jason7579 5 Posted October 24, 2009 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted October 24, 2009 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!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jason7579 5 Posted October 24, 2009 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted October 24, 2009 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) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz 421 Posted October 24, 2009 It's pretty common tbh, perhaps the breathers are blocked? Or the seal on the cap isn't doing an amazing job these days? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jason7579 5 Posted October 24, 2009 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted October 25, 2009 A cigarette is not actully hot enough to light petrol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
omega 82 Posted October 25, 2009 A cigarette is not actully hot enough to light petrol. but its not the petrol that lights its the fumes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted October 25, 2009 but its not the petrol that lights its the fumes That is correct but a cigarette won't ignite fuel vapour either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron 16 Posted October 25, 2009 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jason7579 5 Posted October 25, 2009 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted October 25, 2009 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron 16 Posted October 25, 2009 I tried fitting two seals to my fuel cap once, made bugger all difference! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted October 25, 2009 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted June 28, 2010 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted June 28, 2010 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P_Monty 2 Posted June 28, 2010 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... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
asdf205 0 Posted June 29, 2010 Mine used to do this and i was quite worried about it so i picked up a new cap from ebay for about £5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
