Well I think I might have solved my gas cap problem of having to buy a new gas cap or two every year. I have one original (since I purchased the car) and a few more that I have gotten from NAPA over the past few years to the tune of about 13 + dollars apiece.

Monday, I found a seal and bearing company near here and I took the cap to them and told them my problem. I removed the seal and the gentleman measured it and then matched mine to a new one. I told him I could use two or three of them, but they had a sign at the counter that said, "Minimum purchase $40.00." I pointed out the sign and asked him how much I owed and he said, "Oh, I'll just give you these."

I tried to pay him for them but he wouldn't take my money. So I was very gracious.

There is a groove around the outside of the seal on the NAPA cap and he said that they were made so they would fail. The ones he gave me were solid. And he said that his were made for gasoline applications, too.

So I put a new gasket in one of the caps, stuck it in the car and let it run for about 20 minutes and wallah!! No engine light. So I'll have to see how they work out. Hopefully- problem solved.

 

So how many spares do you have to share with the rest of the group?

 

pics would help

 

Well, it did cross my mind to see how many people I could find who kept their old NAPA gas caps, buy $40.00 worth and sell them. He wouldn't tell me how much they cost. I would guess......how much? $4-5.00? I would get enough to sell them to people and mail them to people if they paid the shipping/postage.
As far as I know, they'll only fit NAPA caps. They have a smaller OD and ID than the GM cap. So I don't know if they would work on the GM cap. I'd hate to ruin a new seal on the GM cap. I tried a used one on the GM cap and it's a little tighter than the old one.

So let me see how this one works and I'll get back with you. I'd hate to have this new one fail after I passed a bunch of them out. So I'll see how it goes and let you know how it turns out. OK?

 

What's irritating is the gas cap is part of the emission system and should be covered for the limit of the warranty.
(100,000miles)

 

I have done the same thing for years, just find an O ring that fits and you are good to go.

 

Do you replace the seal on an original GM gas cap? Or another brand?

 

Where I work we have a huge stockroom, I just found an O ring that fit and used that. My 03 Grand Prix would throw a evap leak code due to the O ring not sealing, I get about 2 years out of my cheapo replacements. I keep a few in the trunk, whenever the code pops up I just change the O ring. If you knew the exact size you could probably order a 10 pack from Grainger for less than a buck each.

 

If you look at the side of the GM gas cap, it has a deep grove around it also- just like the o ring on the NAPA o ring. This is the reason the gentleman who I got my seals from said that they are made to fail. They are not a solid ring. They are made to collapse. And on a Corvette which sits so much and is hardly ever removed, it collapses/crushes a lot faster than other cars.

 

IF you find a seal that works, see if you can get it in Viton material, good for gasoline usage.