Evap not ready... possible bad gas cap

[YBABRAT]

Not that the seal is bad, but I found the original cap not as strong as the new Mopar locking cap. Also the old cap states turn til click. Reminds me of the Honda issue with Evap. The service rep told me to keep turning to 3 clicks. Solved that issue back in 2011. I notice the new cap states to turn to 3 clicks. Don't matter with old... I do that already and it's showing that it's not enough. So now I know... soft and easy clicking of gas cap is bad. Tight and loud is good.

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[Flip]

I haven't had any issues yet but I have noticed my gas cap seems very easy to turn even when it's clicking. Hmm

 

[alphawolff]

To test your gas cap tighten it until it clicks then attempt to back it off. If it pops off instantly it is bad. A working cap will have a decent amount of counter spin before it pops off. You should test it multiple times, as it could take a few tries if it's only sorta bad. When it's in that "cocked" state where a counter clockwise turn instantly pops it off it'll leak.

Note this is just to test the tightening mechanism, not the seal itself. Usually this is what actually fails on our gas caps rather than a leaking o-ring. I actually replace quite a lot of them, especially on the ageing JKs

 

[roaniecowpony]

Buy a new seal on Amazon.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I also found out that pulling out on the cap while tightening it allowed my to tighten it more.

 

[YBABRAT]

To test your gas cap tighten it until it clicks then attempt to back it off. If it pops off instantly it is bad. A working cap will have a decent amount of counter spin before it pops off. You should test it multiple times, as it could take a few tries if it's only sorta bad. When it's in that "cocked" state where a counter clockwise turn instantly pops it off it'll leak.

Note this is just to test the tightening mechanism, not the seal itself. Usually this is what actually fails on our gas caps rather than a leaking o-ring. I actually replace quite a lot of them, especially on the ageing JKs

Yes, that is a good test. I had been doing the 3 clicks to counter the random evap not ready. The o ring was cleaned and undamaged. Seems that the locking gas cap uses a black full rounded sides o ring. Made in 2022. While my original uses a red proved side o ring to squish. I assume not a full or complete tightening does not squish well with early o ring. The new cap is the only fix this time.

If it were not for wanting a locking gad cap... I would go for a 2008 on up Honda one. Those have hreat long term function and seem to have the same fitment. Just they don't offer a locking type.

 

[YBABRAT]

I haven't had any issues yet but I have noticed my gas cap seems very easy to turn even when it's clicking. Hmm

I really did not see any issues myself. Just running a DTC check and readiness. Found evsp not ready. After a few tightening and checks, I got tired of the random evap not ready, while doing what I could to correct. At first I thought a leak along the evap line. Then I played around with the cap and fell back on Honda with comparing click tightening feel. Yes very easy to uncork after 3 clicks.

 

[roaniecowpony]

In my routine of tightening the cap I don't use the clicks. I just tighten to just before it clicks. The torque capability of the cap is as good as new.

 

[Flip]

I really did not see any issues myself. Just running a DTC check and readiness. Found evsp not ready. After a few tightening and checks, I got tired of the random evap not ready, while doing what I could to correct. At first I thought a leak along the evap line. Then I played around with the cap and fell back on Honda with comparing click tightening feel. Yes very easy to uncork after 3 clicks.

I'll plug in my scanner and see if a code surfaces.

 

[YBABRAT]

I'll plug in my scanner and see if a code surfaces.

Yep, if you suspect a soft seal with turning to uncap, it's probablt time to get a new cap.

 

[YBABRAT]

In my routine of tightening the cap I don't use the clicks. I just tighten to just before it clicks. The torque capability of the cap is as good as new.

My assumption about clicks is two fold. One to keep from damaging o ring by over-tightening. Second the impact wrench action with preset torque. No guess work. If it works for you, I can't say one way another.

 

[roaniecowpony]

My assumption about clicks is two fold. One to keep from damaging o ring by over-tightening. Second the impact wrench action with preset torque. No guess work. If it works for you, I can't say one way another.

I had my wrist calibrated for torque.

 

[YBABRAT]

I had my wrist calibrated for torque.

Ha! Sounds like my cousin. He had an oddly shaped wrench for his custom lifted truck. 3 full frames welded together to abide by laws. Something about frame to ground limits. Well anyway he said to me... that wrench barely made 200 ft lbs torque. As if he bent it by hand. He had abilities but this one was done at a shop. Ha!

His wrist had been separated at one time from a motorcycle accident. This was later after recovery. He would joke he has a bionic arm and wrist. Ha!

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Not that the seal is bad, but I found the original cap not as strong as the new Mopar locking cap. Also the old cap states turn til click. Reminds me of the Honda issue with Evap. The service rep told me to keep turning to 3 clicks. Solved that issue back in 2011. I notice the new cap states to turn to 3 clicks. Don't matter with old... I do that already and it's showing that it's not enough. So now I know... soft and easy clicking of gas cap is bad. Tight and loud is good.

Something you should be doing, especially if you're not: every oil change, clean off the fuel cap and put a little bit of oil on the rubber ring.

I started doing this years ago with my old Toyota Camry. Always had that problem with the gas cap not sealing, and the second I started doing this, never had a problem since!

It's a good idea to keep all of your gaskets properly lubed up. Regular maintenance can fix a lot of issues, especially on typically dry moving parts.

 

[YBABRAT]

Something you should be doing, especially if you're not: every oil change, clean off the fuel cap and put a little bit of oil on the rubber ring.

I started doing this years ago with my old Toyota Camry. Always had that problem with the gas cap not sealing, and the second I started doing this, never had a problem since!

It's a good idea to keep all of your gaskets properly lubed up. Regular maintenance can fix a lot of issues, especially on typically dry moving parts.

I did do enough checking, cleaning and eventually found with all my care with the cap, nothing could be done to tighten up the loose play within the mechanism. If it were not for new to used feel when clicking and o ring style, I would have thought it was a leak in the evap line. I'll dig up my old cap from the rubbish I plan to leave for pick up. Once I retrieve it, I'll post a picture of the o ring style from a 2019 cap. It's different than the 2022. Also thinking Mopar may have updated the gas cap sometime after 2019, knowing of evap issues. After all my original never stated to click 3 times... Only once.

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