Gas cap really different?

[ipmcc]

So a few days ago, my 2008.5 MS3 gas cap got cross-threaded and the handle broke off trying to get it out. I was, of course, running on fumes by this point and miles from home, so the only option was to cut it out with snippers, fill the tank half way and move on. Now, obviously this is my fault, and I don't expect it to be covered as warranty service, but...

My local dealer told me that the MazdaSPEED3 has a "totally different" gas cap than the standard Mazda3 models, and that the "special" gas cap for the MS3 is US$67. This seems totally outrageous to me.

Can anyone here confirm or deny the "fact" that they're different? Or perhaps share what they paid for a replacement gas cap? Any thoughts or recommendations? Obviously the CEL is on at this point, so I'm planning to head out there this afternoon, but figured I'd ask.

Thanks.
Jour

 

[Hank3]

You are not the first to experience gas cap issues. There have been multiple members who have had to hack off their gas caps because it crossthreaded or just wouldn't unscrew. I think some even reported that the gas caps are faulty and there are new ones circulating around.

Check this thread.

 

[coololddude]

if the gas cap does not fit right you will have cel issues. you could try a stang cap for the MS3. if any other cap would work it would be that one.

 

[paylew]

I had that problem the first time I filled up when I bought the car, I called the sales guy and he got a new one for me, but I'm sure not everyone is that lucky.

 

[pup73]

oddly enough, my 2008.5 ms3 came w/an extra gas cap (it was sitting in the trunk/hatch area). that one is all black in color. i went to fill up yesterday, and the one attached to the tank is white, w/that little plastic piece that keeps it attached to the tank. THAT cap is difficult to unscrew...maybe i'll try the other one.

-c

 

[Tsquad]

i switched from mazda 3 to speed 3 and i couldent figure out how to get my gas cap off for the longest time. The difference is, on the 3, you push down and turn and it will pop up, but the speed3 cap you dont push down, you just turn and then pull up. so they are different.

 

[BillTheCat]

I accidentally ran my MS3 down to about 1 gallon of fuel left the other day. (I know, I know, I normally fill up at 1/4 tank) On that particular fillup, I almost couldn't get the cap off. I think it was just vapor locked, but I'm going to keep an eye on it & see if it develops issues.

 

[ipmcc]

Well, much to my surprise, when I got to the dealer on Friday, I explained what happened and they said that if I still had at least some of the parts from the old cap, that they would cover it under warranty. I didn't get any official confirmation that this is a well-known problem but they did not seem surprised in the least. Also, the new cap they put on is totally different from the old cap, so things appear to have worked out.

As for the "extra gas cap" you found in your trunk area, you may wish to double check. In MY case, the extra black plastic cap in the trunk area was actually an engine oil cap. I was told that it gets replaced at finish-time with the milled-metal MS cap, but that they throw the old one in the trunk.

Thanks all!

 

[Kain]

I accidentally ran my MS3 down to about 1 gallon of fuel left the other day. (I know, I know, I normally fill up at 1/4 tank) On that particular fillup, I almost couldn't get the cap off. I think it was just vapor locked, but I'm going to keep an eye on it & see if it develops issues.

I'm wondering if this is indeed the case. I always fill up between 1/4-1/3 tank, and my cap has always unscrewed easily. Are you guys tightening them beyond one click?

 

[MikeHTally]

I usually take mine down at least three clicks, but I don't count 'em. I jus' twist 'er down.

 

[Rotus8]

I have never had problems with my cap and I always fill when the gauge is below the E line - about 40 miles after the light comes on, sometimes more.

 

[builthatch]

I have never had problems with my cap and I always fill when the gauge is below the E line - about 40 miles after the light comes on, sometimes more.

lol

that might be why you are going 0 miles an hour in that pic ; X

 

[LuckyKelleyK]

I had problems with my cap at first. Now, I only tighten it about two clicks. Just make sure when you are unscrewing it, push in and twist slightly, then pull out. I think its similar to a child safety cap on a medicine bottle.

 

[BillTheCat]

I accidentally ran my MS3 down to about 1 gallon of fuel left the other day. (I know, I know, I normally fill up at 1/4 tank) On that particular fillup, I almost couldn't get the cap off. I think it was just vapor locked, but I'm going to keep an eye on it & see if it develops issues.

I'm wondering if this is indeed the case. I always fill up between 1/4-1/3 tank, and my cap has always unscrewed easily. Are you guys tightening them beyond one click?

I was WAY low. The Dashhawk had dropped to reading 5% fuel level & would not go lower. I drove 10-15 miles like that before I reached a gas station. Needle was well past "E." And I never tighten beyond one click. Scout's honor.

 

[TheMAN]

the dealer is full of s***... ALL of the 3s share the same gas cap... now there have been like 8 revisions on the gas cap so obviously they all won't look the same depending on the production date of the car... but I assure you they are all interchangeable... you can put an 04 gas cap on your ms3 or your ms3's in an 04... obviously this isn't advisable because the newer gas caps have lesser/different issues than the older ones

 

[Mocoso]

As for the "extra gas cap" you found in your trunk area, you may wish to double check. In MY case, the extra black plastic cap in the trunk area was actually an engine oil cap. I was told that it gets replaced at finish-time with the milled-metal MS cap, but that they throw the old one in the trunk.

Thanks all!

Damn it I got no stinking milled-metal MS cap just a stinking black plastic oil cap... @#$@#%@#$% oh well....

 

[Nspeed]

I had a problem with my cap as well. Just took the car in the other day for it. The service manager knew of the issue with the fuel caps so I was in and out of the service department in under 10 min. The cap does appear to be cut different than my original and is much easier to remove.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I've had issues with mine as well. Sometimes I'll go to unscrew it and it just gets stuck. I found the best way to deal with it is to screw it back in and try again. It usually works the second time.

 

[vinkalmann]

Well, much to my surprise, when I got to the dealer on Friday, I explained what happened and they said that if I still had at least some of the parts from the old cap, that they would cover it under warranty. I didn't get any official confirmation that this is a well-known problem but they did not seem surprised in the least. Also, the new cap they put on is totally different from the old cap, so things appear to have worked out.

As for the "extra gas cap" you found in your trunk area, you may wish to double check. In MY case, the extra black plastic cap in the trunk area was actually an engine oil cap. I was told that it gets replaced at finish-time with the milled-metal MS cap, but that they throw the old one in the trunk.

Thanks all!

LOL, I was wondering why there was a oil cap in my center console when I first got my car =).