Gas Cap Rattling from Bass

inline6ix · 01-29-2013, 10:42 PM

So I've searched, read alot about people with a similar problem, and found no solutions yet. I've got a single 12" subwoofer in my trunk that sounds great and has a wonderful bass response. That said, it rattles the living crap out of my gas cap, to the point where I can hear the rattling from inside the car with the windows closed. My trunk itself doesn't rattle. My license plate doesn't even rattle, amazingly. It's all the fuel door going completely freakin' insane. I rest my finger on the door, and the rattles go away and the car sounds perfect.

I've tried facing the sub directly towards the cabin (no folding seats or ski pass), and it doesn't help. Due to the wires and the fact that it's night, I haven't experimented with more placements of the sub yet. So with all that, anyone found a solution yet? I'm seriously, genuinely considering adding velcro pads next to the spring loaded latch to hold it.

inline6ix · 03-29-2013, 12:16 PM

Just thought I would give this a good old bump, considering that I still have some troubles with that damn gas cap. I have a normal, cheapo, non ported box if it helps, and it's a bit tall to the point where its just about touching that metal bar in the top of the trunk. That might be the cause of my problems.

kaigoss69 · 03-29-2013, 12:52 PM

That's a common problem. Be glad that it's only the gas gap vibrating. It has nothing to do with the box touching the stabilizer bar. This car is well-built, with lots of reinforcement, but there is always a "weak" spot. You can go around the car and touch the panels, the spot that vibrates the most is normally near the top of the fenders, in the area of the gas cap.

I don't think there is much you can do, short of getting rid of the spring closing mechanism and using velcro to hold the cap closed...

BMVeh · 03-29-2013, 12:57 PM

trust me...be happy its that....because of my sub...my gas cap wont close now...i gotta figure out why, seems like its a common problem..

kaigoss69 · 03-29-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMVeh

trust me...be happy its that....because of my sub...my gas cap wont close now...i gotta figure out why, seems like its a common problem..

You need to replace the spring closing mechanism. It's less than 15 on eBay and takes a minute to install.

BMVeh · 03-29-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

You need to replace the spring closing mechanism. It's less than 15 on eBay and takes a minute to install.

you sir are my hero...ill search around

glachhman · 08-04-2013, 01:38 PM

I clipped the end off the broken one and put it back. Only bdrawback is you have to slip your finger under the edge to open the lid now. Debating if I should buy a new one since it will probably just break again.

BMVeh · 08-12-2013, 12:33 AM

i actually went to the dealer...its only a 8 dollar part and a 30 sec install lol...just change it and make it easier on ur self

tony20009 · 08-12-2013, 12:48 AM

Lower the volume.

Ali-E90 · 08-12-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony20009

Lower the volume.

who invited killjoy to the party?
lol

anyone tried other alternatives for the gas cap rattle?

bmw325i · 08-12-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali-323i

who invited killjoy to the party?
lol

anyone tried other alternatives for the gas cap rattle?

Face your subs towards the front and seal off the trunk. No more rattles at all.

I've had this setup for a few months already and I finally got around to building the front baffle. I still need to roundover the port holes and upholster it. The front baffle is held in by neodymium magnets. The box is just a 36x14x16 (WxHxD) prefabbed box and its a tight fit in there on its own. The subs are 2 Alpine SWR 12D4's powered by an Audioque 2200d.

Ali-E90 · 08-12-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Face your subs towards the front and seal off the trunk. No more rattles at all.

I've had this setup for a few months already and I finally got around to building the front baffle. I still need to roundover the port holes and upholster it. The front baffle is held in by neodymium magnets. The box is just a 36x14x16 (WxHxD) prefabbed box and its a tight fit in there on its own. The subs are 2 Alpine SWR 12D4's powered by an Audioque 2200d.

I don't have folding seats or a ski pass in my E90. Currently just using a standard ported box (woofer facing upwards, port towards the back of car), but will be getting a custom enclosure built in the spare wheel area soon.

bigtigga01 · 08-13-2013, 03:59 PM

That spring mechanism will always break under excessive bass. I opened one up and there is a clip that is thinner than a paper clip that locks it in place. I took the spring mechanism out and place the rubber boot back in place to absurb the door vibrating.

