skip to main content

loose gas cap & engine light??

13 years ago

I'm in NJ... one of I think only TWO states where you're not ALLOWED to pump your own gas.

Back in early August, I set out on a 350+ mile road trip to WV. Over 200 miles into trip, I hit a 60-somthing mile stretch of SERIOUS inclines. On FIRST steep climb, car started shaking & bucking, serious loss of power, and engine light came on... scared me to DEATH!! As soon as I crested and started DOWN, light went off and car ran just fine. Figured I was kinda at a "point of no return"... closer to sister's place and potential need for rescue. This repeated at EVERY steep incline until I finally got to about as high as I was gonna be.

Car didn't stall, temp never changed, tach needle didn't go crazy??

Got to final destination but scared silly about what I was gonna do... another 350+ miles to get back home after about 4 days!!

I had checked oil and coolant before taking off. Had gotten tank filled night before leaving. As far as I thought, was just gonna be a LONG but uneventful drive. Once I got to WV, only thing I could initially think to do was crack open the owners manual... for maybe the 3-4th time only. Had small "trouble shooting" section and ONLY comment immediately mentioned about check engine light was a loose gas cap?? Even SAYS at gas cap that it should click at LEAST 3 times of light could come on. Sure enough, it clicked MANY more times.

When I got ready to start home, was almost holding my breath... trip starts with a pretty steep incline!?! Car made it up hill with NO problems and rest of drive (though a bit nerve wracking) was without incident.

Have made a few observations since incident. Before, had rare/ramdon episodes where car would sputter... but no check engine light... hmmm Last week, again NO check engine light but some occasional sputtering... lightened cap a few more clicks and everything was fine.

Don't really HAVE a "mechanic"... KNOCK ON WOOD, have only have to have things serviced... no major repairs. Know I have an "if it ain't broke..." attitude about a lot of things. Thinking if I actually take it somewhere, explain what happened... they'll SURELY find something BIG to fix??

Have you ever experienced anything like this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

sdello
13 years ago
you never said what kind of car or what size engine. Bottom line is that the car's computer checks the pressure in the gas tank for emissions purposes. It wants to maintain a vacuum to minimize any vapor loss to the atmosphere. If the pressure is not within a certain value it will cause a fault which manifests itself as the check engine light going on.

Also, if there is a fault or if you got a batch of bad gas. The computer may retard the timing to prevent detonation (backfiring). This usually results in less power under load (going up a steep grade) and may result in poor detonation which adds shaking to the engine when firing.

I suspect your issue was a combination of the two and you had fixed the gas cap and got a better batch of gas for the ride home.

