what might cause gas cap to seize up?

Non VX question.....

• Gas cap on other truck (Lexus/Toyota) basically seized up, couldn't budge it. Had to use channel locks to get it open...damaged it.
  
• Researched on 'net...not uncommon, and cap usually destroyed to remove it...but couldn't find a cause listed...
  
  
• Tried aftermarket one designated for this truck, didn't properly seal...
  
  
• Ponied up for an OEM.....on 2nd fill-up....same problem...seized up....2 OEM caps failed all within 2 weeks...:_thinking
  
  
• All fill ups were at same local pumps.
  
  
• Had really hot temps last 2 weeks, one day was 103.
  
  
• Can't think of any other factors that've changed.
  
  
• Any idea what's causing this? :_thinking

now, thats weird. Never heard of anything like that other then cross threading, something like that which I know isn't the case. Can't wait to hear some of the responses to this and what the real cause turns out to be.

Only thing I can think of is the gasket on them getting stuck. Maybe something changed with the fuel in that area that is reacting with the seals. Try lubing it with some silicone spark plug boot release 1 or 2 times a month.

High gas Prices cause my gas cap to seize up.


I've been driving Toyota's since..... I started driving and, I have yet to have a gas cap seize up. Weird! HE-HE!! now it will happen next time I go to fill-up.

Sounds like a defect. Maybe the plastic is too soft(???) and maybe the current replacement caps available on the shelves are from the same batch and still not right(???) Maybe it's time to make calls to escalate the issue with the service manager or dealership owner.

yeah, Travis, I've never had anything going wrong with a gas cap either...and I was raised on Honda and Toyotas. But I hadn't thought of the price of gas, you're right, that MUST be it! :thumbup:

Rick you're right, and I've got to take it in for a few squeaks/rattles making me crazy and I'll have them look into it then. I can't imagine what could possibly caused things to start rattling...:_thinking...:p
It was a CPO Lexus, and I have a warranty left for about 10 more months....time to use it!
Weird that first cap lasted 5 years, 2nd one lasted 2 weeks.....

How about a fuel pump problem causing pressure to build up in the tank rather than in the output fuel line?

did you tell any of the neighbor kids to "get off your lawn!" recently? - maybe someone glued it?

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

How about a fuel pump problem causing pressure to build up in the tank rather than in the output fuel line?

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This was my thought as well.

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Originally Posted by evillecutter

did you tell any of the neighbor kids to "get off your lawn!" recently? - maybe someone glued it?

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well, if I had any neighbors or neighbor kids out here in the b-o-o-n-i-e-s, ;)......:laugho:.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_1629.JPG


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCF4018.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_0554.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/DSC_0527.JPG

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Originally Posted by JAMAS

This was my thought as well.

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would the hot air temps contribute to that? (Well, that's a dumb question Sue, if that was the case, then all of Phoenix and Las Vegas would shut down all summer cuz no one could get their gas cap off)....
I'm taking it in next week....I'll mention that....thx!

Have there been any changes lately in where you've been parking or how much fuel you've had in the tank compared to usual?

Like you, I'd also start to wonder along the lines of temperature changes that would result in pressure changes in the gas tank. Seeing as how this is summer in Phoenix, it might be the opposite of what is sometimes known to occur in winter. A gas tank that's run close to empty in the winter is more likely to get an accumulation of condensation after being warmed up by the exhaust system.

Has there been a lot of pressure released when you've eventually been able to get the caps loose?

Hey Kat! Where did you get that kool rear red tow hook?
Thx

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

well, if I had any neighbors or neighbor kids out here in the b-o-o-n-i-e-s, ;)......:laugho:.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_1629.JPG


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCF4018.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_0554.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/DSC_0527.JPG

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

Hey Kat! Where did you get that kool rear red tow hook?
Thx

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That's a Crosby 3/4" shackle
WLL 4.75 ton
I bought several rubber washers close to the 7/8" ID of the pin and put them on each side of the pin to lessen the rattling it makes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...P4YQ9BVRPQMWYE

I've got two of them up front too, just slightly smaller: 5/8", WLL 3.25 ton
.

cool yard! by the looks of it much more likely a varmint would tamper with it before any hooligan teens

I don't now how the gas caps work, but do they have a vent in them to release pressure? maybe if the tank went from really hot to a little cooler it actually made a suction? maybe the cap has a one-way vent? maybe your vent tubes are clogged? idk, just ideas...

With the mandated increases in ethanol content of gas these days, it's quite possible that the plastic in the cap has been attacked by the ethanol, seizing the cap to the filler neck. There has been quite a few ethanol-related problems with various manufacturers fuel systems having parts that are not compatible with the higher alcohol content in todays blended fuels. Just a thought... :_confused

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Originally Posted by evillecutter

cool yard! by the looks of it much more likely a varmint would tamper with it before any hooligan teens

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:_mecker::_mecker:
Yup, vermin....chewed up and ate hubby's $50 uber deluxe Amsoil NO OIL nano air filter last year.....and now they're discontinued....but it made nice comfy bedding for the vermin! :mado:

Thanks all, for the different ideas....I'm going to take them all to the Lexus service folks next week....Of course I could go REALLY OLD SCHOOL and just stick a rag in it, no more trouble getting it off! :rollo:

Sue,

If the stealership can't figure out what's going on then I'd suggest your next step should be another aftermarket cap. But before you start using it, drill a hole in it for a vacuum release screw (or even a Schrader valve).

Not sure if that's your problem but it's the next logical step to take.

Tom

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Originally Posted by tom4bren

Sue,

If the stealership can't figure out what's going on then I'd suggest your next step should be another aftermarket cap. But before you start using it, drill a hole in it for a vacuum release screw (or even a Schrader valve).

Not sure if that's your problem but it's the next logical step to take.

Tom

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Would that trigger a CEL because of the vapor or fumes?

screwing on a little less tight. Our VX cap says 3 clicks.

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Would that trigger a CEL because of the vapor or fumes?

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That's why I suggested a screw plug or a schrader valve. It'll act just like an un-modified cap until you release the pressure (or vacuum). The only problem I can foresee is that a schrader valve functions on positive pressure - it may leak if it's seeing negative pressure (vacuum). On the other hand, that might be mo betta.