Replacing Volvo Fuel Cap Retaining Strap: A Step-By-Step Guide

If the retaining strap on your Volvo's fuel cap has broken, you can replace it yourself. The first step is to remove the old strap. This can be done by cutting it off, prying it off with a screwdriver, or clipping the plastic with wire cutters or garden shears. Once the old strap is off, you can snap the new one into place. You can find replacement straps online from vendors such as FCP Euro, Amazon, and Skandix.

Cutting off the old strap

To cut off the old strap, you will need to remove the fuel cap and place it on a table or flat surface. You can then use a small flat-head screwdriver to pry the existing ring off the cap. Work your way around the ring, gently levering it off from the top side of the fuel cap, starting at the thinner end of the ring.

Alternatively, you can use a knife or wire cutters to cut the old strap. Be cautious not to damage the actual fuel cap. You can also use a Dremel tool or needle-nose pliers to break off the existing strap. Once the old strap is removed, you can install the new one.

For the next step, you will need a small Torx or Phillips-head screwdriver with a maximum diameter of 2mm. Use this to push the plastic pins that attach the strap to the cap slightly forward from the bottom side. If the pins have come loose, you can press them through from the inside using a 2mm drill. Push them through until they are just inside the top of the fastener. Once both pins are pressed through, you can remove the old strap.

Now, you can attach the new catch strap to the fuel cap. If the pins have been pushed through too far and have fallen out, you can use telephone pliers or tweezers to reattach them.

Measuring the collar/ring size

To replace a Volvo fuel cap retaining strap, you'll first need to cut the old one off. Then, you can measure the collar/ring size of the current damaged cap to ensure you get the correct size for the replacement.

Measuring the Collar Size

To measure the collar size, you will need to use a soft fabric measuring tape, ribbon, or string. Place the measuring tool just below your Adam's apple, at the height where the collar would normally rest. Ensure that the tape is level and resting lightly on the skin, with some room for comfort. Take the measurement, and use this to select the corresponding collar size.

Measuring the Ring Size

There are a few different methods you can use to measure ring size:

• String or floss: Take a length of string or floss and wrap it around the base of your finger. Mark where the string first overlaps with a pen, then stretch the string out along a ruler or measuring tape to get the length in millimetres. This length is the circumference of your finger. To find the diameter, divide the circumference by pi (you can use 3.14 as an estimate). You can then use a ring size chart to find the corresponding ring size.
• Ring size chart: Find a ring that fits you well, and print out a true-to-size ring size chart. Place your ring on the circles until you find the one that matches the inside circumference of your ring.
• Ring-sizing tool: The most accurate way to measure ring size is by using a ring-measurement tool, which can be purchased online. There are two types of ring-sizing tools: a thin measuring tape that can be looped around your finger, and a keyring lined with a gradient of ring sizes.

It is important to consider your knuckle when measuring ring size. If you have a larger knuckle, you may need to order a size up. Additionally, ring size can fluctuate depending on temperature, so it is recommended to measure your finger at different times of the day or in different temperatures.

Removing the old ring with a screwdriver

Take a small Torx or Phillips screwdriver (max. 2mm diameter) and use it to gently pry the plastic pins forward from the bottom side. If the pins are loose, you can use a 2mm drill to press them through from the inside on a table edge or similar surface. Push the pins through until they are just inside the top of the fastener. Once both pins are pushed through, the old catch strap can be removed.

If you are having trouble removing the old ring with a screwdriver, you can try cutting the old strap off with wire cutters or garden shears. Alternatively, you can wedge a small flat screwdriver between the cap and the ring and pry it out that way.

Pushing pins through with a drill

To replace the fuel cap retaining strap on a Volvo, you'll need to remove the old one first. Start by unhooking the catch strap from the fuel door and removing the tank cap, along with the catch strap. You will then be able to see the two plastic pins that fasten the strap to the cap.

Now, for the part about pushing pins through with a drill:

First, use a small Torx or Phillips screwdriver (max. 2mm diameter) to push the pins slightly forward from the bottom side. This will help loosen them and make it easier to push them through. Next, take your 2mm drill and place the tank cap on a flat surface, such as a table edge, with the inside of the cap facing down. Gently press the pins through from the inside using the drill. Push them through until they are just inside the top of the fastener. Be careful not to push them all the way through, as they may fall out and become lost. If this happens, you can use telephone pliers or tweezers to reattach them.

Once both pins are pressed through, the old catch strap can be removed, and you can insert the new one. Make sure the pins are secure before attaching the new catch strap. Now, your new fuel cap retaining strap is ready to be hooked back onto the tank cap!

Replacing with a generic rubber leash

To replace a Volvo fuel cap retaining strap with a generic rubber leash, you will first need to remove the old strap. This can be done by cutting the old strap off and prying out the ring that goes around the fuel cap with a small flat screwdriver. Once the old strap is removed, you can measure the collar/ring size of the fuel cap to ensure you purchase the correctly sized generic rubber leash.

When purchasing a generic rubber leash, ensure that you select one that is compatible with your specific Volvo model. You can find these products at automotive stores such as Pep Boys, or online through retailers like eBay and Amazon.

Once you have the new generic rubber leash, installation is simple and can be done in a few minutes. The new leash should come with a circular plastic ring that snaps into place over the fuel cap. Grip the plastic ring with pliers and locate it onto the fuel cap, pushing the pegs through from the underside.

It is important to note that fuel tank filler pipe diameters vary across different Volvo models and markets, so be cautious when purchasing a generic rubber leash to ensure it is the correct size for your vehicle.

Frequently asked questions