I washed my car and left the gas cap off after filling up with gas. Will this damage my engine? ?

Question

If so, what should I do to prevent damage?

Answer 1

Buy a new gas cap.

Answer 2

no damage however the check engine light might come on  just drive the car and about a week later the light will go out

Answer 3

you need to get a waterhose and put one end in the gas tank and one suck until the gas starts to come out. be careful not to get gas in your mouth it tastes nasty. it should start a suction and then it will drain your gas out. be sure your close to a gas station though so you can refill. water in your gas WILL ruin your engine if you dont take care of it

Answer 4

First you need to replace the cap. If a large amount of water got into the tank,(more than a pint) then you need to drain the tank. If just a small amount got in there then start the car and let it idle. Expect it to spit and sputter when the water gets to the engine. When you hear the engine start to sputter, rev up the engine to around 3000 rpm. Wait till the engine smooths out and then idle it down. If there is any water in your tank it will come right to your engine because it will sink to the bottom of your tank right away, where the fuel is drawn from.  

Answer 5

It probably didnt. Its sealed off and pressurized so when you car is running there is pressure keeping the flap in place. you probably didnt do anything but you cant put a tiny bit of alcohol in it.

Answer 6

probaly not, but you could put about a pint of alcohol in tank. This will assorb any water that may have gotton in the tank.

Answer 7

No it won't hurt the engine, but if you got enough water in it, it might stop running!  

You can solve this by going down to "dollar tree" and buying a bucks worth of alcohol and dumping it in the tank, this will mix with water and then with gas, -- and engine will burn it out with the tank of gas, -- and of course you need a gas cap, -- on most cars it affects emissions!  

Answer 8

Depends on how much water go in. does engine run? If OK the just as a precaution add "dry gas" to your tank or fill up with one of the major gas brands that blends in 10% alcohol.

Answer 9

it should,nt. just throw a bottle of fuel injection cleaner in the tank and it will take care of what little water that got in.