Gas Cap

[Seraph87]

So I'm sure everybody's aware that if you don't tighten the gas cap enough, the check engine light will come on. This first happened to me about 2 weeks ago, took it to my mechanic and he cleared it for me. Thought it was just because I was stupid after filling up the last time. It just happened again, and I haven't filled up in a week, so I'm thinking that somehow the gas cap is coming loose on its own. Does anybody have any experience with this problem? Any tips on maybe locking it down or something?

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by Seraph87

.......so I'm thinking that somehow the gas cap is coming loose on its own.

Is it really coming loose or are you just getting the light? Are you tightening it until it clicks?

[lonestarbuzz]

i have to really push mine hard as i turn it slowly when i put the gas cap back on. then i turn it for about 5 or so clicks slowly. if i don't do this, it will come loose. i even went to pep boys and got a code scanner to read the check engine light codes to make sure it was the gas cap.

[Dr. Jimbo]

Are you buying good gas? In a pinch one time I had to get gas at 7/11 (don't flame me, I learned my lesson). After that I got the CEL. Only buy top tier gas - Shell, Chevron, Texaco, 76 and I think there are some others.

[bbcricketta]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

i have to really push mine hard as i turn it slowly when i put the gas cap back on. then i turn it for about 5 or so clicks slowly. if i don't do this, it will come loose. i even went to pep boys and got a code scanner to read the check engine light codes to make sure it was the gas cap.

you shouldn't have to do anything but turn the gas cap. turn it until you meet some resistance, and then turn some more to "click" it. you should not have to push it hard--and it shouldn't come loose. something is awry.

Originally Posted by Dr. Jimbo

Are you buying good gas? In a pinch one time I had to get gas at 7/11 (don't flame me, I learned my lesson). After that I got the CEL. Only buy top tier gas - Shell, Chevron, Texaco, 76 and I think there are some others.

i thought all gasoline came out of the same pipeline and that the individual companies put in their own special additives--that being what separates exxon from bp, hess from chevron. this is not to say that all additives are equal. maybe the 7/11 gas didn't have the good additives? who out there knows the real story?

[Swingle1]

It DOES come from the same pipeline and it IS the same gas... minus the additives. One other caveat... While I buy off-brands, I buy from high-volume stations. I avoid fly-by-night stations that maybe aren't as careful with the purity (dirt, water etc.), or don't necessarily turn their product as quickly. Gas does go bad over time.

Lack of additives won't throw a CEL. Impurities might.

[Dr. Jimbo]

I think 7/11 and impurities might have been the cause. Probably some Slurpee in the lines.

Swingle, I just went to www.toptiergasoline.com and yup, you're right, it's all about the additives. I guess over the long haul, buying Arco or other non-top tier gas could come back to bite you with build-up, sticky valves, gunk in the engine, etc. So, my bad, I guess in a pinch it's not bad for the S, unless there is crap in the gas (like a podunk 7/11 gas station).

[lonestarbuzz]

[quote=bbcricketta;52764]you shouldn't have to do anything but turn the gas cap. turn it until you meet some resistance, and then turn some more to "click" it. you should not have to push it hard--and it shouldn't come loose. something is awry.


I agree. Something is wrong... I probably need a new gas cap. But my system seems to work for now, so I'll keep on keepin' on. I did do a little research and found a few other owners with the same deal, so I'm not terrified.

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jimbo

I think 7/11 and impurities might have been the cause. Probably some Slurpee in the lines.

Swingle, I just went to www.toptiergasoline.com and yup, you're right, it's all about the additives. I guess over the long haul, buying Arco or other non-top tier gas could come back to bite you with build-up, sticky valves, gunk in the engine, etc. So, my bad, I guess in a pinch it's not bad for the S, unless there is crap in the gas (like a podunk 7/11 gas station).

Exactly. I'd sure love to see some independent data comparing engine life with various additives. The oil companies are always showing pictures of valves with a pound of carbon on them... but who really knows? I mean, if you can't trust big oil advertizing, who can you trust... right?
But yeah, if I ever come across REAL data indicating cost effective value in buying a more expensive product, I'll buy it. Until then, gimme my 50 cents a gallon back!!

[Swingle1]

Here's something from the guvmint.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/bro...ine/index.html

[gomarlins3]

With my gas cap, I turn it maybe 1 turn and it starts to click. I know that isn't as far as it should go so I keep turning and it will start to turn easily again and then start clicking again. The 2nd set of clicks is when it is tight, not the first. This doesn't happen ever time, but I know it when it does.

[philiam]

The gasket gets hard and cracks. You need a new cap.

[Seraph87]

To answer the first question, I almost always get shell v-power (goes with the v-tech right??) but if not there, then another name brand with the 93 octane. It takes a couple rotations before it starts to click and then I usually do about 5 clicks. After the light came on the second time, I started checking my gas cap every time I finished driving and it's almost always not as tight as when I last tightened it.

[desmo4]

You may have scratched the pipe with the nozzle. Examine it closely. If there are any scratches then polish them out with 400 or finer sand paper. Don't forget to put a clean rag down the pipe first to prevent particles from getting inside the tank. If the cel is the gas cap then the type gas you are using has nothing to do with it, you could fill it with water and as long as the cap is sealing you won't get a cel.

Jonathan

[gomarlins3]

Originally Posted by Seraph87

.. shell v-power (goes with the v-tech right??) but if not there, then another name brand with the 93 octane...

Our Shell v-power is now 94 Octane. Our regular is 90 and mid-grade is 92. Just another reason to love Idaho.

P.S. It's VTEC not v-tech, that's a phone.

[Seraph87]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

P.S. It's VTEC not v-tech, that's a phone.

I humbly submit my sincere apologies. It shan't happen again for fear that I will be struck down by the "VTEC" gods, and with my luck, blow my engine

[Scooter]

I haven't had this problem with my AP2, with with my AP1, I (FINALLY) noticed that it 'clicked' before it was locked. After two trips to the dealer so they could check the code and laugh at me, I found that the cap was dragging a bit early on, and it clicked and I thought it was locked. I learned to push it in while turning, and then it only clicked when it was really in. Never got the CE after that...

[mgm]

I swear I tighten mine enough but it still loosens and trips the CE Light. Seems to only happen if I drive on a trip or for an extended period of time. Maybe I'll get a new one as well.