what might cause gas cap to seize up?

[eblank]

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...

[Scott Larson]

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...

[VX KAT]

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

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!

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!

[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

[VX KAT]

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

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

[circmand]

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

[tom4bren]

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

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.