I'm getting tired of loose cap warnings on my dash after some fill ups, and occasionally randomly. I know it could be a number of issues, but the first thing I will do is replace the fuel cap, which is original. Should I buy an aftermarket, which is $12-$17, depending on whether it is tethered, or go for an Acura/Honda genuine replacement, which is $34? If I get the tethered one, how on earth do I secure the tether without having to remove the wheel well liner?
Fuel Cap Warning Light on Acura TL (2012)
- Thread starter PeterGreen
- Start date
My advice would be to by the genuine replacement. That way if you need further diagnosis if the problem persists, you will be able to rule that part out. Chances are if that does not fix it you will have to start looking further into the evap system.
Before replacing the gas cap make sure your tightening it all the way. Some require a certain number of clicks. Remove the o-ring....clean and lubricate it with dielectric grease or vaseline and clean the gas cap . Also clean around the filler neck with WD-40. Hope this helps
There is nothing magical happening with a fuel cap-- which is why I would go with the cheapest part and feel confident ruling that out. If a chinese clone is broken out of the box, attribute that to bad luck, not that you didn't spend enough money.
Personally, I'd cut the tether off and leave it be. I'd rather store my cap during fill-ups on the top of the roof, than leave it dangling against the side of the body panel. I can't count how many used vehicles I've looked at, where you can see the paint scrapes where the cap was dropped against. My wife is a prime example, she just takes the cap off and drops it against the paint, dangling against that tether. I'm not a fan. I don't have that many things going on (i.e. cellphone) when I fill up that I can't remember to put the fuel cap back on.
Personally, I'd cut the tether off and leave it be. I'd rather store my cap during fill-ups on the top of the roof, than leave it dangling against the side of the body panel. I can't count how many used vehicles I've looked at, where you can see the paint scrapes where the cap was dropped against. My wife is a prime example, she just takes the cap off and drops it against the paint, dangling against that tether. I'm not a fan. I don't have that many things going on (i.e. cellphone) when I fill up that I can't remember to put the fuel cap back on.
Also, and I know yours is a different generation than mine, don't be surprised if it is the purge control solenoid. It was a very common problem in my generation and I wouldn't be surprised if Honda didn't bother to change that system over the years.
I've checked an Acura owners forum for information and only found a thread about the previous generation of TLs which might/ might not apply to mine with similar issues that you reference. But most of the posts said that they often cured the problem just by changing the cap.
Kokopelli34179
$50 site donor 2022
I broke my car's cap the other day. Apparently, I clicked it too many times and the top part came off, with the spring, and the part that ratchets; the remaining part that screws into the filler tube stayed in there. I cobbled it back together as best I could and drove back home.
I removed the cap and put it back on several times while the car was stationary in the drive, and it seemed to be okay, but apparently it wouldn't hold, because as I was driving the other day, the Loose Fuel Cap light came on. I don't know how it became unscrewed, but it did.
Anyway, I went to AutoZone and picked up the Duralast untethered fuel cap for $13.99+tax, and so far so good. It has a 1 year warranty, which is always good. It appears to be just as good as OE, and is certainly better than the 10+ year old factory original it replaced.
While OE would be preferred, I have never had any issues with aftermarket fuel caps.
I removed the cap and put it back on several times while the car was stationary in the drive, and it seemed to be okay, but apparently it wouldn't hold, because as I was driving the other day, the Loose Fuel Cap light came on. I don't know how it became unscrewed, but it did.
Anyway, I went to AutoZone and picked up the Duralast untethered fuel cap for $13.99+tax, and so far so good. It has a 1 year warranty, which is always good. It appears to be just as good as OE, and is certainly better than the 10+ year old factory original it replaced.
While OE would be preferred, I have never had any issues with aftermarket fuel caps.
Spoiler alert; bought a Hecho in Mexico cap at Advance Auto without tether. Thanks for all the inputs. Will post here results
The Rest of the Story....
after about a month the tighten gas cap light kept coming on, then I started getting an emissions system warning light. Brought it to an indie because I'm too busy to do it myself. Indie fixed the purge canister solenoid and also recommended using a genuine Honda gas cap, which he said makes a better seal than the one I bought at AA.
after about a month the tighten gas cap light kept coming on, then I started getting an emissions system warning light. Brought it to an indie because I'm too busy to do it myself. Indie fixed the purge canister solenoid and also recommended using a genuine Honda gas cap, which he said makes a better seal than the one I bought at AA.
So the purge solenoid was still a problem with the 4th gen as well. Wouldn't be surprised if it is the same part as the 3rd gen.