I've got a *lot* of old keys rattling around; I'll give that a try.  Thanks!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
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----- Original Message -----
From: <THX0001@aol.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>; <tomyoung1@COMCAST.NET>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:06 AM
Subject: Re: Remove gas cap without key?

>
> In a message dated 8/27/03 4:09:11 PM, tomyoung1@COMCAST.NET writes:
>
> << Is there any code on
>
> these things that a locksmith might use to make a new one, or some fairly
>
> non-destructive way to get it off? >>
>
> Tom,
>
> If your gas cap has a lot of miles under its belt, any key which fits the
> keyway will probably work.  I once mistakenly used a Volvo key to open an
old
> Vanagon gas cap.  It resisted somewhat but, not to the extent that I
thought the
> key was in jeopardy of breaking off.  Since it was winter, I at first
thought
> the lock was only frosted a bit.  After I realized what I had done, I
> disassembled the lock to see why the wrong key had worked.  I found the
wafers to be
> frozen in place with matching grooves worn into the tumbler bore.  So, it
> latched but never locked.
>
> George the Puzzled