Fuel Cap Loose or Missing

[zdas04]

Since the fuel tank recall, I've had pretty continious problems with fuel messages. First I had the amber check engine light for two months. Then when I took it in for the latest "recall" they cleared the check engine light. This morning I got a "Fuel Cap Loose or Missing" message. Needless to say, the fuel cap is installed and as tight as the mechinism will allow.

Has anyone seen this and is there any way to clear it without another trip to the dealer (across the state) and a day of non-productive time?

David
New Mexico, '05 LR3

 

[toddjb122]

I just had both. I took it in, they had it for a week, replaced my gas tank and gas cap.

Didn't say for sure what was causing the problem, but they do run a pressure test on the system and it failed the Fuel Leak test according to my invoice. Last time they had it in they called it an "evap test" I think - it passed that and they couldn't recreate the fuel smell I had.

For the record - give this a try. Fill up your gas tank. Park overnight. See if there is a strong fuel smell around your vehicle in the morning. (there shouldn't be, but there was for me)

I drove with that warning for 3 weeks until we could arrange an appointment. Everything worked great, no problems, gas mileage was great...I'd wait for your next service call if I had the drive you do, get a loaner, and leave it with them for the week.

It was a pain in the ass, though. I've had my car in for a week every month this summer...
JUNE: 22.5K service and some random issues and TSBs
JULY: Tire allignment, fuel smell, and the related tire wear they didn't catch in the June visit
AUGUST: - back for the above mentioned Fuel smell & warning problem.
SEPTEMBER: - ? well...at this rate I'll be back in for the 30K checkup....

...I'm getting tired of going to the dealership.

 

[trm2]

Filling my gas tank this summer in Canada, some gizmo on the gas pump caught that little flap inside the filler tube. The flap bent (and later tore off). LR said it wasn't dangerous but that gas evaporation was not fully sealed. Took them a couple days to fix it. This might be the issue.

 

[zdas04]

What irritated me about this is that I've never had a fuel smell in or around the vehicle, even before the recall. I think I replaced a non-problem with an annoyence.

I filled the tank yesterday, and today the message still comes on every time. I tripped the little flappy thing and pulled it gently towards me and it looks like it is pretty normal. Still the message.

David