I'll bet it was nerve wracking but I'm glad you made it OK.
anoriginal
Original Author
13 years ago
Car is an '04 Hyundai Sante Fe... 4 cylinder... about 114,000 miles.. pretty gently driven considering 9 years old. And experience was IN DEED nerve wracking!! NEVER expected any glitch in road trip... had been taken several time before in same car. Car gets same gas mileage today as when it we brand new. Only major thing done was replacing timing belt/chain at 60,000 miles... previious car imploded cuz of that??
Related Discussions
Loose Gas Cap
Q
Comments (3)
I had the same experience after my 1993 Explore was totaled due to unseen heat or fire. The switch went 360 degrees and the main wiring harness bakes the dash and windshield. Looking for another Real SUV/Truck I went with an 07 4Runner, V6 2WD (to get a rear wheel drive and axle capacity). A week before the State Inception I noticed all types of lights on in the dash. The DIY is let the Auto Store diagnose the codes which showed a leaking gas cap. Seeing an O-Ring, I asked for another but it was more. Purchased a cap, lights cleared, got my Inspection. I noticed the O-Rind was flattened on the failed cap but no quality in the new cap. A week or two later I noticed the original capÃ¢ÂÂs O-Ring had regained its shape. Took the old back by the Inspection Station and it tested OK. I took the new cap back for the refund due to quality and not fitting doorÃ¢ÂÂs retainer while pumping. In the process Black On Black letters read to turn the cap One Click vs my normal 2-3. You Live And Learn! I drive 1-2 days a week approx less than 2,000mi a yr. I still have a lot to learn except changing oil every 6 mo due to warranty requiring ea 5,000mi or 6 mos. Yep! A Warranty, at that price but more due to all the New Technology. PS. I do have a truck shell and trailer for planned wood vs this surprises I let this young contractor give me.
...See More
Engine Looses Power after 30 minutes
Q
Comments (4)
Hi crazzeddie, love your commercials from the 80's by the way. Sounds fuel-related. Had a similar problem a week ago. Mownie, here on the forum, advised me that it might be a clogged gas cap, which after 20 or 30 mins does not allow fuel to exit the gas tank very well. Might try loosening the gas cap a bit and give that a try. New gas cap works after that for a permanent fix, if that were the cause. Otherwise, check for blockage in/at the governor linkage - grass, a stick, etc. If none of the above, also check your gas line - might have a bit of roughage in it from the winter. You would have to remove the carb and clean out the bowl w/air compressor, where the needle underneath seats with the carb. I believe its easier on the B&S 18 twin to remove the intake manifold as well, to clean. Be careful not to lose the needle, accompanying spring and chrome hinge pole thing. Be careful to note the original set-up of the spring before ripping it apart. Good Luck!
...See More
Got my oil changed and now my 'check engine' light is on.
Q
Comments (1)
*Is it just a big coincidence* Probably. I'd check the gas cap for starters. I've heard a number of people say that their lights came on simply because it wasn't on tight enough. You might tell the guys that changed the oil your story and see if they'd take a quick look to see if they did knock a wire or hose off. Good luck.
...See More
Why would anyone steel a gas cap?
Q
Comments (15)
I remember back when I was a senior in high school. I had a 1971 Ford pickup. Drove it to school often. One day I came out and found the gas cap was gone. A day or so later I was with a bunch of friends in a big parking lot. A couple of them wandered off while some of us stood there and talked. They came back a while later with about 10 similar caps for my truck. They had went and found likely prospects and stolen the caps that mite fit my truck. I refused to accept any of them and since they couldn't remember which cap came from which vehicle I told them to leave all the caps on the poarch of the grocery store where hopefully the owners could find them. I went the next day and bought a new locking gas cap. I figure somebody needed a gas cap and stole mine. But I sure wasn't about to do the same. Pooh Bear
...See More
christopherh
13 years ago
Since your engine light went on, it's stored in the computer. Have a mechanic or dealer pull the codes. (a 5 minute operation) A loose gas cap normally wouldn't cause the problems you incurred.

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Materials for an Elegant, Harmonious Landscape

By Donald Pell - Gardens

Give your landscape the polished, rustic or perfectly imperfect look you love with these natural and engineered materials

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

LIGHTING The Lowdown on High-Efficiency LED Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Learn about LED tapes, ropes, pucks and more to create a flexible and energy-efficient lighting design that looks great

FIREPLACES 12 Hot Ideas for Fireplace Facing

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

From traditional brick to industrial steel, there’s a fireplace cladding here to light up your design

TINY HOUSES Adventure Seekers Hit the Road in a Cozy School Bus Home

By Mitchell Parker

Wood floors, butcher block countertops, custom furnishings and LED lights make life on the road feel like just another stylish day at home

GREEN BUILDING Healthy Home: Sunrooms and Conservatories

By Jess McBride

Discover how bringing in natural light can give your life a healthy glow

MATERIALS What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

By Mitchell Parker

We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring

VICTORIAN DESIGN Houzz Tour: San Francisco’s Haas-Lilienthal House

By Mary Jo Bowling

Get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of this storied Victorian mansion from its decade-long caretaker

HEALTHY HOME Give Your Baby the Healthiest, Safest Nursery Possible

By Robyn Lawrence

Protect your newborn by choosing nontoxic nursery furniture, bedding, rugs and paint. We give you all the details here

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

Sponsored