help i lost my fuel cap!

[Rob77]

I'm typing this for Rob who is on the M6 just now. Went to ASDA and filled up and left the fuel cap on top of the pump and drove away. I'm hoping I'll be able to pick it up on monday but if no one hands it in I've lost it. Anyone have any ideas what to use as a temporary cover till monday or doesn't it matter?

Thanks

 

[kth286]

For next time check if there is a fitting inside the flap to hold the cap whenever filling up.

I thought ALL Mercs had them.

Most dealers are open Saturday am for parts.

 

[jadefox]

Mine has this little tag on it, which is so handy because I would do just as you have done and lose the darn thing.

Poor you - hope someone finds it and hands it in!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you matey.

 

[DansSlk]

Give the dealer a bell in the morning but they might not have the cap in stock.

I wouldn't drive around without the cap to be honest with you but if you want to seal the opening (keep water out or whatever) then any sort of plastic even just from a shopping bag placed over the neck and well taped around the lip will do that job but thats just for storage not driving.

 

[television]

Just as a point of interest you cant buy the cap tie,as they only come with the cap, they are easy to make though

 

[c240yaz]

Use a freezer bag and an elastic band round the filler neck of the tank.. No known problems will occur,

.....but put a stab whole in the bag just in case, to prevent a vacuum effect.

 

[ibrar]

Make sure you buy a cap before your car is due for an MOT. Otherwise it will fail

 

[Shude]

.....but put a stab whole in the bag just in case, to prevent a vacuum effect.

VERY useful advice!

Without ventilation you can damage parts of the fuel system and cause the car to behave like it's being starved of fuel, because it is!

A friend of my Father's accidently got the oil cap and fuel cap swapped on his motorbike, they looked the same but the fuel cap was vented. His bike stalled every 10 minutes until he worked out what he had done!

 

[television]

Modern cars return 75% of the fuel back to the tank that are pressurised, you can here it when you remove the cap

 

[Dragon]

I thought all Merc cars are pressurised in order to deliver the fuel from the tank to the engine or else it starved of fuel and jutter. No experience, pls tell me more.

 

[Dragon]

Look at this greed. Do you know him? He even spilled our precious resources on the floor.

(Sorry in the wrong thread, it should be in the petrol shortage thread)

 

[television]

I thought all Merc cars are pressurised in order to deliver the fuel from the tank to the engine or else it starved of fuel and jutter. No experience, pls tell me more.

Correct it is a finely tuned system and the vacuum is an important part of the running. A plastic bag cover would soon get sucked in if it was sealed.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50013&highlight=fuel+cap

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Look at this greed.

He'll feel smug until he remembers that he has a diesel

 

[television]

I have done the mod on the cap and I just have to bolt it to the car

 

[Rob77]

Hi, thanks everyone. When I approached Edinbugh,, someone even came alongside (at lights) to say petrol was sloshing out the back so I need to do something.

After the long drive and with the fuel problems up here just now, I can't do another 50 mile round trip to a dealers so it's a temporary fix until I can get back to the NW tomorow night / Monday.

I'll give the taped on plastic bag a go, with a hole in it. Won't the petrol react with the bag and cause more problems though?

 

[television]

Hi, thanks everyone. When I approached Edinbugh,, someone even came alongside (at lights) to say petrol was sloshing out the back so I need to do something.

After the long drive and with the fuel problems up here just now, I can't do another 50 mile round trip to a dealers so it's a temporary fix until I can get back to the NW tomorow night / Monday.

I'll give the taped on plastic bag a go, with a hole in it. Won't the petrol react with the bag and cause more problems though?

Hi Rob A lid from a 100gram nescafe coffee jar fits tightly on to the filler,, do not make a hole in it and petrol will not affect it

 

[DansSlk]

Yeah if you actually plan on driving the car like this then you need to use something like Malcolm posted up that the system will not be able suck in or blow away so really secure it well.

 

[Rob77]

Now that's a good idea. I don't have a lid like that here though - how about some tin foil tied on?

 

[television]

Now that's a good idea. I don't have a lid like that here though - how about some tin foil tied on?

Foil will tear and get sucked in. Buy a jar of Cap Columbo coffee

 

[Stratman]

Motor accessory shops sell temporary filler caps for just this event. They push in to the filler orifice and are designed for the job.