How much damage will this cause?

[bax08]

I was putting some lucas oil gas treatment in my car this morning before I filled it up. I accidentially dropped the cap from the bottle into the gas tank. Right down the filler tube it went! It's from the 32 oz. bottle so it's a cone shape, not the round cap from the smaller bottles. Obviously my first thought and worry is that it's going to cause damage at some point. I know there is a screen in the tank preventing objects such as this from making its way to the engine. However, I'm more concerned about the cap slowly dissovling over time and doing its damage that way. Also, is it possible that it may block the fuel line somehow and prevent fuel from getting to the engine. Luckily I did this while I was at home (the gas station is not far away). Needless to say I took my wife's car to work today until I got some answers to this issue.Would like some opinions as to what you all would do.~Thanks

[chadhgraves]

Well you have three options. Option 1. - Do nothing, hope the filter/screen catches it, and nothing happens or affects your car's performance.Option 2. - Try to figure out a solution to get the cap out yourself. Drop the tank? Siphon out all the gas? Use a snake camera to see where it's at? I don't know.Option 3. - Take the car to a mechanic and tell them what happened. Prepare to pay for whatever solution they come up with. Pick your poison. I would do option 3, and at least see what they say. It will always be in the back of your mind if you just leave it in there.

[joatmon]

Access to the tank is from a port under the rear seat. You might be able to open that up (carefully, no spark!) and fish out the cap.I'd probably just ignore it and hope for the best

[bax08]

Did not know there was an access port to the gas tank under the rear seat. Any idea how big the port is? Would I be able to reach my hand in and fish around for it?

[jkm311]

This is starting to sound like Fear Factor.

[bax08]

After speaking with my mechanic and doing some research online (apparently this happens to people more than you think) it appears this is very unlikely to cause any damage and should be fine. I'm not normally one to let something like this go and it will probably be in the back of my mind for a little while, but in this case I'm going to leave well enough alone!

[circuitsmith]

Suppose you bought another bottle of the stuff and dropped the cap into a cup of gas to see if it dissolves.If it does dissolve I don't think it will do harm since plastic is made from petroleum and it's such a small amount: a few grams diluted in gallons of gasoline.

[chadhgraves]

I would do that. Put a new cap from a lucas oil bottle in a cup of gas and monitor it over time. See what effect it has on it. If it morphs into a gremlin, then kill it instantly.

[Salsa Guy]

Yea I doubt it will cause any serious issues. I will slow break down ove time. Now what I would do it is run the tank empty, open it and pull the cap out.

[KITT222]

Quote, originally posted by Salsa Guy »Yea I doubt it will cause any serious issues. I will slow break down ove time. Now what I would do it is run the tank empty, open it and pull the cap out.Same. I don't want non-gas things in my tank. You can just unbolt the rear seat bolts from the floor of the car, and tilt it up. There is an access hole in the floor. From there I cannot help you, but it should really be easy.

[dgekiere]

its right in the center of the 2 rear seats

[bax08]

The access hole in the center, is that where the fuel pump sits? If so, is it a pain to take out? Does it simply unbolt and pull right out?

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by jkm311 »This is starting to sound like Fear Factor. (removed)

[KNINE]

I wouldn't sweat it. I doubt that it will cause any harm.

[Kincaid]

The good news it that it is probably floating, so may be easy to fish out of there once you open up the access hole.

[joecoolinatl]

Honestly, it will probably dissolve. yall would freak if you knew how much random stuff falls into the tanks at gas stations when the drivers go to drop fuel in there. cell phones, pens, etc. it always dissolves.

[DraziWDragon]

the access port under the seat is where the fuel pump is, and is more than large enough to put your arm into. it does just unbolt, but its sealed by a tar like adhesive. you should be able to pull the plate off without having to cut the sealer adhesive. its pretty soft.

[bluneon]

only do this in an open and ventilated area. open all doors and windows. have a fan blow fresh air into the vehicle while the fuel tank is open. do this while the fuel tank is as empty as you can get it.

unbolt forward most bolts from rear seats, bungee cord the seats to the seat backs so you won't have to completely remove the whole assembly.
pry out the cover, it's only held in place by butyl tape. try not to get the tape smeared everywhere. also watch out for sharp edges from sheet metal.
unhook the electrical connector to the fuel pump, remove the fuel cap from the gas tank.
start engine, allow to stall out. attempt to start engine a few more times; this is to relieve fuel system pressure.
disconnect the battery. disconnect the evap hose and the pressure hose from the fuel pump assembly. have some rags w you to clean up spilled gas.
use a fuel pump retainer ring tool to remove the ring securing the pump to the tank.
remove pump, pull it out carefully. do not bend the float for the level sensor; twist, turn, rotate it to get it out. it's a tight fit, but it will come out.
try to keep the fuel pump upright after removal, the reservoir will still have gas in it. it will spill out everywhere if/when the pump is tilted too far.

go fish.