Open the gas tank on your Mitsubishi Outlander.
- Pull up on the gas tank release lever you might find on your car’s floor.
- Turn the gas tank cap counterclockwise after opening the gas tank door on the driver’s side of your car.
- After doing this, you may put the gasoline nozzle in and start pumping gas.
In This Article...
Why is my gas tank not accessible?
As was already said, rust and debris accumulation are frequent causes of your gas tank plastic flap not opening or closing properly. Rust, corrosion buildup caused by rust, and a damaged or severely bent flap are further causes of this.
Rust Build-Up
Rust accumulation on the metal gas tank flap’s hinge or latch is one of the most frequent reasons why it won’t open. To fix this problem, disassemble the seal with a flathead screwdriver and remove the rust with a rag. While you’re about it, spray WD40 on both parts to prevent future corrosion or rust growth!
Broken Metal Flap Spring
Another common cause of your metal gas tank flap not opening or closing is a broken metal flap spring. If necessary, disassemble the seal with a flathead screwdriver to access the spring and replace it to solve the problem.
Corrosion Build-up
There’s a good probability your metal gas tank flap has corroded if you discover that it won’t open or close. The best course of action in this situation is to disassemble the seal using a flathead screwdriver and examine it for rust or corrosion. After removing the rust using a rag, WD40 should be applied on the item.
Broken Latch
Last but not least, a damaged gas tank flap latch can prevent the metal gas tank flap from opening or closing. Bend the latch back into its original position if the plastic is still intact and not broken. However, you will need to repair this component if it has rust or is damaged.
Damaged Release Cable
Your metal gas tank flap may also be unable to open or close if the release cable is seriously damaged. If this occurs, you will need to replace the release cable wire in order for your gas cap to open properly.
How do you get the Mitsubishi Eclipse’s gas tank open?
The lever is on the floor immediately next to the driver’s left foot. To open the door to the gas tank, pull up on the lever. The tank’s open door should be visible when you exit the Eclipse on the driver’s side. Enjoy your time outdoors!
How much gas can a Mitsubishi Outlander handle?
What kind of gas is necessary for the Mitsubishi Outlander? The Mitsubishi Outlander runs on regular, everyday gas, so all you have to do to take advantage of those amazing fuel economy ratings is pull up to the nearest gas station, insert your card, and choose “regular”!
My gas cap is stuck; why?
Before you go out and buy and install a new gas cap, it’s necessary to figure out why the issue arose in the first place. This is true whether you are able to remove the gas cap yourself or a professional mechanic was able to do so on your behalf.
In many circumstances, the problem that causes a gas cap to be stuck is caused by one of three things:
- a gas cap flaw in the mechanics
- user error in the gas cap installation
- a filler neck mechanical issue with the gas tank
Due diligence should be taken to ensure that all three places are checked for damage because there are three different reasons why a gas cap may become stuck. An examination of the gas cap itself ought to be the first step in this process.
Step 1: Check for damage to the gas cap. Once the gas cap has been taken off the car, either by you or a mechanic, check the few specific parts that may have contributed to the gas cap sticking or spinning freely but not being able to be removed.
- The gas cap’s pressure relief valve, which is housed inside, provides for the release of modest quantities of pressure when a tank’s internal pressure becomes excessive. If the valve is jammed, the fuel cell may experience an enormous buildup of pressure that makes removal challenging.
Check to check if the valve moves up and down when you press the middle of the gas cap to see if this component is damaged. If not, this might have been the cause of the gas cap’s inability to be taken off without the use of tools.
The rubber gasket that sits beneath the gas cap is intended to form a seal between the gasoline filler neck’s base and the gas cap. The gasket may occasionally get caught between the gas cap and the filler housing. To identify if the gasket is to blame for the gas cap sticking, look for tears, frays, or other indications that it has been “pinched.”
The fuel cell filler housing’s threads are frequently cross threaded onto the gas cap thread. The threads could be harmed if this happens. Check the threads for any signs of scratches or other damage that you might typically notice on a cross-threaded lug nut or bolt to check whether this is the case.
Step 2: Check the locking gas cap lock. Some automobiles have locking gas caps that must be unlocked from the fuel tank housing with a key. The gas cap will spin freely if the lock has been compromised.
A set of “locks” that hold the gas cap to the threads on the filler housing will release when the key is inserted and rotated, making it simple to remove the gas cap. These “locks” or tumblers will not open if the lock is destroyed, which frequently results in the gas cap spinning freely.
Remove the vehicle’s gas cap before putting the key into the locking mechanism and turning it to the “unlock position.” To check if the locking bracket goes inward, look underneath the cap.
The lock was to blame if you don’t notice any movement on the gas cap’s bottom or inside components. Install a new locking gas cap or an OEM-style standard gas cap on your gasoline tank.
Step 3: Examine the housing for the gas tank filler. In rare cases, the filler housing where the gas cap is inserted may have been the cause of the issue. In this case, the gas cap won’t screw on the gas tank smoothly or accurately due to damage to the filler housing or an abundance of debris.
To find out if this component is to blame, take each of the following actions individually:
Look for any evidence of extra dirt, debris, or scratch marks on the tank filler housing where the cap screws into the gas tank.
On the fuel neck, look for any obstacles. A twig, leaf, or other foreign object will frequently make its way into the fuel neck and hinder the easy installation of the gas cap. This may make it stick or make it difficult to remove without instruments.
If the gas tank filler housing is damaged, a qualified mechanic will need to replace it. Although extremely unusual, it does occasionally happen.
In most cases, it’s fairly simple to change the gas cap on any car, truck, or SUV. However, if the gas cap is too tight, spinning freely, or you are simply unable to remove it, you might want to seek the help of a qualified mechanic. Have a qualified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, do a visual inspection to identify the causes of the stuck gas cap and fix any damage.