Paint chip while fueling. Bad design?

Today while refueling I noticed a few scrapes and paint chips where the fuel handle rests on the front fender. Has anyone else noticed this? It seems like it could be a problem with all Carrera, Boxster and Cayman models. It would be nice if there were a fold out rubber flap to protect the body from the fueling handle. My neighbor's Vipers have this feature as I am sure do other cars. I guess I'll start carrying a rag to use during refueling to prevent any further damage. -James <input type="image" height="599" width="640" src="/UserFiles/PaintChip.JPG" />

I've been extra careful.Some of myold 911's had flaps like you describe. I've seen aftermarket ones advertised for Boxsters that probably fit. It might have been in the www.automotion.com catalog?

Check out the fuel filler flap at Griots: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_2500&L2=L2_2520&SKU=45533 ==RedEye Edited by - RedEye on 03/12/2006 6:14:14 PM

Althought I've only filled up twice, I read about the whole 'pump shuts off early fairly easily', so I've just been holding it manually those two times. Good thing to take note of, I'll have to look the next time I fill up. Better to catch something like that BEFORE I see paint chips gone. Sorry you had to go through it, I feel the pain!

<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I picked-up the fuel filler flap [/quote]that RedEye just posted above. I must say it is a perfect fit while being a great stress relief. But you’ll still need to be careful.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">zornet /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/dance.gif</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div>

Not a problem in the UK. Our pump handles don't have the locks that yours do, so you HAVE to hold the handle at all times. Never any scratched here. Why don't you just hold the pump handle for the 60 seconds it takes to fill up? That way there is no way of getting any scratches. Jack

Jack, I think I will do that from now on. I have ordered one of the rubber flaps as well. Fortunately the marks are not visible unless the fuel door is open. -James

James - Well at least the marks can't be seen with the flap shut. The chipa aren't through to the metal-work are they? They look deep. Iss it worth geting them touched up for some added protection against corrosion? Jack

Jack, The two black marks to the left in the photo came off with a dab of cleaner wax. I'll visit my dealer for some AS touchup paint to address the chips. It does not appear that the body primer has been breached. -James

In Canada ( at least in Ontario ) we have to hold the fuel nozzle during pumping - the sad thing is that many of our pumps are very slow, so the full fill up can take well over a minute - not an issue during the Summer, but try it with a wind chill of -30 deg C /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/cry_smile.gif

I checked this today when I filled up and try as I might I could not make the gas nozzle touch the paint so I suspect my state has different gas nozzles from your state which is a shame. There is an aftermarket fold-out rubber piece you can get, I had one on my old 2000 Boxster S, but I can't recall who makes/sells them anymore.

Commercial piece posted above - or could probably make one from a piece of plastic trim from commercial flooring, etc. ==RedEye

In NJ, the way I understand it, you can't pump your own gas. So you can have somebody that doesn't care pumping your fuel.

Same goes for Oregon for those of you thinking of doing the Portland parade. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/drive.gif

I purchased the 'fuel flap' from Girots...it maybe overkill and certainly a bit of care is all that's needed, but I got it anyway. As an additional value, any extraneous dips get caught <input type="image" height="600" width="800" src="/UserFiles/2006_03_Cayman_Fuel_0001.JPG" /> <input type="image" height="600" width="800" src="/UserFiles/2006_03_Cayman_Fuel_0002.JPG" />

Are you guys kidding? Hold the handle for the 15 gallons of fuel.

I refueled yesterday and the nozzle was never anywhere near the painted area. Are you folks paying any attention to what you are doing? Or is an attendent fueling your ride???

I agree. That handle will never get close to my paint. Some guys must have alot of money.

All pumps are not the same guys.

That's right, all pump handles are not the same. The pump handle I was using when I noticed the chips had an integral square plastic block on the bottom and was obviously designed to rest against the body work and would do so properly if the fuel door was rectangular in shape. That is not the case with any of the sporting Porsches. I was fueling at a QT. I'll be more careful in the future and just wanted to point out the problem so others may avoid the issue. -James