Once again, Gas Caps

[01Mastiff]

Here's the deal. I have a 2001 Mastiff and the gas caps are swollen up from ethanol. I know this issue has been covered many times, but I want to know if anyone has gotten replacement caps (paint saver type) from Landmark and if they worked? About two years ago I looked into it and called some guy with Tec at Landmark and he advised they were aware of the swelling problem and had changed material (nylon?) used in the threads so they would no longer swell from ethanol. I didn't need caps at that time but posted info here. Today I called Marie at Landmark who is now in charge of gas caps. She says they never changed the nylon they used and still get some of their caps back for swelling issues and they basically don't care. You can not buy the components from them anymore, she said just buy new caps and try them and if they don't work, TS. I know I can change out the paint saver system, but as some have luck with this and some don't, and I never get lucky, I ain't going there. Anyone find replacements from anywhere else or new Landmark replacements that work? Thanks

 

[BBChopper]

I have been making one of caps the last few months using the same cap have. I have one of the newer ratcheting caps I got from Carls in Daytona in 2010, I left the vent on it and have had no issues with swelling or venting. They told me that Landmark change the material, since then I found from another source that they just changed the size of the threads... I did find out if you remove the vent entirely which was the old fix for venting gas can get up into the trigger mechanism and it locks up. JR's 03 we had to remove the vent because on 03 the filler neck isnt centered and it bottoms out. His works fine but wont ratchet when the tank is full...
Hope that helps I think the new caps are ok but the only fix is to make a billet threaded insert which I have on my cap I just made for my bike but cant find anymore..

 

[Marky-Marc]

Mine started swelling the other day (70 degrees). So I called up landmark and talked to Marie, who's super cool. However, they do NOT sell just the caps anymore, you have to buy the whole kit including the paint saver, PLUS their new disclaimer is that they can NOT guarantee it won't swell......and the price now is.....$59.95...if anyone wants the part number for the Landmark SINGLE gas tank cap / paint saver from Landmark, it is: LM104-2A....I am going to first attempt to remove the paint saver from my tank when I get my tool...my bike was custom painted and looking at it with a 'microscope' I have NOT seen any remnants of JB weld or putty etc...so I hope mine comes off easy...then I'll just use the normal HD threads under it...if it proves difficult, I will just use the 'new' Landmark saver / cap combo I ended up finding on Flea-bay for $51.00

 

[bearman]

About two years ago my cap threads swelled up and it was difficult to get the cap off. I removed the internals and it made it a lot better.
Then about a year ago the epoxy turned loose and now when I take the cap off the whole thing comes off, paint saver too. Now I just use it that way, making sure not to lose the rubber gasket under the paint saver.

 

[Marky-Marc]

Got my replacement landmark gas cap kit today. Old one was swelling pretty badly and vaseline didn't help it at all.

As you can see, the new one (left on photo) has a shorter depth on the threads. the cap itself is also a little thinner....I like my old one better.....I can swap the threads no problem....

I'm going to probably be an idiot here, but here it goes...do I need the tan 'vent' mechanism? By that I mean, will my bike DIE a few miles down the road without the tan 'vent' mechanism installed on the new cap? What I'm finding is, with the 'vent' valve inserted in the new cap, it goes on tight as the old one, without it, works a lot better....

New one does have the interior threads on it for the venting mechanism, but didn't come with it....just came as a kit with a new paint saver, saver removal tool and the new cap......

I tested the 'vent' valve and it works like it should, air only one way.

I'm guessing I should probably put the tan 'vent' valve on the new threads...however, wanted to throw the question out there.....will it work without it?

Thanks,

M.

 

[BWG56]

Mine don't have the vent thing on it and everytime I gas up there is gas on the paint saver, so I would say use the vent unless it shuts you down, then I would modify it and still use it to keep the gas from getting on top the paint saver. I also think this is what started the paint to lift around the paint saver not only once, but twice on my tank. I don't know if its from splashing or from vaporizing.

 

[Marky-Marc]

The new landmark cap does have the vent built in, just like the old one....I'm going to try it without the mechanism and see what happens with it.

I can't seem to find the tan vent mechanism anywhere on the intra-web....SO....does anyone else have the un-screwable vent cylinder? What is the correct terminology for it and if the gas caps are already somewhat vented, does it just vent it more?

Most bikes I've seen, HDs or BDs, don't have that on their caps....

 

[bearman]

The internals I was talking about (that I removed) was this tan vent mechanism. I have no problems with mine(other than gas on the tank if I overfill).

My experience was that before I removed my vent in the cap my dog would seep a little gas out the cap when on the kickstand after riding. It was one of those things that would never happen as long as you watched it, but come back tomorrow and there would be a trail down the side of the tank. This has not happened since I removed the vent. I expect that what was happening to mine is that after a ride, the engine heat would warm up the gas after a while and the pressure would push fumes out my cap around the seal. Then these fumes would condense on the paint saver and eventually run down the tank.