Fuel Filler Cap Message
09-09-2007, 12:08 PM
#1
Fuel Filler Cap Message
Has anyone else gotten the fuel filler cap loose message intermittently? It's happened to me twice now in my one year of ownership. I know it's not me because I'm very careful about tightening the cap several clicks.
The first time it happened, it was on the first real hot day of the summer, and my car had been sitting in the sun all day. I listened to the message and read the manual - which says there could be a problem with the emissions system due to the loose cap. However, the cap wasn't loose. It says that after you tighten the cap, the error will go away after several days of normal driving. Instead of waiting, I just filled up the gas tank and the error went away. This time, it was again after sitting in the sun for several hours on a very hot day - much hotter than it had been recently. As I expected, the cap was tight. However, this time simply filling up didn't fix the problem. I had to drive it for two days before the error went away. Is it normal for these filler cap things to flake out like this occasionally? If it is normal, I wouldn't mind driving it for a couple of days if it weren't for that stupid message, nav system mail and that 'i' light on the dash. It's extremely annoying...
Thanks for any thoughts,
Mike
The first time it happened, it was on the first real hot day of the summer, and my car had been sitting in the sun all day. I listened to the message and read the manual - which says there could be a problem with the emissions system due to the loose cap. However, the cap wasn't loose. It says that after you tighten the cap, the error will go away after several days of normal driving. Instead of waiting, I just filled up the gas tank and the error went away. This time, it was again after sitting in the sun for several hours on a very hot day - much hotter than it had been recently. As I expected, the cap was tight. However, this time simply filling up didn't fix the problem. I had to drive it for two days before the error went away. Is it normal for these filler cap things to flake out like this occasionally? If it is normal, I wouldn't mind driving it for a couple of days if it weren't for that stupid message, nav system mail and that 'i' light on the dash. It's extremely annoying...
Thanks for any thoughts,
Mike
09-09-2007, 07:18 PM
#4
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I've never had that message (*knocks on wood*) and my car sits outside all day while I'm at work and we have had a record number of record highs this summer including many days at 100+.
09-09-2007, 09:54 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
you could also try a different company for fuel.
Not sure what you have down south but go for the better brand name. This would be just a test, I still say let honda/acura analyze what the problem is.
Not sure what you have down south but go for the better brand name. This would be just a test, I still say let honda/acura analyze what the problem is.
09-10-2007, 12:42 PM
#6
haole kama'a-ina
The emisions evaporation system (EVAP) stores fuel vapors in a charcoal cannister. It intermittantly routes them to the engine to be burned. The EVAP system depends on both pressure and vacuum to function. The vapor pressure sensor will trigger codes if the pressure or vacuum is out of parameters.
The cap must be tight to keep the vapors from venting out that way; hence the "filler cap" message was developed since that's the typical "human error" cause.
However, since your cap is tight, check these items:
Is the filler neck opening bent or distorted in any way that would prevent the cap from sealing?
Do not try to top-up or overfill the tank as this can force liquid fuel into the EVAP system.
If neither of these apply, then it's likely that the direct sun is causing a rise in EVAP pressure that the vapor pressure sensor sees as a leak. It could be a leak or a stuck valve.
I think the solar heating is definitely related.
The cap must be tight to keep the vapors from venting out that way; hence the "filler cap" message was developed since that's the typical "human error" cause.
However, since your cap is tight, check these items:
Is the filler neck opening bent or distorted in any way that would prevent the cap from sealing?
Do not try to top-up or overfill the tank as this can force liquid fuel into the EVAP system.
If neither of these apply, then it's likely that the direct sun is causing a rise in EVAP pressure that the vapor pressure sensor sees as a leak. It could be a leak or a stuck valve.
I think the solar heating is definitely related.
09-11-2007, 08:36 PM
#7
Thanks - that helps. If it happens again (the message is gone now), I'm going to set up an appointment to have it looked at. I can't tell if the neck is bent or deformed in any way. When I fill, I go until it clicks off, and then one more click - and I do it the same way every time.
Either way, it does sound like I have an issue of some sort - the question is whether it is bad enough for the dealer to actually find it. Given that the message is gone now, I'm thinking it would be a waste of time to take it in.
Thanks for the help,
Mike
Either way, it does sound like I have an issue of some sort - the question is whether it is bad enough for the dealer to actually find it. Given that the message is gone now, I'm thinking it would be a waste of time to take it in.
Thanks for the help,
Mike
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08-11-2012, 10:25 PM
#9
You could have a bad o-ring on your filler cap, check to see if it is cracking or broken. If not you most likely have some small leak in the Evap system or a bad sensor...the dealer would most likely use a smoke machine on the evap system to find small leaks.
10-27-2012, 06:18 PM
#12
Intermediate
I got the fuel filler door message this week for the first time in my two years of ownership. I just tightened (I usually always do) and it went away. I don't think it is an issue for me. My 2009 Acura RDX has never had anything wrong with it.
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