Can a bad gas cap cause idle problems?

sfhellwig · Oct 14th, 2003, 02:26 PM

I have been searching high and low for a fix to my severe idle problem. In my searching I have seen reference to running the car with the gas cap off and that throwing a code. Is there any way the cap could leak just a little and not throw a code? Does not having the cap on even affect the way the car runs?

bahearn · Oct 14th, 2003, 05:31 PM

The cap must be tight or your OBDII system will show an evaporative emissions leak CEL.

sfhellwig · Oct 15th, 2003, 08:27 AM

Good to know what exactly its called. What I was wondering was if the cap leaks a little, can it affect the way the car runs without throwing a code. I asume not or else the code would be pretty well useless.

bahearn · Oct 15th, 2003, 12:01 PM

Nope, the car will run fine.

sfhellwig · Oct 15th, 2003, 01:01 PM

Thank you for the info. I have since found my idle problem to be the EGR valve but am collecting my little book of facts for future diagnostics.