Removing fuel filler neck "skirt"

[optimist]

I've got a tiny dent just above my fuel filler door and I think if I can get this "skirt" off it would make PDR fairly easy (for someone who knows what they're doing anyway). At minimum I see 4 screws and the latch holding the skirt in place, but not sure if that's all. If I go to the trouble of getting behind the inner fender and "disconnecting" the latch, is it going to just come out or is there more? TIA.

 

[Old Guy]

I don't think you can completely remove that skirt without dropping the fuel tank. As you note, it is secured by 4 screws. After you remove the 4 screws you might have enough flex in the skirt to get the PDR tool in there. If not, it might be possible to push the skirt back far enough to give you access. However, as I recall, the latch is secured to the body so if you need to remove the latch to push the skirt back you need to remove the fender liner so it might be best to just go to method 2. The other consideration is that there is a fitting on the filler tube that is part of the evap system. Depending on how far back that fitting is you may be able to push the skirt back a little bit or not at all. If you do push the skirt back, have a plan for how you get it back into place.


Method 2
If the filler skirt option does not pan out, the other way to get at it may be to remove the rear wheel liner and the air duct assembly. You would not need to mess with the side scoop - stop at step 3 in the picture.

 

[optimist]

Thanks, I'll look at taking the inner fender out and see what it looks like up there. Unfortunately the skirt is hard plastic not very flexible...I could probably drill a 1/2" hole in it but idk...I don't think I want to do that.

 

[Honcho]

You can get the skirt out via the 4 screws, but you must detach the filler door cable first. It is a twist and then pull- if you try to just pull it out, you'll break the plastic tabs and have to order (and run) an entire new cable through the engine firewall. Ask me how I know.

 

[optimist]

You can get the skirt out via the 4 screws, but you must detach the filler door cable first. It is a twist and then pull- if you try to just pull it out, you'll break the plastic tabs and have to order (and run) an entire new cable through the engine firewall. Ask me how I know.

HA! I was afraid of that! It looks like going behind the inner fender is perfect. Somehow both of the plastic rivets were fubar so all I had to do is push the inner fender open and I can reach all the way to where the ding is with basically my whole hand.