if you screw it too loose, if will throw a code if you screw it too tight, you won't be able to unscrew it by hand, so I bought a tool and put it into the frunk, just in case. It embarrassed me 2 times already in gas stations. Image Unavailable, Please Login
What in the world? Never had a problem, but then with my tune I coded it out anyways now just incase. Maybe just do that. That tool will ruin the metal cap.
Cool looking tool, and you're right about throwing a code if the cap is too loose. I've never had trouble getting mine off, but admittedly it does take some torque. My wife can't undo the cap. If you were to put some kind of protective surface on the "prongs" it wouldn't damage the cap.
A problem for a lot of "new-er" cars. Loose caps throw CELs. My old Z-28 use to do it too. First time I had it happen... I thought he we go...
I cut a 6" diameter silicon tray mat and use it to get a better grip on the cap. Works like a charm. Image Unavailable, Please Login
It should be hand-tight. My experience with difficult gas cap removal on some cars has to do with a faulty evap emission system. Probably a vent or purge valve is defective, allowing vacuum to build up in the gas tank, making it difficult to unscrew the gas cap. In extreme cases, the gas tank would totally collapse.
If you have to man-handle the gas cap in order to prevent a CEL, there's something seriously wrong with the evap system.
What if you put a light coating of O-ring lubricant on the face of the gasket? It might have such an old dirty surface that if it’s too loose, it’s not sealing properly, and if you get it tight enough, it’s creating that overly aggressive tension? Just a thought. I’ve never had a problem with mine throwing a light or being too tight, but I have had the rubber insert itself lose its adhesion and fall off, which I’ve just glued back into place.
The car will throw a CEL and scanning will bring up a P0xxx code. If you scan for emission readiness, it'll flunk the EVAP test. It's not too hard to replace the valve or troubleshoot. The amount of time to troubleshoot would be better spent in just replacing the valves, in my opinion.
It doesn't hurt to do that. My 2003 Spider threw a CEL once when I took delivery of it. It was my fault. I overfilled the tank.
I solved the gas cap opening issue with another kind of solution. Lots and lots of grip work over the years.
The evap system is fine. I was filling gas at a station that has a sensitive pump. It kept on tripping so I just continued to fill and then it overflowed. After about a 5-mile drive, the CEL is on. The excess gas saturated the charcoal canister and triggered the evap test failure.
OP did you try to replace the gasket? Mine has fallen off a few times over the years. I usually tighten until I get a squeak noise from the rubber.
I know this post is 4 1/2 years old but hoping you may reply anyway. The rubber gasket also separated from my gas cap and falls off every time I refuel. Can you tell me how you glued it back in place, what products did you use, and was the fix permanent? I have never had any issues with a loose or over tight gas cap throwing a light either. Just the gasket coming off. Thanks.
Not sure how you will find it or the search terms but 10 years or so ago I found a thread here that told me exactly what product to use and I used it and it has worked for 10 years but my seal is loose again...
I also forget which product I used, but nothing special. Just whatever random adhesive I could find around the house. I always have 2-3 different super glues on hand. But it was definitely nothing special, and nothing I special ordered. It’s held ever since, and I figure it it ever comes loose again, I’ll just glue it again. No big deal.
