funny story: my gas cap

So here's a funny story I thought I would share about my first fuel-up..


That big huge snow storm last week (Feb 8th) that started during my homeward commute was the opportune time, according to me, to fill up from the quarter tank I had at the time. I bet I could have easily made it home without gassing up, but better safe than sorry during a really snowy commute.

I drive 20% of the way before hitting a gas station and decide to fill up. This is the first fuel-up since my car was filled by the dealer where I bought it.
I tried to open it and I notice it seemed a little stuck. I try a little harder turn on the gas cap and then hear a crack, and off comes the cas cap handle, from the while screw-in piece that fits into the gas receptacle. I had cut myself against an edge in the process.
I'm livid, in the cold snowy weather at the gas station and grab my multi-tool to try and eject the white cap stuck in there... no luck.

So I figure I'm out of luck for a gas-up and drive to the nearest Mazda dealer. This happened to be MOT. Really nice crew there and really nice waiting room!

Anyhow, replacement and removal of the old one came to about $130 or so plus tax. I just wanted to fill the tank and get home before the worst of the snow, so I didn't care what it took.

The replacement was the same gas cap design, which was a little surprising, but I noticed that it has no issues coming out. I figure the old one was seized in there either by cold weather or the person who filled it up at the dealer had jammed that thing way too tight, coupled with the really cold weather, causing it to seize.

Anyone else had gas-cap issues? I noticed some talk about the gas-cap in the US mazda3 forums, and how the design is somewhat faulty in this sense.

So that's it. Shitty storm, shitty gas cap, shitty commute, but all better now.

TLDR: I kinda think the mazda34 gas cap could be better designed... maybe? How are the gas caps on the latest mazda3s? Anyone got any pics? (like the 2012/13/14 models?)

I had to get my 2009 cap replaced under warranty.

I think it is a known issue with the first gen gas caps

its not uncommon for the caps to seperate. i think $130 was a bit much. its like a $65 cap. all you need is a pair of channel locks and it comes off easy.. how much labour were you charged?

Pretty sure there was a recall for that... I don't think you were supposed to pay (or correct me if I'm wrong maybe it was just a TSB?)

EDIT: Nvm. Was just a TSB repaired under warranty. Here's a bunch of other people with the same story.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...5-Mazda3/page1

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...2008-5-Gas-Cap

isnt the gas cap designed to prevent you from over tightening it?? (the clicking noise). it was most likely the weather, causing the pipe to shrink on the rubber seal or something. i replaced my gas cap with a stant instant filler caps.

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/4967/civicgascap.jpg

its nascar approved :chuckle

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Booter22

its not uncommon for the caps to seperate. i think $130 was a bit much. its like a $65 cap. all you need is a pair of channel locks and it comes off easy.. how much labour were you charged?

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$130 was including labour

Quote:

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Originally Posted by proDJtege

$130 was including labour

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Yes but how much labour did you pay was my question. How much was parts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Booter22

its not uncommon for the caps to seperate. i think $130 was a bit much. its like a $65 cap. all you need is a pair of channel locks and it comes off easy.. how much labour were you charged?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by proDJtege

$130 was including labour

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Booter22

Yes but how much labour did you pay was my question. How much was parts.

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I think he's asking you to do the math.
If the total cost including labour was $130 and you know that the gas cap costs about $65 then how much did he pay for labour?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jackal

I think he's asking you to do the math.
If the total cost including labour was $130 and you know that the gas cap costs about $65 then how much did he pay for labour?

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well was it $130 for the cap only and install. does that or does it not include the tax? did they do something else and not only replace the gas cap? did they have to cut it off with a chain saw?

hence why i was asking how it is broken down. just to me seems like a bit much to pay almost $60 for labour

this thread turned into a math class

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/1999/mathc166669.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by silverstarmazda

this thread turned into a math class

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Seems like Booter is trying to break down the receipt. Not a math class.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 6strings

Seems like Booter is trying to break down the receipt. Not a math class.

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exactly.

fine by me if you guys want to go somewhere and over pay. i just wanted to see how it was broken down, and what he was charged for. most labour ive ever billed to remove a broken cap and replace with new is $20ish bucks. ive replaced a few myself so i know how long it take to do. i think even the TSB time to replace was .2 or .3 which is why i thought .5/.6 or $50-$60 to remove and replace was a bit excessive.

agreed, price seems a little too steep. plus, i got an oem gas cap for sale if anyone wants :chuckle

just because the gas cap looks the same doesn't mean it's the same inside!
the gas caps were a known issue so mazda redesigned it... no breakage issues like this since then!

Got mine replaced under warrenty. I had the EXACT same thing happen to me. Clearly... when you need gas this is a less than convenient situation to be in.

But what this man experienced we like to call a RIP OFF... lol

But once you pay and leave I dont think there is much you can do... except write an angry letter