Is it bad to drive around without a gas cap ?

Question

I lost my gas cap 2 weeks ago and have been driving without it. There is a metal seal , it keeps the gas in .Would driving without a gas cap cause problems like the check engine light to come on and a weird burning smell? ( I smell something burning but temp gage is normal.)

Answer 1

yeah its pretty bad because your gas cap hold pressure in the gas tank if you ride with out one it will trigger a check engine light an will probly cause your car to run rich, to compensate for the lack of pressure so ultimatly youll be dumping more fuel into your engine. the weird burning smell might be something else.

Answer 2

Yes, driving around without a gas cap is bad. Not only can it cause your check engine light to come on, but it doesn't allow your gas tank to hold pressure. This is bad because your tank becomes pressurized when you drive allowing the fuel pump to pump a continuous stream of gas to your engine. Without the right amount of pressure in the tank this can cause problems with the gas/air mixture entering the engine and cause sensors to send a message to your computer which in turn can cause your check engine light to come on.

You should not be able to smell anything burning because of the lack of the gas cap, but again, if your gas/air mixture is off it can cause engine problems...not temperature problems...that's your radiator. You can buy a new cap from any motor parts store worth going into. They're cheap. Much cheaper than a new engine or car.

Answer 3

It could in later model cars, cause the check engine light to come on. This is due to the cap being used to keep pressure on in the gas tank. As to the burning smell this would be caused by someone throwing a match at your open gas tank, and the fumes burning.

Answer 4

Yes it is.
Not only your gas is evaporating to the atmosphere, and the vapors could accumulate if you are in a closed environment like your garage, but the fuel system of the modern vehicles use a closed circuit that recirculates the fuel and the vapors between your injection system and the tank. The Lack of cap can trigger the engine light and prevent proper fuel metering at the engine.

Answer 5

Easy fix - Go to your local auto parts shop and ask the guy at the counter for a gas cap for your car. It's only a few bucks.

Answer 6

some cars ,the check engine light will come on if the cap isnt on,and besides the cap keeps pressure in your tank.

Answer 7

Yes it is bad and dangerous...Fumes will escape and will create a hazard...and you are wasting gas too. When your car is moving, without a cap, a vacuum is created and therefore you are losing gas...At least put a rag in there as a cap...

Answer 8

It would probably cause your check engine light to come on but I don't think it would cause the burning smell.

Answer 9

you need to get a cap, with no cap your tank is getting to much air probably casuing it to run to lean, and a RAG is a bad idea since people could light it and u may know what happens next.

Answer 10

Won't hurt the tires but you need to replace it so that it will keep the end of the stem clear so you can put more air in your tires later if needed again.