Day 3085 Frozen flap.

25th January 2026

Kelli had arranged to collect a free dresser in Jenison, a thirty minute trip, for around two thirty.

We needed petrol, so we headed off to fill the tank, the fuel is under 2.60 at the moment.

Arriving at the pump, I got out ready to dispense the petrol, Kelli’s job was to release the fuel filler flap, whilst continue to bask in the heat of the vehicle. Well the flap did not open, something had frozen the mechanism. Panic ensued as I tried different ways to release the flap.

There was no way we could continue on our journey with what was left in the tank, so, the only option was to return home then try to release it with some heat.

Now at this stage, Kelli suggested that we drive to an auto shop and see if they had any suggestions, but I, as a man insisted that my idea was the best, so that is what we did.

Now the onus was on me to find a way to find a cure.

I looked on YouTube, nothing of use there. I had some switch cleaner, which I sprayed liberally, but it didn’t cure anything.

Then I looked at the release lever in more detail, the carpet around had frozen solid, no doubt from all the wet snow, so it was that, in my opinion, the problem area. My solution was to pour a little warm water around the lever.

Lo and behold it worked, before it turned back to ice, the fuel flap opened. There was no way I was going to latch it again, now we could restart our collection.

However, because we didn’t want to leave Winnie too long, I volunteered to go alone, but I would need help at that end to load it.

Kelli sent a message, but got a curt response, therefore we decided to forgo the trip altogether.

If people can’t be civil, we don’t need it that badly.