emission problem

[jab]

So my friend went to do an issue test on the mazda 3 they own (2006 sedan) and failed because they have an improper gas cap. Theirs broke last year and have been using a spare one lying around their house the past few years but when they had the emission test done the other day the reason noted on the paper which is why it failed was improper gas cap. A mechanic had suggested two things: 1) try replace with cap with an actual oem one or 2) paying something like $190 at the emission place that will allow them to run it successfully with a pass but make a note that the gas cap is an issue, and would have to get another emissions done in 2 years time.

Now my question is for number 1)..will this actually solve the problem? Even if it is temporary to pass the emission. Does it have to be the exact same model as the car or will a cap from a 2011 model fit in a 2006 ( i assume they are universal)

and for question 2) there is no guarantee the gas cap switch will work so is it worth to try and pay this price? Is that a reasonable price or has anyone heard of this before? The car will most likely be sold within the next two years also..

[FD22]

Just to confirm, they're absolutely sure it's the gas cap itself? I believe ryan2.3 has a similar issue right now, where he thought it could be the gas cap but it doesn't seem like it.

Just want to make sure, before they go replacing parts that may not be needed, due to an improper diagnosis.

[jab]

Just to confirm, they're absolutely sure it's the gas cap itself? I believe ryan2.3 has a similar issue right now, where he thought it could be the gas cap but it doesn't seem like it.

Just want to make sure, before they go replacing parts that may not be needed, due to an improper diagnosis.

100%

a) my friend told me they have been using a spare gas cap the last year or so as the original oem one broke so they found a spare one that was lying around the house that "fit" and b) on the emission paper it states that the gas cap itself is the actual problem that is causing the test to fail

[ryan2.3]

Gen 2 gas cap will not fit a gen 1. I wish it did.

Your best bet is to borrow someone's Gen 1 cap and try it. If it passes, you know to go ahead and buy a new one. Or every 2 years borrow a cap for the test. If it still doesn't and you are tight on time to get passed, you may want to pay the 190 and hope you can figure it out in 2 years

speaking of borrowing, FD22, i plan on doing a lot of driving with your gas cap this weekend to see if it fixes my P0446

[CloudPump]

Gas caps are tested separately from the emissions of the vehicle. The cap has to seal properly and only vent at a certain pressure.

If they said the gas cap failed, it failed. It is tested on its own.

A new gas cap is ~$30 or so at Canadian Tire. Buy one and be done with it.

-Geoff