Fuel Tank Caps (11 items found)

Gas-powered outdoor tools may be rugged and reliable, but their moving parts handle a lot of stress with frequent use. A lawn mower gas cap is a deceptively simple part, but regularly screwing and unscrewing it to refill your tank will eventually take its toll. Find the replacement fuel caps for your gas-powered equipment at Ace Hardware.

How Do Lawn Mower Gas Caps Work?

The most obvious purpose of a gas cap is to seal the fuel tank from the outside air, preventing spills, stopping fuel contamination and slowing down evaporation. However, a fuel cap isn't the same as a regular cap on a bottle or other container. As the gasoline is burned by the engine, the gas cap needs to let air into the tank to refill the space, and this means that it can't provide a complete seal in both directions.

Letting the air back into the tank is known as venting, which is vital for your gas-powered lawn mower to work smoothly. Unfortunately, as the cap wears out, the one-way seal can become damaged, causing gasoline leaks that can only be fixed with a gas cap replacement.

Signs Your Gas Cap Needs Replacing

If you smell gasoline while using your outdoor power equipment, it's a warning sign you should never ignore. The problem could be in the fuel line, but one of the most common culprits is a faulty gas cap or one that doesn't correctly fit your lawn mower or other outdoor equipment. An even worse sign is when the area around the fuel cap is wet to the touch, or if fuel visibly spouts from the tank when you increase engine power.

In all these cases it's important to prevent the leaking fuel from catching fire on the hot exterior of the engine. Utilizing a gas cap replacement is an easy and economical way of fixing this common problem.

Are Gas Caps Universal?

Lawn mower gas caps are not universal, meaning what fits for one lawn mower may not fit another. When you need to fix a damaged gas cap, it's important to buy the correct design for your equipment’s make and model. The first point to look out for is the diameter of the fuel cap, which can range from a few inches depending on the type of tool and the size of its fuel tank.

However, gas caps also come in winged or threaded designs, and the two types aren't interchangeable. Although many residential power tools use a plastic threaded gas cap, it's important to check your model before buying a gas cap replacement to make sure it fits.

Shop Fuel Caps at Ace Hardware

Get your gas-powered tools back in working order with a gas cap replacement from Ace. Explore our range above using the price options on the left, narrowing your choices from top brands like Briggs & Stratton, Arnold and Craftsman.  Order online and enjoy free in-store pickup on qualifying orders. Need to upgrade your outdoor power equipment? Shop hedge trimmers, chain saws, leaf blowers and more to keep your backyard and lawn in top shape.