Stenobeth

I had a 60,000 mile tune-up about a month ago, new plugs and the works, and the car has been running awesome. I took it to the dealer for some body work and while there had an oil change. Picked up the car, drove it about 20 miles, all good, stopped and filled up the tank (and got a nice compliment on the car because of its awesomeness ), then within a minute of leaving, the engine light came on and stayed on. The car is running strong and happy, no performance issues that I can see.

I took the cap off and on a bunch of times, retightened it plenty of clicks and drove it, but just a little so far, to see if the light would go off. It hasn't.

So: After I drive it a good 30 miles to work tomorrow, if the light is still on, is it worth trying just buying a new cap and putting it on rather than go to the dealer and have them charge me to diagnose it and then put a new cap on at full OEM price? And should I get the OEM cap or is a generic one just as good? The difference in price is about $22, so not a big deal, and I like the best for my baby.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

first, you should verify the code. Go to a local auto zone to have the code read for free

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

^^yes, it may be completely unrelated to that event

zoom44

the "gas cap cel" doesn't work like that. the evap test is done AFTER the car is shut off. so stopping to fill it up and leaving the cap loose or off wont light the cel until the after the NEXT TIME you turn it off and start it again later.

unless of course the cap was pulled off before the car was shut off...


either way the correct thing is as above - get the code first before proceeding with anything.

Stenobeth

Ok, thanks, everyone. I'm working with the dealer to try to get the car in there ASAP around my work schedule.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

the dealer will charge you just to read the code.

Stenobeth

Bad news ending with good news! It had nothing to do with the gas cap, it was a coil. The bad news was I just paid $800 three months ago for new coils, wires, plugs, and battery at the new location of Faulkner Mazda in Philly, and they either didn't really put all new ones in or one failed, but Jorge and Jim at North Penn Mazda in Colmar replaced it via warranty and voila! no more engine light and no more rough idling at no charge to me... and obviously a patron gone from Faulkner forevermore to North Penn.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

that's why you should learn to do the easy stuff on your own, Plugs/coils are simple, and it will save you LOTS later on!!
Glad everything worked out!