a broken key extractor like the above posts suggest or find a decent locksmith.

[digital_blue]

Don't try the super glue techniqe. Don't put glue in your locks. Really.

db

[master in training]

you could put in the rest of the key and use it to turn the lock to get the cap off, then replace it.

or make a small hole in the petrol cap to siphon petrol into the car through a thin pipe, although i dont know if having a hole in a petrol cap is a very bad thing to have

or call yourself a decent locksmith...

[toomush2drink]

Ok so i asume the cap is off the car if you took it to a locksmith ? Why not take off the locking mechanism if possible and try pushing the piece of key out ? A key extractor should work though with a good dose of patience. The fishing hook probably has more chance as they are slightly thinner, your near the coast so get a pack of fine wire1/0 hooks or similar.

[Peaky]

You havent said what car it is,

On most caps you can push the key out from the back,

Tell us the car model and make and a more qualified suggestion can be made.

[marcusruok]

nice one digi blue you ring true, its out of the motorbike cap,found a LOCKSMITH today got it out straiaght away useing your broken key extractor method,i couldnt get another cap it would of cost loads the caps off a t595 triumph daytona,and there is no way i would of touched the lock with super glue im a trades man and know better,anyway thanx to all for your reply

[marcusruok]

just to let you know i got talking to him he was cool only charged me six quid with a new key cut

[locksmistress]

I agree - you should call a different locksmith. If there is one thing a customer will have on hand and try to use to get a key out, it's tweezers. I haven't ever gotten that to work on someone elses lock! And there are at least a half a dozen other options to try before you give up!

So I think you should call another locksmith - petrol cap, important, can't drill it because of the petrol - course, it's empty by now... But here's a practical suggestion anyhow.

poor man's broken key extractor -> coping saw blade

This is assuming that your petrol tank key resembles my gas tank key: simple thing - single sided wafer lock?

Depending on how much room you have to maneuver - verrrry careful - you don't want to get the saw blade stuck and compound the issue. File a bit off the nose for ease of use. See if you can fit it in the groove of the key if there's room in the lock (on the side of the key, not on the teeth) - slide the blade in about half an inch into the lock along the ward, give it a bit of pressure into the key and see if it grips. Careful on the torque - you could be calling a locksmith to extract a key and a broken key extractor if you use to much pressure.

Good luck.