Driving with a damaged gas cap can be dangerous for several reasons, among which are the loss of gasoline, risk of fire, emissions problems and performance problems: Therefore, below we show you the symptoms that will alert you in case of that you are a victim of this mishap.
Signs that your car’s gas tank cap is damaged
Cracks or scratches: The gas cap can suffer external damage due to collisions or minor shocks. If you find cracks or scratches on the surface of the lid, it may be damaged and need replacement.
Deformation: This part can be deformed due to pressure or heat. If you notice that the cover is crooked or bent in any way, you’ll have signs in front of you alerting you to an impending replacement.
Lack of Fit: The gas cap should fit correctly in place and have no play. Therefore, there does not have to be unusual movements or departures from its place.
Difficulty opening or closing: This piece should open easily, therefore, if you have problems during this process, something is wrong, pay attention to this sign and do not let it go unnoticed. It seems silly but it could cause problems in the future.
Unsafe Closing: failure to close properly allows gas to escape. If you notice that the cap isn’t as close to the edge of the gas tank as it should be, or if the latch seems loose, you may need to replace the cap.
In addition to inspect the gas cap visually, you can also test its status by performing some simple tests. For example, you can try opening and closing the lid a few times to see if it moves smoothly and effortlessly. You could also try to apply a little pressure on the lid in order to detect deformities.
In short, if you find any of the signs mentioned above or if the lid doesn’t work properly during testing, it’s probably faulty and needs to be replaced. If you have any doubts about the state of the part, it is recommended to go to a trusted mechanic to have it checked.
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