# 2016 Chevrolet Equinox - It wasn't a loose cap **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet\ **Created:** [November 4, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459 "2021-11-04T18:30:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/1 "2021-11-04T18:30:51Z")
Engine light started coming on a few months ago. We could tighten the gas cap and it would go off for a while and then later it would come back on. Now it just stays on. I service the car regularly. It is a 2016 with about 58,000 miles. It starts and runs fine. ---
**Author:** ![oldnotdeadyet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a6a055/32.png) [@oldnotdeadyet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldnotdeadyet)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/2 "2021-11-04T21:05:53Z")
Get the code reader and report the codes to us. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/3 "2021-11-04T21:23:15Z")
> [@ThunderBear](#): > > We could tighten the gas cap and it would go off for a while gas cap might be bad try replacing it. but post codes as oldnotdeadyet said and we might be able to help you better. ---
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/4 "2021-11-04T21:31:16Z")
Thanks. Where do I get a code reader? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/5 "2021-11-04T21:33:38Z")
You don’t need a code reader if you are in the US as most Autozone stores will read them for free . ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/6 "2021-11-05T00:44:21Z")
If tightening the gas cap seemed to help, that could mean the computer is detecting a leak in the fuel evap system. The gas cap seal is part of that. Take a look at the rubber seal on the underside of the gas cap. Is it is good condition? If it’s cracked or broken you definitely need a new gas cap. If the seal seems intact, you can try cleaning it, then applying a thin film of motor oil to effect a better air-tight seal . Might work. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/7 "2021-11-05T00:55:55Z")
Try replacing the gas cap. It won’t break the bank. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/8 "2021-11-05T02:19:27Z")
Tried that earlier today. Sometimes it takes a while to turn it off. ---
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/9 "2021-11-05T02:21:32Z")
Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 12:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/10 "2021-11-05T12:48:01Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > if you are in the US as most Autozone stores will read them for free As will O’Reilly, Advance Auto, and (probably) Napa. ---
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/11 "2021-11-05T15:55:58Z")
P0013 & P0014 Codes read at local O’Reilly Auto Parts. He said it was a cam shaft timing sensor. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/12 "2021-11-05T16:05:05Z")
[P0013 or P0014 Equinox after an oil change — Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice | Automotive Repair Tips and How-To](https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/p0013-or-p0014-equinox-after-an-oil-change/) [P0013 P0014 — Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice | Automotive Repair Tips and How-To](https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/p0013-p0014/) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/13 "2021-11-05T23:43:04Z")
> [@ThunderBear](#): > > cam shaft timing sensor That part is usually associated with the _variable valve timing_ function. Something of fairly recent vintage that car designers use to offer both good mpg and good performance. The downside, it’s a complex mechanism. That function in particular is very sensitive to the engine oil. The common advice here for problems w/that function is to make sure the oil level is correct, change the oil & filter more frequently, and to make sure to use the correct oil, exactly as spec’d by the manufacturer. Note: You particular problem may have nothing to do w/all that, and an associated part has failed and needs to be replaced. An experienced mechanic would be happy to make that determination for you. ---
**Author:** ![ThunderBear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thunderbear/32/26620_2.png) [@ThunderBear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThunderBear)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-chevrolet-equinox-it-wasnt-a-loose-cap/180459/14 "2021-11-06T00:26:19Z")
Appreciate your advice.