Oil & Fuel Spout cap in gas tank

[kwolfe]

AAARGGGHHH!!!. Poped right out of my hand into the tank. Having the spout cap in the gas tank shouldn't hurt anything should it? Just need some reassurance. THanks

 

[Dmace]

If it's plastic it will float, just keep it over 1/4 tank.

 

[joe48]

AAARGGGHHH!!!. Poped right out of my hand into the tank. Having the spout cap in the gas tank shouldn't hurt anything should it? Just need some reassurance. THanks

Go down to the auto parts or tool store and get a flexible retriever tool with the grabber prongs, long enough to reach the bottom of the tank and grab that cap. Yoy'll have other uses for it as time goes by too, like when you drop a bolt down in some inaccessable nook.

 

[txdon]

Kwolfe, try a coat hanger with a "V" on the end, worked for me.

 

[RalphVa]

I've dropped a couple little plastic caps into the tank. At one point, I drained the tank and used a grapple tool like others have recommended and fished them out. Dropped another one in there later on and have just left it.

Plastic doesn't float in diesel. It does in water.

Ralph

 

[kwolfe]

Ralph,
I think your right about the plastic not floating. Right after it happened, I tired swirling things around with my fingers. Could not see the cap float past. I imagine by now, it has made its way down the natural slant of the tank. It may just have to stay there forever. I don't feel like taking the tank off if it is not going to hurt anything.

 

[NH_Dave]

kwolfe,
You'll be OK until the cap settles over the outlet from the tank.
At that point it will likely restrict the flow of fuel and the engine may quit.
Then you will learn how to purge air from your fuel lines and injectors.
Does this sound like a voice of experience?
Take the time now and retrieve it.
Dave

 

[TonyS]

I dropped part of a funnel in my tank, the spout piece. Got it out with my wife's cooking tongs but did need to root about a bit

 

[mjarrels]

I sometimes use a maglite to check fuel level... always worried about dropping it in the tank!

mark

 

[BTDT]

What about draining tank, then, use one of the furniture crevice tools on vacuum cleaner hose to "grab" it with. May have to duct tape a piece of stiff hose (pvc, water hose, etc) to vacuum hose to get it long enough to reach bottom of tank. Good luck.

This will work if it's a diesel tank, don't use on gasoline, being explosive and all that.