Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I
have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was
told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas
through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my
model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a
minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though
I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas
pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for
a few days because of the fumes. While trying to replace the cap I
noticed that the replacements seem to be just like the one I have. So
here is my question- Is it simply the wrong gas cap (how do I tell the
difference between a vented vs. non vented gas capand what one does my
vcar need) and will that stop the gas from pouring all over the back
of my car or is it a more complex problem?? and if so how do I get it
fixed. Please if anyone has some ideas I would be extremely
appreciative. Thanks.

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote:

Are you sure the gas is coming out at the top past the cap rather
than somewhere farther down?

On 23 Apr 2007 09:40:11 -0700, Chris <williamschris (AT) uwstout (DOT) edu> wrote:

On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote:
Yes, I watched it yesterday flowing past the cap like a river- I took
the cap off and saw that gas was pooled and still coming out- put the
cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the flow. Took the
cap off again and it spurted out and then seemed to slow a bit and
stop. Obviously there is a problem with the pressure inside. Seems
to do it every time I put gas in. There was a leak by the battery -
Fuel filter- but I tightened that and hav not had problems there
since. I also replaced the fuel pump a little while back and looked
over the gas lines but did not find any other leaks- Any ideas???

On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote:
yes- it seems to be flowing through the cap- I watched it yesterday.
I took the cap off and saw that the gas was pooling up. I put the cap
back on and tightened it but it did not stop the stream of gasoline.
I opened it again and gas spurted out and then slowed after a bit and
finally stopped. Seems that there is a problem with the pressure in
the tank. I am hoping it is as simple as a new gas cap however I fear
it maybe something else. I recently replaced the fuel pump and
checked the lines and everything looked fine. I had a leak over the
winter by the fuel filter and tightened it and haven't noticed any
other leaks since. Any ideas??

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote:

Somebody here will have an idea beyond mine-- to get the right cap
at a dealer.

But you need to understand why your leaky cap is passing liquid
instead of just vapor. Did you crawl under the car to see if the
tank looks like it is badly dented?

WOW, you car is making gas.... how much a gallon you want? If it is coming
only from the cap area and not from under the fender then you got a venting
issue.


"Chris" <williamschris (AT) uwstout (DOT) edu> wrote

On Apr 23, 12:16 pm, samst... (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote:
As far as I can tell it is coming up from the tank -through the nozzel
where you fill it up- and then all over the back end of my car-it has
even managed to spray onto the rear window. I watched it pouring out
yesterday-the gas just runs out from under the cap. I have tried
putting the cap on really tight and also putting it on loose- doesn't
appear to make much of a difference. It actually dumped out quite
alot of gasoline. I did not even drive it anywhere prior. I got gas
the previous night- went home- only about 1/2 mile away. Parked the
car and noticed it was leaking gas everywhere at about noon the next
day. The fumes fill the interior of the cab probrably because the gas
is running out from the gas cap and then follows along the trim on the
side of the car and into the crack made by the passengers side door.
You can't even sit in the thing for 5 minuted without getting a
pounding headache. Pleas help- If I can't get it fixed soon I will be
forced to buy a gas mask.

On Apr 23, 1:19 pm, "news.wildblue.net" <w... (AT) asdmonline (DOT) net> wrote:
I did in fact call a dealer about a new cap- NOT HELPFUL!!- The guy
had no idea what he was talking about. did not even try looking it up
just said he was sure they would probrably have something that would
fit. Well the one I have now fits- however it does not seem to be
capping off anything - instead only seemig to be a poor barrier. So I
guess I need to know what exact kind of a cap my vehicle is sopposed
to have- or if it is a venting issue as mentioned prevoiusly- where-
what- and how am I supposed to fix it??? Has anyone run into this
problem before??

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote:

A fire extinguisher might be more to the point. I would avoid taking
passengers until the problem is fixed.

It would seem to me that the tank is probably distorted in some way.
If it is not dented on the bottom, perhaps it sucked in from the top
due to a vacuum at some previous time.

I expect you will get some expert opinions by midnight.