Kasanova King

2003 TL -S

Ok, I'm not sure exactly what it's called but what I'm referring to is the plate that covers the hole when you take your gas cap off in most vehicles. My TL does not have anything there, it's just a hole straight to the tank. Do they not have one?

Kasanova King

Anyone? Maybe I didn't clarify myself. Ok, when you go to get gas, you take off the cap...then you put the nozzle of the gas hose in the hole...now, usually there is a metal plate that covers that hole and it bends inward when you put the nozzle of the hose in it, it then bends back to cover up the hole when you remove the nozzle - this is the way it is in most cars...what I'm asking is do TL's not have one? Because mine does not, there's just a hole there.

I'm wondering if somehow that little metal plate broke off and fell into the tank...could this cause problems?

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

nope there is no metal flap.

acutee

I think that was old style or maybe on domestic cars. I have not seen the metal flap for a long time. my old car had it.

Kasanova King

Cool. Thanks for answering guys!

01tl4tl

iirc: that plate was from the days of unleaded and leaded gas being sold side by side.
older cars-1950-70s needed the leaded gas,,, but its no longer sold-
health hazard to humans,,causes acid rain with lead added- what a bonus!!

side note: south american countries allow leaded gas, all the cars run on it,(whats a cat??) and it literally rains that lead down on to the the chocolate trees!!! no kidding- which gets used by many many candy makers
geat, another health hazard

but using leaded in a car with a cat convertor--that gas would kill the cat quick
so the restrictor plate had a smaller filler hole as the solution

leaded hose had larger nozzle-(like diesel pumps do now)

no way to jam it in past the flap restrictor on a `no-lead` car
* I say no way but people did manage somehow.. with great effort- put a screwdriver in flap to open it so wrong nozzle `would fit`

Many years have passed and the plate has been removed-
10 cents per unit adds up to car makers-anything they can pressure the govt to remove...they will

there no longer being a `wrong gas` available to use, it was a pointless part

-Safety briefing:
You want the metal fuel nozzle to touch metal inside the filler neck
that creates a `ground`-
Flowing fuel creates its own static electrical charge-simply by flowing thru the hose..-just waiting to ignite stray fuel vapors

Solution= put the nozzle in and let it drop down- making the top part contact the filler neck,,see diagram on any gas pump in America
I know states (Ca for sure) are now removing the holder mechanism that allows you to set it and forget it--it is supposed to auto-stop at first click-allows room for gas expansion and keeps it from going to the charcoal cannister and ruining it (thats why you dont `top off` the gas tank)
BUT it doesnt always do that~

Soon you will have to stay at the nozzle, holding it open the entire time,,
the idea is to prevent a faulty pump shut-off from spraying 5 gallons everywhere when gas tank overflows,,, and you are inside the store or washing the windows...not standing at nozzle to shut it off

I have seen the results of such an event,,its not pretty

reminder: for winter,, or anytime wearing nylon coats/warm up pants.
YOU create a static charge by moving around while fueling, washing windows,or getting in and out of car

When returning to pump, BEFORE touching the nozzle:
touch the unpainted/bare metal SIDE of the pump unit- with your bare hand-that discharges any charge you are carrying into their grounding system

when you see the gas station explosions on tv--a guy suddenly engulfed in flames at pump--guess why! the right combination of bad things got together

Notice if you get a shock getting just out of the car somewhere,
now rub your feet on carpet a few times- you are loaded and ready!

You can install a ground strap like truckers use to solve that problem-
A certain wife is not very pleasent about getting zapped!

please tell your friends about this precaution for any car--
especially if they have vinyl seats--its just begging for a problem if you start gas, get back in car to stay warm --get out sliding across the seat = loaded like a ballon rubbed against your head!!

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

just filled up gas for the first time in my parents new 2010 Subaru Forester and guess what?
it had a metal flap. i laughed a little on the inside recalling this thread.

thelastaspec

I actually had this exact same question.
I noticed this when I put fuel system cleaner in my car...

01tl4tl

perhaps the subaru is set up for international sales- where various gas types may be available,,,
and the stupid must be protected from themself

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

^ yeah youre probably right. the forester is most likely shipped all from one source in Japan, as opposed to from plants in each region.

Subaru is one of the few remaining car companies thats still 100% import. My forester was assembled in Ota, Gunma, Japan and shipped over. i dunno i think thats pretty cool.

finalcross

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I remembered I was kind of confused too. I drove 2 BMW's in the past. A 99' and a 03' and they both had a metal flap there. That's why at first I didn't pour seafoam into my gas tank until I realized there is nothing to stop me.

Gfaze

My car did have it at one time. I think the flap is either stuck due to a broken spring or it broke off altogether. It's not gonna hurt anything either way so I wouldn't worry about it.