The gas tank flap on my '99 Ford Taurus is stuck slightly open. There are fumes coming from the car, is this safe to drive and how do I get the flap to close? (I am thinking WD-40, but will it hurt the car?)

Ford Escape Questions - Gas tank door - CarGurus

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CarGurusApr 17, 2014 - If you have to use a gas can (from running out of gas), the car will come with a ... If it's not big enough, the metal door won't release. ... ford 2009 escape cap less fuel tank I cannot get the flap door open go fill the tank 1 answer.

Opening gas tank - Ford Explorer and Ranger Forums "Serious ...

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Apr 6, 2011 - 12 posts - ‎10 authors
Opening gas tank Stock 2011 - 2016 Ford Explorer Discussion. ... open the fueldoor. I am out of town so I was trying to get some feed back to let her know tonight when I talk to her. ... Push on the gas door and it will pop open for you. ... Your fuel tank is equipped with an Easy Fuel "no cap" fuel filler system.

Cap-less fuel fill stuck shut!!! - F150 Ecoboost Forum

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Oct 30, 2014 - 10 posts - ‎6 authors
So this morning I stop to fill up with fuel and I can't put the nozzle in the tank! ... station where their fuel nozzle didn't "fit" the capless thing so the door didn't open. ... You need the Ford funnel. ... Like they're saying, if the pump end isn't big enough it won't hit the latch. ... You'll get the nozzle stuck in the filler.

I doubt the code has anything to do with the symptom.
Code 442 is for a small leak in the evap system which is what vents the fumes in the gas tank to the vapor canister. A faulty gas cap can cause the code.

Yes, the flap must seal the hole or the Vapor system will generate an error code. The Flap may be damaged or the spring has broken or as you mentioned, if it's really cold, could be frozen open. Use a flashlight to examine the filler hole and see if the flap is still there. How to fix ford fuel fill inlet problem

if the flap is intact you can try spraying some wd-40 on its hinge. If its missing you need a filler neck for your fuel tank.

Fuel tanks have a vent tube and a charcoal cannister to capture the gas fumes from the tank. It's possible there is a cracked or loose hose, faulty fuel cap, bad canister or a fuel leak and any one of many connections. Investigate for sign of raw fuel along the underside of te vehicle, and in the engine compartment. Attempt to follow the smell to isolate the location of a leak.

You may want to change your transmission fluid and filter for a start

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1999-Mercury-Cougar/Brake-Pads-Front/_/N-jd37uZ8ko29

No hose on the overflow hole.
The cap should click when it is tight.
You may be smelling the vapor canister which is doing its job.
The fuel tank system is sealed so the computer opens a valve from time to time to vent the tank thru the canister. It may be in the engine compartment or around the fuel tank.
If there is a problem with the fuel tank vent system the check engine light should come on.

Is the remote control for the locks just not working? If the doors are unlocked, the trunk and cas tank cover should be unlocked as well. I have a slightly later model, but that's how it works with mine. Are you saying that you can manually open the doors with the key, but when you do, it doesn't unlock the gas door like normal? If so ,there's a manual pull tab in the trunk to open the gas tank flap on the same side of the trunk as the gas tank flap. After it's open, you can of course close the gas lid flap again, but it won't lock again if the auto-locking system isn't working. You'll have to get the dealer to replace the motor if it's gone out. This should get you in the gas tank for now though. Good luck!

it is just stuck as long as you have a gas cap on there is not going to be any problem the cap is just there so when you fill your tank there are no fumes coming up from it