Anyone know what size compression spring is used for the fuel cap latch? I was putting on a new gasket set when I accidentally launched the spring somewhere in my shop, and it seems to have launched into another dimension.

I bought an assorted compression and expansion spring kit from one of our local Saturday Sunday markets cost about $10.00 Au ea. It comes in handy for the replacement of self launching springs. Automotive supply shops and bearing supply shops also carry them although dearer. Over the years I have added to my assortment kits of washers, bolts, Nyloc nuts, fuses, rivets, "O" rings and various other kits. You only have to use a few things for it to become worthwhile. Aldi puts out kits at various times and you can get them from Ebay.
Regards Martin.

Ordered a new spring. kit $30...arrgh.
Friend came over with serious magnet after and found it, of course:)

One of the takes from this fine crowd, is to put small springy parts in a closed bag when disassembling.
Got it.  Thanks! 

Hope you find it.

Regards,
Jimk

Martin's right on.

My local Ace Hardware has those racks with boxes of screws, nuts, bolts and other odd parts.  Among them is a box with a number of various springs, one of which can usually be made to work.

It's a good idea whenever a pen, lighter or anything with a spring in it ceases to function strip it of it's springs. You can buy the multi compartment storage boxes from the cheap stores to store them in. It's also worthwhile stripping old electronic items and appliances of those tiny screws that make a run for it. I counted my kits some of which are double ups and with the ones not shown, two large kits of imperial and metric "O" rings and a kit of electrical connectors I'm up to thirty. I've found if you go to the local hardware shop for any of the parts in the kits the price of a couple their little packs of three to six bits exceeds the price of the whole kit. The cheapest kits come in at $6.00 Au and the dearest I've bought was $12.00 Au.
Regards Martin.

a magnet off a speaker tied to a piece of coat hanger wire can be your friend in finding small magnetic parts that the eye cant see .
hope you find it

Try that in my garage and you'll suck up the whole floor.

Dai wrote:Try that in my garage and you'll suck up the whole floor.

Same here!  I suspect i could possibly build a working motor vehicle with the parts hidden in my garage's nooks and crannies.