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

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.

[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

[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

[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...inge&_osacat=0

Pelicanparts clip $2.25 and the hinge $8.50 (But not OEM)
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...FILTER_TOOL=ON
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...ILTER_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.