Since I just moved to NJ, I had to get my car inspected here. My car failed inspection due to a "bad gas cap". As far as I can tell, the gas cap looks fine.

Has anyone else had this and did you just replace it? It seems that would be the easiest fix, but it doesn't make sense to me that the gas cap is bad.

Anyone else had the same entertainment from their local DMV?

How was this gas cap determined to be defective? I just went for my pollution test this morning and all they did was connect to the ODB connector and check for errors.

If you didn't have a check engine light (CEL), then it may have been a pending code that was about to throw a CEL. In PA all vehicles from 1997 on no longer have active pollution checks (running on dyno with exhaust sampling), instead they check the OBD-II or CAN for codes that indicate malfunctioning pollution control systems. The CEL for gas cap P0442 would indicate that either the cap wasn't on properly or otherwise fails to seal, there was a TSB for gas caps on the RX-8. I had mine replaced due to frequent CEL under warranty. You can't tell just by looking at the cap. Best bet, get a new cap at PepBoys for about $15 and take it back in for inspection after a week of driving to ensure that the code is cleared. If you clear the ECU yourself, you still won't pass because you need a drive cycle showing in the ECU when they check it again. Hope this helps.

cap probably just wasn't on all the way. Take it off, put it back on, then try again.

take it to the dealer. I had a CEL come on about my gas cap and they replaced it under warranty.

In New Jersey they remove the cap and stick it on some hose that checks to see if any gas vapors leak. I had that happen on my F-150. If you don't wish to deal with the dealer the cap cost less than $15.00 at most auto parts stores Stant part#10838

It's a rule that was created because a defective gas cap releases insane amounts of toxic fumes into the air and heats the planet up. Glaciers and the polar ice caps melt. Ocean levels rise and civilization as we know it goes extinct which in the end makes the environmentalists happy (assuming any of them lived) as everything will reach equilibrium again in a few centuries but humans won't be around to mess things up. All because your gas cap didn't seal properly. Get that thing fixed!

It's a rule that was created because a defective gas cap releases insane amounts of toxic fumes into the air and heats the planet up. Glaciers and the polar ice caps melt. Ocean levels rise and civilization as we know it goes extinct which in the end makes the environmentalists happy (assuming any of them lived) as everything will reach equilibrium again in a few centuries but humans won't be around to mess things up. All because your gas cap didn't seal properly. Get that thing fixed!
Hey, the east & west coasts will flood and we, in the upper midwest. will be sitting high and dry. :)

When do I get beach front property in this deal?

i got a CEL a month of so ago because my gas cap wasn't sealing (cleared the CEL, tightened the cap... and it came back)...

see Tommy at Roesenthal for a replacement

my dealer replaced mine under warantee and cleared the code

It's a rule that was created because a defective gas cap releases insane amounts of toxic fumes into the air and heats the planet up. Glaciers and the polar ice caps melt. Ocean levels rise and civilization as we know it goes extinct which in the end makes the environmentalists happy (assuming any of them lived) as everything will reach equilibrium again in a few centuries but humans won't be around to mess things up. All because your gas cap didn't seal properly. Get that thing fixed!

That's good. I like that reply.

By the way the sky is falling.

By the way the sky is falling.

If it lands in the ocean, that will raise the water level even more.

I'll just buy a new cap. I'm sure that it's nothing major, but I never got a code on the car.

NJ DMV screwing me again.


Thanks.

:banghead: well i had a cell three times for a very small evap leak.(was not inspected at the time)and i thought it was my vac.lines to the gauge inside the car(it was not!)had it traced to the gas cap which failed the emiission test 3 out of five times tested(i work at a dealer and my inspector is the best won't charge me!!)took it to mazda and it failed 4 out of five trys and they replaced it for free under wro. go get your free cap and save your money for the good ole gas game coming to a station near you soon!!:Eyecrazy:

There is a TSB that replaces the gas cap for free...

There is a TSB that replaces the gas cap for free...

if your car is under warranty...

i didn't even bother because my car is out of warranty, and even if it wasn't by the time i spent making an appointment and then dropping the car off and either waiting for it or bothering someone for a ride to and from the dealer.... - its worth the <$20 to just do it yourself... :eyetwitch

if your car is under warranty...

i didn't even bother because my car is out of warranty, and even if it wasn't by the time i spent making an appointment and then dropping the car off and either waiting for it or bothering someone for a ride to and from the dealer.... - its worth the <$20 to just do it yourself... :eyetwitch

At most a 15 minute swap at the dealer... if you don't have a CEL on. They called me and did mine free of charge and finished before I got through the first magazine.

if your car is under warranty...

i didn't even bother because my car is out of warranty, and even if it wasn't by the time i spent making an appointment and then dropping the car off and either waiting for it or bothering someone for a ride to and from the dealer.... - its worth the <$20 to just do it yourself... :eyetwitch

You're still probably under emissions warranty which should cover this. Took less than 15 min for mine to be replaced too.