MikeElmendorf

Hi -

I've been getting a "tighten gas cap" message on my 07 TL-S (27k miles). It started about a month ago, culminating with a check engine light. Took the car in and they had to replace the fuel injectors, claiming it was related to the fuel mixture (increased ethanol content). They indicated they had seen this a few times. Ok, I thought. (Car seemed to be running fine, by the way).

Picked it up, and within a few days, the tighten fuel cap message returned. Took it back. They replaced the fuel cap. Two days later, the message is back.

The fuel cap is tight--I always do at least 3 clicks. I'm using premium grade gas, generally Mobil, not always from the same gas station, so I don't think it is a fuel quality issue.

Any ideas? Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks.

csmeance

change the gas station you are using, see if that helps. If not, have them inspect the fuel tank and lines for any sort of leak where vapor may be escaping from.

01tl4tl

sounds like the connector for fill pipe is loose- has happened before...
must be a fast moving part of the assembly line, and the hose clamp sometimes gets missed or that type of issue IMO

MikeElmendorf

It's not gas--I've purchased gas from several different stations in different areas even. I'm in Albany, but last weekend was in Boston, filled up twice there and got the same issue.

ajbiggie

My car does the EXACT SAME THING!! I just got back from the dealership Sat and they were like oh no big deal bad fuel mixture or your cap is not tight... BUT IT IS and I use quality gas and it didn't do it the first 25k+ miles... what's the deal!

Anansi

This is getting to be quite a common problem. There have been many threads on this. In my case the fix was to replace the fuel filler neck where they found a small leak.

Here are other threads on this subject:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...750&highlight=
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...586&highlight=

tonto340

I was having the same problem. The dealer drove it with an OBD computer hooked up but didn't get any codes. They replaced the fuel cap, again with no luck. Finally they called the Acura Tech-Line and found out they needed to replace three parts related to the canister (I can't look up the names since I'm at work).

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Tell them to replace the Purge control solonoid. Or to use the resources they have and call Tech line if they dont believe me. Car shoulda been fixed by now. (or woulda been if I worked on it lol)

240sx acura tech

sounds like there is a tank leak . take it to the dealer.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

I have fixed a bunch of these. The purge control solonoid INTERMITENTLY bleeds off vacuum and the PCM interperets that as a small leak (p0457) and sets a temp DTC. The MID displays that temp as "Tighten.." Later the EVAP will run its test and determine the EVAP system is ok which is why when you take it to the dealer there is no temp DTC. The message will clear after a day or two of driving. It can be a tricky one to diagnose due to this intermitent condition. I have never seen anyone repair one of these by replacing a filler neck on this model. Mdx yes. Tl no.

amer

I had my car at the dealership like 1 month ago had the problem thighten gas cap. so they had the car and found to be a fuel filler pipe they replaced that part. and I got the light back on this past week 2 times. They told me to bring it back to diagnose it again.so I have appointment this thursday. the message stays on for like 5 minutes and goes away.

I wonder what could it be. I see RACINGHART03 mention purge control solonoid.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Like I said. I have not seen that issue repaired by replacement of the filler neck as a success on that model. MDX yes, Some of the pre 2004 Rls yes, but Tl NO. Havem call tech line. Tech Line will tell them the same thing I just explained above.

amer

They did that as per tech line and my car was in the shop for 5 days and thats what techline told them to replace the fuel filler neck.
when light comes on it goes off in like 5 to 10 minutes and i wont come on maybe for like few days or weeks. intermitent problem.
So you work for acura?

I will mention this to them when i go in thrusday.

ACURA TECH 0339

you should take your car to the dealer and have them run a evap system function test with the HDS and smoke test the evap system for a leak i had a couple of cars coming in for this problem when the next EVAP monitor runs, the cap wasn’t tightened or there’s another EVAP system leak detected, the MIL comes on and the message goes off. A permanent DTC is now stored in the ECM/PCM’s memory. If the owner now tightens the cap, the MIL should go off after the next EVAP monitor run, yet, this could still take days or weeks. im a tech for acura, i got this article of their service news/bulletin .....i actually just signed up for acurazine today.... i hope this will help you guys a little bit if you guys got any questions just drop me a line ill try to get back as soon as i can......

amer

Acura Tech

how come there is no codes stored in the system?
when my light comes on i just erase the message on the navi screen or i ignor it and the message goes away i bring it to the dealer they say there is no codes. so they had my car for 5 days did fault tracing end up finding the fuel filler neck and replace that. i drove the car for a 1 month and the light came back on this past wensday and again came on this past sunday. so i am brigning it back this thrusday

240sx acura tech

this is what we call a ghost code. most likly there is something causing the mil to come on and is cleared when you clear it or you turn the car off. i would take it in and tell them not to shut it off. we have been have pcm problems and evap canaster malfuctions.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

I gave an indepth explanation on why there are no codes stored.

BMC

I only have 16K+ miles on my 07 TL Type S and have recently experienced this light/message pop up. A buddy of mine told me to remove my gas cap and tighten it again with 3 clicks then start my car again, message was then gone. I don't drive my drive daily but the message has not returned just yet but after reading all this here, I am concerned that it will come back on eventually.

Same here, I always get gas from Mobil and always close the gas cap with at least 3 clicks.

This is good info shared here and I hope someone can definitively confirm what the issue is here with this.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Now that you are aware just be sure that your cap is 3 clicks tight and that the tether is not caught under the cap. If the light comes on again and these conditions have been met there is something wrong. Its pretty UNCOMMON though so dont fret.

BMC

Thanks for the heads up.....