Need right gas cap for 2006 Avalon XL???

[tashidad]

This Avalon was built in KY in 11/2005 and I purchased new in 12/2005. The original gas cap failed recently and I began getting 'check engine' light coming on. Re-seating the cap was only a temporary fix and then the 'check engine' light would come back on. I know that I can turn off the 'check engine' light by disconnecting the neg. terminal and reconnecting....so I did that while placing an order for what appeared to be the right replacement cap. It was listed as OES and Mfr # was W0133-1773050. This cap had the clip-in tether (attaches to fuel tank door) like my original one did so I thought I'd fixed the problem....NO SUCH LUCK.

Over the past month I've had no fewer than half dozen 'check engine' light situations that are due to this gas cap. Every time it occurs I disconnect the battery neg. terminal, check the cap to be sure it is tight and then reconnect the terminal. This works for 2-5 days and then I get a repeat.

I'm looking for the right gas cap with the clip-in tether. Any help out there would be appreciated greatly....this is a pain in the butt. If you want to send private email the addy is snyderab@prodigy.net.

thanks.

[arabianobsession]

Where did you order your cap from?

[tashidad]

I ordered the replacement gas cap from www..com and it was described as 2006-2008 Avalon gas cap with tether (like my original) and indicated it was OES with the part number W01133-1773050 like I stated in earlier post. It appeared to fit OK but it didn't squawk several times like the original...it only squawked once and then it was problematic getting it to loosen up.

[arabianobsession]

I hate to say it but check out the dealer and see what they would charge. I bought an aftermarket gas cap for a Sunfire convertible I had and it still cost me like $30.....also, there's someone on here that goes by the name "Toyotapartsman" and he can get you a deal on an OEM cap

[tashidad]

If you follow the thread I started you should be able to see all the info I posted regarding the gas cap dilemma.

If you're out there please advise whether the unit I currently have--described in the first post---is the right one or spec the one I need and let me know how to get and cost.

thanks,

[csaxon]

Get your CEL scanned and get the trouble code. The gas cap may not be the problem.

[tashidad]

Here's the thing. I have had no problems for at least 2-3 days now after reseating the gas cap and getting rid of the 'check engine' light by disconnecting the battery - terminal and reconnecting.

I'm not sure what the CEL is--enlighten me. But if it's the machine that does the diagnostic work it's going to cost me $50-$80 to get the code that says "your f'king gas cap is defective.

I know the original gas cap was bad because it wouldn't hold a seal even with the squawking.

[Tom in Tacoma]

CEL = Check Engine Light (that thingy on your dashboard display).

Try going to a chain auto parts store. They'll often pull the diagnostic codes for free. It'd be a good way to validate that the problem is, indeed, the gas cap (I agree with csaxon that the gas cap may not be the only problem).

[saabdriver59]

What you may not be hearing from others is - there is no "replace the f'ing gas cap code." If the code is a major evap code, it does not "specfically" say it's the gas cap... only that you are loosing pressure in your tank. By resetting it you're loosing the history which could be valuable if you had a shop pull them. Codes are for diagnostics, and only give clues to the technicians. Yeah, the cap is the first place the shops look. And yes, sometimes that's it. Sometimes it's somewhere else.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by saabdriver59

What you may not be hearing from others is - there is no "replace the f'ing gas cap code." If the code is a major evap code, it does not "specfically" say it's the gas cap... only that you are loosing pressure in your tank. By resetting it you're loosing the history which could be valuable if you had a shop pull them. Codes are for diagnostics, and only give clues to the technicians. Yeah, the cap is the first place the shops look. And yes, sometimes that's it. Sometimes it's somewhere else.

Excellent point!

[arabianobsession]

True, but even if you reset it, it sounds like it keeps coming back. Our 2000 Maxima has been having the same CEL pop on every couple weeks or so. Except our issue is probably the MAF.....
Anyway, this sounds like a situation that isn't going to resolve itself, so next time it pops on head to your nearest parts store.

[tashidad]

Thanks to all the folks that have responded to this thread. I will pursue going to a chain auto parts store the next time my CEL comes on and stays on. Since the last time I reset it and re-seated the gas cap it's been about 5 days. The randomness of this occurrence is perplexing to say the least.
I just don't want to pay $50-$100 for a diagnostic that's most likely going to confirm what I already suspect. Hopefully the chain auto parts store can do the diag. for a lot less. I will advise when I find out something definitive.

thanks again.

[boosted-fc3s]

All the chain stores around here pull codes for free. Its all in hopes they sell a part to fix your problem.

[tashidad]

Thanks boosted....

I'll contact these folks the next time my CEL goes off. 5 days and counting that nothing has happened.

[tashidad]

I took the Avalon to one of the chainstores and they brought up 2 codes...a 441 and 455....indicating an evap problem (significant). I took the car to my local Toyota dealer and they did the diagnostic and then a pressure check and lo and behold it was the "new" gas cap. Replaced it with the Toyota cap and repressured it and it held with no problem. The Toyota cap was a different design vs. the one I got on the web. Still cost me $100+ to get this done. BOO!

thanks for all the advice though...it was a good learning process.