4 Common Toyota RAV4 Gas Cap Problems (incl. Solution)

A loose gas cap in your RAV4 can happen to everyone, and it does, at least once.

Numerous things can happen if you don’t check your gas cap, and they can be pretty annoying and cause more severe problems down the road.

In this article, find out the symptoms of a loose gas cap on your RAV4, what you can do about them & more!

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What Problems In Your RAV4 Can a Faulty Gas Cap Cause?

4 Common Toyota RAV4 Gas Cap Problems (incl. Solution)

A loose gas cap is a pain, yes, however, it won’t have much of an immediate impact on your car.

The most it could do is turn on the check engine light.

But what if you ignore the issue for too long?

In that instance, your car will start releasing gas vapors that could damage the emissions system, harm the environment, and impact your car’s fuel efficiency.

We will talk about the symptoms below that you will experience if your gas cap is loose on your RAV4.

Over time, this may result in the engine misfiring, stalling, or even having a rough idle.

Therefore, always thoroughly tighten your gas cap and swap out a faulty gas cap ASAP.

Symptoms Of A Broken Gas Cap In Your RAV4

Here are four symptoms of a faulty gas cap, or simply a gas cap that will cause further problems. 

Keep reading to find out what the problem looks like and further below find out what you can do to fix it.

#1: Physically Opened Gas Cap

A loose gas cap or one that won’t fully tighten will be the first sign of a problem with the gas caps – of course. 

This might not seem important initially, but dirt and grime can get into the fuel system if it’s not entirely sealed.

Check the seal to ensure it is not brittle or missing if your gas cap is not properly sealing.

#2: Smell Of The Fuel Coming From The Outside Of Your RAV4

Fuel vapors may escape from a car due to a damaged gas cap that cannot properly seal the tank. Gas will start to smell around the vehicle’s exterior and occasionally inside.

Numerous additional (and graver) causes for the fuel vapors coming from your car’s fuel distribution system. However, your loose gas cap should be the first thing you have to check.

#3: Your RAV4 Check Engine Light Is On

Your car’s fuel system may occasionally have issues due to a faulty gas cap.

Modern automobiles, such as RAV4, have a complex, high-pressure fuel delivery system that extends from the gas cap to the fuel injectors.

The check engine light will blink on the dashboard, and engine performance issues will result from any problems with the fuel system.

A faulty gas cap may let debris into the gas tank, which will then contaminate the gasoline. Of course, that will lead to the impairment of the vehicle’s performance.

If it occurs frequently, it may result in a faulty fuel filter and harm the fuel injectors.

Will Replacing The Gas Cap Turn Off Check Engine Light In Your RAV4?

When it comes to a check engine light, and you think that the problem is in the loose gas cap, do this:

It is advisable to look for any tears or cracks on the gas cap that could result in an engine check light. Check both the gas cap and the tube.

Once you hear the gas cap click, tighten it with your hand. The cap has to be changed if it clicks into place but remains loose afterward.

If a loose gas cap brings the check engine light on, it should turn off within a few minutes of driving after you secure it with your hand.

After all of it, take a look or two at your dashboard console. 

However, if your check engine light continues to come on even after securing the loose gas cap, unfortunately, your gas cap is simply too loose and the only fix is to replace it. 

After replacing it, your check engine light should turn off.

#4: A Bad Fuel Economy Of Your RAV4

A faulty gas cap might cause poor fuel economy.

Gasoline can become polluted and, in certain situations, can evaporate from the tank if the gas cap is not properly sealing the fuel tank.

Newer vehicles typically don’t have an issue with fuel escaping from the tank because those tanks are equipped with one-way devices that stop fuel and fuel vapors from running through a loose gas cap.

The fuel will vanish from the tank if the fuel is allowed to escape as vapor, resulting in inferior fuel economy.

If you ask “how can I fix a gas cap” when it comes to a bad fuel economy, you simply have to tighten it or replace it. The same goes for the check engine light caused by a loose gas cap in your RAV4. 

That’s it! Those are the most common symptoms of having a loose gas cap in your RAV4. Check your gas cap first after experiencing similar problems since it’s the most common root, and the most solvable thing! 

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Psst: Do You Know The RAV4 Hidden Menu?