Ali-E90 · 08-13-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtigga01

That spring mechanism will always break under excessive bass. I opened one up and there is a clip that is thinner than a paper clip that locks it in place. I took the spring mechanism out and place the rubber boot back in place to absurb the door vibrating.

Doing this stops the rattling? Is it still easy to open/close the lid when you need to fill up?

Is there already a DIY for this? Sounds interesting.

01-29-2013, 10:42 PM	#1
inline6ix Private First Class 3 Rep 160 Posts Drives: Deep Green E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Range Rover 4. ... [0.00] 1997 BMW 528i [0.00]	Gas Cap Rattling from Bass So I've searched, read alot about people with a similar problem, and found no solutions yet. I've got a single 12" subwoofer in my trunk that sounds great and has a wonderful bass response. That said, it rattles the living crap out of my gas cap, to the point where I can hear the rattling from inside the car with the windows closed. My trunk itself doesn't rattle. My license plate doesn't even rattle, amazingly. It's all the fuel door going completely freakin' insane. I rest my finger on the door, and the rattles go away and the car sounds perfect. I've tried facing the sub directly towards the cabin (no folding seats or ski pass), and it doesn't help. Due to the wires and the fact that it's night, I haven't experimented with more placements of the sub yet. So with all that, anyone found a solution yet? I'm seriously, genuinely considering adding velcro pads next to the spring loaded latch to hold it. __________________ 18" Staggered Style 189 - BMS 15mm - CF Grilles - LCI Headlights - BMW Performance CF Intake - 12" Blaupunkt Subwoofer
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03-29-2013, 12:16 PM	#2
inline6ix Private First Class 3 Rep 160 Posts Drives: Deep Green E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Range Rover 4. ... [0.00] 1997 BMW 528i [0.00]	Just thought I would give this a good old bump, considering that I still have some troubles with that damn gas cap. I have a normal, cheapo, non ported box if it helps, and it's a bit tall to the point where its just about touching that metal bar in the top of the trunk. That might be the cause of my problems. __________________ 18" Staggered Style 189 - BMS 15mm - CF Grilles - LCI Headlights - BMW Performance CF Intake - 12" Blaupunkt Subwoofer
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03-29-2013, 12:52 PM	#3
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 301 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	That's a common problem. Be glad that it's only the gas gap vibrating. It has nothing to do with the box touching the stabilizer bar. This car is well-built, with lots of reinforcement, but there is always a "weak" spot. You can go around the car and touch the panels, the spot that vibrates the most is normally near the top of the fenders, in the area of the gas cap. I don't think there is much you can do, short of getting rid of the spring closing mechanism and using velcro to hold the cap closed... __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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03-29-2013, 12:57 PM	#4
BMVeh First Lieutenant 31 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (4)	trust me...be happy its that....because of my sub...my gas cap wont close now...i gotta figure out why, seems like its a common problem.. __________________ 06 330i SGM
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08-04-2013, 01:38 PM	#7
glachhman Banned 44 Rep 692 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	I clipped the end off the broken one and put it back. Only bdrawback is you have to slip your finger under the edge to open the lid now. Debating if I should buy a new one since it will probably just break again.
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08-12-2013, 12:33 AM	#8
BMVeh First Lieutenant 31 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (4)	i actually went to the dealer...its only a 8 dollar part and a 30 sec install lol...just change it and make it easier on ur self __________________ 06 330i SGM
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08-12-2013, 12:48 AM	#9
tony20009 Major General 1073 Rep 5,660 Posts Drives: BMW 335i - Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Lower the volume. __________________ Cheers, Tony ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ '07, e92 335i, *Sparkling Graphite, Coral Leather, Aluminum, 6-speed*
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08-13-2013, 03:59 PM	#13
bigtigga01 Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 230 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Summerville, SC iTrader: (6) Garage List 1988 BMW 325is [0.00] 2011 BMW 550i [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	That spring mechanism will always break under excessive bass. I opened one up and there is a clip that is thinner than a paper clip that locks it in place. I took the spring mechanism out and place the rubber boot back in place to absurb the door vibrating.
	Appreciate 0 Quote