*just a warning to those in the wintery states*

we had a few days of rain, followed by single digit temps.

i went to fill up this morning, and i could not get the cas cap off. i broke the ice seal around the cap, but the plastic ring that attaches to the rubber was frozen to the cap. it was on there pretty good.

i fiddled with it for about 5 min, blowing on to it etc. the people at the busy gas station thought i was nuts... i was just about to concede defeat and cut the rubber harness, and it broke free. when i get home tonight, i am going to spray some silicone or wd40 around that ring.

If it happens again, i am cutting it off.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with that, Rodney. Good to know. I'll probably wipe it all down with some WD40 on a paper towel.

 

yeah, it was frustrating when it was cold out. my hands were starting to hurt from trying to twist it one way while holding the ring. you can see they were red from fiddling with the cap.

 

Hmm, mine did that, it was moisture from rain or washing the car (I don't remember now) that froze up.
I managed to unscrew the cap with it still frozen by letting the "leash" twist up.
When I screwed the cap back on after filling up the leash released.

 

Thanks for the heads-up!! WD-40 should keep the moisture from forming but may have to re-apply if temps thaw-freeze-thaw-freeze.

 

A silicone spray lube will work better and last longer than the WD-40.

 

Thanks, George. I've got some of that too.

 

Are your cars garaged overnight? I keep mine in garage when car is home. I will use some silicone as you suggested to be safe. Thanks for the alert!!
You guys are in the NE and I am STL MO. Bill#22335

 

nope, my babies are asleep in the small garage (motorcycles and s2000). the fit has to rough it in the cold.

 

Thanks for the reply. The FIT is my baby!

 

Thanks GeorgeL ... I will try the silicone as well, although WD-40 worked pretty impressively fishing 50 miles due East of Nantucket in the dead of winter!

My Fit is garaged when I'm home but spends many overnights exposed to whatever the current conditions are. I will try silicon around my door seals as well. Pretty agravating when the doors get frozen shut!

 

Hope you guys never went through this:

 

My old Maverick did that...except it was with the doors. and I was stuck inside. Had to pull into a heated garage to let it thaw till I was able to open it. (you might want to call Honda about that...possible defective design)

 

I've seen this before, but I *love* it! In fact I was just getting ready to repost it to my FB page

 

Wish I had a garage. I may invest into one of those temporary garages just for the winter. Keep the snow off it at least

 

A hair drier would work to melt it without burning the paint.

Also look at the back side of arm that the plastic strap is mounted to. I assume that you can get to it on a Honda. I had one freeze like that on a GM car. All I had to do was disconnect the plastic cable / strap from the arm and I could spin it off. A good soaking with spray silicon will keep it from freezing in the future.

 

Those things are awesome. I had one years ago and loved it, sturdy enough to handle several feet of snow and hurricane force winds!. Don't remember the manufacturer but would definitely invest in one again!

 

Me too!


If at the very least one for the 5x8 utility trailer I'm planning to buy for the back yard. They do have double bay temporary garages. Fairly reasonable cost too. Only detractor is the more durable canopies for them cost more. standard ones will need replacing in about 5-6 years.

 

Is this the same type of silicone that should be used around door seals to prevent them from freezing shut?

 

This may seem silly but maybe put a towel in fuel inlet area and close it. Maybe wool instead of cotton. Any other thoughts on this? Bill22335