Gas tank lock

[Under Dog]

The previous owner lost the key to the gas tank and instead of getting a new key, he buggered it all up by using a screwdriver to open it. Now, even if I get a key made, I'm not so sure it will work. Is there an easy way to pop the cylinder out of the lid and remove the pins so that any key will work?

 

[Under Dog]

Got it!!!

For anyone else, all I did was unscrew the lock from the backside of the hinged tank lid. With it loose, you will see a brass "tang" on the backside of the lock cylinder. Use a small screwdriver or pick to depress that tang down towards the center of the cylinder. The whole thing then just pops right out.

Once I get inside there I could see the pins were all buggered and bent. I used a pliers to pull them and their springs out (just don't pull out the bottom most one - that's the one that holds it inside the lock mechanism). Then I reassembled.

Works great now, even though it means any key will open it...