Gas cap malfunction
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 166
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From: Naples, FL -/- Oxford, England
Gas cap malfunction
Thanks to those who offered suggestions to fix a P 0440. Of course, gas cap was the top pick, but I thought it unlikely as I'm aware of the probability of a CEL if not fitted correctly.
So, imagine my surprise when I went to check and the gas cap just fell off. So I pushed it fully and turned clockwise thru several clicks ...... it was still loose and could just be pulled right out.
I suspect some sort of fault with the clutch/ratchet mechanism because I fiddled about with the cap turning the inner center both ways relative to the outer cap and then tried it again on filler and it latched properly with a few clicks. Might squirt a bit of plastic lubricant into the rotating center.
Fixed the code and CEL also
So, imagine my surprise when I went to check and the gas cap just fell off. So I pushed it fully and turned clockwise thru several clicks ...... it was still loose and could just be pulled right out.
I suspect some sort of fault with the clutch/ratchet mechanism because I fiddled about with the cap turning the inner center both ways relative to the outer cap and then tried it again on filler and it latched properly with a few clicks. Might squirt a bit of plastic lubricant into the rotating center.
Fixed the code and CEL also
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Had a the same thing happen, just replaced the cap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Midland TX
Not to hi-jack the thread, but a related question...
I recently started getting a P 0442 and CEL. That also pointed to the Gas Cap as the most likely offender (not hard to imagine after 13 years as a DD!).
I just received a replacement cap today. The web site I ordered it from says it is a Genuine Original GM Replacement. When it arrived it shows to be an AC Delco Part Number 10372242... is that considered an "Original GM Replacement"? Does GM sell a cap that is not AC Delco?
In the photo below you can see the comparison - quite a bit different design, but seems to fit fine. Did I get the right replacement?
I recently started getting a P 0442 and CEL. That also pointed to the Gas Cap as the most likely offender (not hard to imagine after 13 years as a DD!).
I just received a replacement cap today. The web site I ordered it from says it is a Genuine Original GM Replacement. When it arrived it shows to be an AC Delco Part Number 10372242... is that considered an "Original GM Replacement"? Does GM sell a cap that is not AC Delco?
In the photo below you can see the comparison - quite a bit different design, but seems to fit fine. Did I get the right replacement?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,616
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
The replacement cap you got looks just like the one I got from GM. Mine is an 04 so maybe there was a change as the replacement was just like the original on mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
The replacement I got certainly is less complicated and feels "cheaper" than my original when I lock it down... maybe they switched to a cheaper design in later years and they are not lasting as long?
Last edited by Choreo; Mar 14, 2013 at 11:28 PM.
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Good deal that you got the car fixed and nice that it was an inexpensive and simple solution. The forum has helped me out a number of times and saved me a bunch of money.
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Pro
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From: Tallahassee, FL
I have read here on the Forum where some owners with the old style like yours with an O Ring that seals, have used some silicon to repair the O Ring and then wax paper over the seal until the silicon sets. If I had an old style with damaged O Ring, I'd try that for certain..........
Le Mans Master
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I don't want to risk sounding stupid so I won't ask why you don't just find the right size O ring and replace it ? Remember, I didn't ask !
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Not to hi-jack the thread, but a related question...
I recently started getting a P 0442 and CEL. That also pointed to the Gas Cap as the most likely offender (not hard to imagine after 13 years as a DD!).
I just received a replacement cap today. The web site I ordered it from says it is a Genuine Original GM Replacement. When it arrived it shows to be an AC Delco Part Number 10372242... is that considered an "Original GM Replacement"? Does GM sell a cap that is not AC Delco?
In the photo below you can see the comparison - quite a bit different design, but seems to fit fine. Did I get the right replacement?
I recently started getting a P 0442 and CEL. That also pointed to the Gas Cap as the most likely offender (not hard to imagine after 13 years as a DD!).
I just received a replacement cap today. The web site I ordered it from says it is a Genuine Original GM Replacement. When it arrived it shows to be an AC Delco Part Number 10372242... is that considered an "Original GM Replacement"? Does GM sell a cap that is not AC Delco?
In the photo below you can see the comparison - quite a bit different design, but seems to fit fine. Did I get the right replacement?
I'm not sure why it stopped working so I guess everything breaks after 10 years despite the low miles. I haven't received any "check engine" alerts and I haven't checked for codes.
My question, are there any better quality alternatives or should I just buy another GM cap and hope it lasts another 10 years?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
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Thought I would bump this thread instead of starting a new one because I noticed after my last fill up that I could not get my gas cap to twist lock. After seeing this picture, I realized that my 2004 has the cheaper version shown above on the right.
I'm not sure why it stopped working so I guess everything breaks after 10 years despite the low miles. I haven't received any "check engine" alerts and I haven't checked for codes.
My question, are there any better quality alternatives or should I just buy another GM cap and hope it lasts another 10 years?
I'm not sure why it stopped working so I guess everything breaks after 10 years despite the low miles. I haven't received any "check engine" alerts and I haven't checked for codes.
My question, are there any better quality alternatives or should I just buy another GM cap and hope it lasts another 10 years?