Petrol Cap Loose?

[jason7579 5]

Yesterday I noticed that I had petrol fumes (I use super unleaded) escaping from the petrol cap.

 

Is this a problem?

 

How can I stop it?

 

If I need a new petrol cap can I change over the lock?

 

Thanks

[BusEngineer 7]

Not a lot of use this post but i had this once about 18months ago, just noticed it in my wing mirror while i was waiting for someone parked up. Never noticed it after, and i smoke so im sure id know about it if it was serious as id have blown myself up!!!

[jason7579 5]

Not a lot of use this post but i had this once about 18months ago, just noticed it in my wing mirror while i was waiting for someone parked up. Never noticed it after, and i smoke so im sure id know about it if it was serious as id have blown myself up!!!

 

Thanks. I don't smoke so I'm hoping I'm safe.

 

Only noticed it once yesterday so maybe its a one off?

[BusEngineer 7]

Like i say i never noticed it again, perhaps id managed to fit the cap a bit wrong that day, not sure was a while ago. Personally if i was you id check its fitted properly, and if it is remove and just check the condition of the seal, if its gone hard or looks damaged maybe its time for a new seal or cap (not sure if you can buy the seal separately, although im sure someone on here will know)

[Baz 421]

It's pretty common tbh, perhaps the breathers are blocked? Or the seal on the cap isn't doing an amazing job these days?

[jason7579 5]

Thanks, I'll take the cap off and give everything a clean up and check it all over.

 

Whereabouts are the breathers? Is that the small hole under the hole you use for filling up?

[Jrod 7]

A cigarette is not actully hot enough to light petrol.

[omega 82]

A cigarette is not actully hot enough to light petrol.

 

but its not the petrol that lights its the fumes

[jackherer 543]

but its not the petrol that lights its the fumes

 

That is correct but a cigarette won't ignite fuel vapour either.

[Cameron 16]

Nope, its Hollywood bollocks.

 

My car does this, and I think its down to blocked breathers as it also burps petrol when I fill up.

[jason7579 5]

Thanks again, is there any way to clean the breathers?

 

I won't worry too much about it but it would be nice to get it sorted.

[jackherer 543]

It probably is due to blocked breathers in most cases but the caps do go loose with age so its worth checking carefully, I was following my old 205 around a track while my mate was driving it and I was pretty worried watching it as every time it went round a left hand bend fuel was gushing out of the fuel cap

[Cameron 16]

I tried fitting two seals to my fuel cap once, made bugger all difference!

[jackherer 543]

Its not the seal that goes, I think there must be a spring in the cap that keeps the seal tight and its this that goes slack.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I noticed a quite impressive heat-haze like vapour trail from my cap today, whilst parked up.

 

Having done a search and read the topics I could find, nobody seems to have actually confirmed a solution for this yet. Is it a case of replacing the cap seal, or should I clean the breathers? I don't even know where to start with the breathers, is it covered in the Haynes BOL?

[GLPoomobile 958]

I noticed a quite impressive heat-haze like vapour trail from my cap today, whilst parked up.

 

Having done a search and read the topics I could find, nobody seems to have actually confirmed a solution for this yet. Is it a case of replacing the cap seal, or should I clean the breathers? I don't even know where to start with the breathers, is it covered in the Haynes BOL?

[P_Monty 2]

I'm not a 100% sure, but I'm sure I've heard somewhere that petrol fresh from the pump is cool (I don't think its chilled - just a result of being stored underground). Maybe on a hot day it expands and has to go somewhere...

[asdf205 0]

Mine used to do this and i was quite worried about it so i picked up a new cap from ebay for about £5.