Petrol cap wont screw down properly

[jonewer]

Bit of a strange one this, but I have an Einhell rotavator and the petrol cap wont screw down properly. Its always at a bit of an angle no matter how I try which means petrol leaks out over the allotment. Not ideal.

Any ideas on how to fix this thing?

 

[kbdiy]

Obviously cross-threaded. You need to hold the cap firmly aand screw down slowly keeping it as straight as possible. If you force it on then you will likely as not damage the thread, then there's not much you can do to fix it. Can be a common problem on plastic parts.

 

[jonewer]

Thanks, at least I know the problem has a name!

I reckon its had it though. Will have to check my warranty.

 

[phatboy]

Try positioning the cap, and reverse-turning it once, then forward. This helps stop cross threading

 

[longdogs]

If you can see the cross -threading, sometimes you can file it straight with a small nail file or something similar so that the cap will then screw on correctly. I've done this a few times with toilet fill valve threads. It doesn't always work but it's worth a try.

 

[mattylad]

warranty wont cover it.