Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    tstokes's Avatar
    tstokes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 1, 2008, 06:04 PM
    Would my car not start from leaving my gas cap off?
    Before my 1990 honda civic stopped running I took the gas cap off to use on another car temporarly (Its a long story). Before I removed that gas cap it was working fine I think I left it off for about a week before putting it back on. It wouldn't start the next time I tried to drive it. Does anyone think this is the reason it won't start?
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 1, 2008, 06:11 PM
    Has there been a lot of dampness? humidity? rain?
    Does it try to start or is it like you might as well not even be turning the key (no sound whatsoever)?
    s_cianci's Avatar
    s_cianci Posts: 5,472, Reputation: 760
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Mar 1, 2008, 06:21 PM
    It could be. Gasoline is extremely volatile so the gas in your tank may have literally evaporated away since you didn't have a gas cap on it. You may have in fact be trying to start a car with an empty gas tank.
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Mar 1, 2008, 06:23 PM
    Yeah good question how much gas and what was the weather like?

    I have gone months without a gas cap and no problem.
    But it should still crank and sound like it isn't getting gas if it is the gas
    If it is doing nothing then it is more likely a dead battery or something.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Mar 1, 2008, 06:26 PM
    Quality of the gas possibly deteriorated too much. Run through the tests, in Sections A and B of the "Sticky," just the same.
    tstokes's Avatar
    tstokes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Mar 1, 2008, 07:45 PM
    I took the gas cap off for about a week and I didn't ever drive it with the cap off. I live in Ohio so its been below freezing most of the time. The car cranks but won't start.

    Txgreasemonkey, what did you mean by running through sections a and b of the sticky?
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
    Uber Member
    		  
    #7

    Mar 1, 2008, 07:52 PM
    He meant A. & B. on here

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...das-46563.html

    You could have condensation/water in the tank.
    You might try buying dry gas at Pep Boys or somewhere and follow the instructions.
    How much gas is in the tank?
    tstokes's Avatar
    tstokes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Mar 1, 2008, 08:27 PM
    My tank is little less than half full. I got spark, sprayed starting fluid into my intake and didn't get a start.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #9

    Mar 2, 2008, 07:31 AM
    If starting fluid didn't get it firing, it may be an ignition problem. Fuel may be OK.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Car driven without oil cap on [ 8 Answers ]

My son forgot to put the oil cap on my 93 Toyota Celica, and I drove it to work and back (approx 20 miles) before it belched up all the oil. New oil put in, car is holding oil for past 2 days without being driven. Will it be okay to drive and check oil frequently?

Car won't start after running out of gas [ 2 Answers ]

My 99 honda passport's fuel gauge doesn't work but I am assuming I ran out of gas at the bottom of a steep hill. It was running fine until I started up the hill and then it ran out of power. I put 2 gallons of gas in it and it wouldn't start. We added 4 gallons more and it still wouldn't start. ...

Searching for nissan altima 2000 model car gas cap [ 1 Answers ]

Hi, I have lost my Nissan Altima 2000 gas cap and because of that I am getting "Service engine soon" light on. So please guide me a site/store where can I get the cap in less cost. Thanks

Car start only with gas peddle pressed, Why? [ 4 Answers ]

I've been having trouble with my car (honda civic) and the only way I could get my car to start is by pressing on the gas all the way down. Why won't my car start w/o doing that?

Gas cap release [ 3 Answers ]

The gas cap release lever on my 2003 Honda Accord has stopped working. Periodically it will not release but does eventually release. This time it will not release and I am about out of gas! Does anyone know what is wrong or how to get the latch to release?

View more questions Search