Need help. Filler tube issue.

I was reaplacing the leaking gasket where the filler neck goes into the gas tank. I got the new gasket and was on my way to getting the filler neck out but at the very end of the filler tube there was some sort of plastic assembly with a spring and some kind of moving seal. I have no idea what this is (will have pics up as soon as I can get home from the shop.) Basically I guess I didn't have enough clearance on the passenger side (I hadn't move the gas tank far enough over ) but when I attempted to pull the filler neck from the gas tank this plastic piece broke off. Nothing went into the gas tank but it's obviously still broken. I have a few questions:

1. What is this?
2. I need to drive home obviously and I'm wondering if putting the orignial tube back in without this piece on the end will be fine.
3. Is this piece necessary at all? (Will probably replace the tube anyways cause I don't want it "rigged".

And on a side note I can't believe the filler next is $140!

Thanks for your help guys.
James

Not so worried now. Talked to mechanic friend of mine who told me the piece on the end was primarily to stop people from siphoning gas and to keep gas from pouring out if the car were to roll (at which point I'm not worried about the filler neck!). But basically he told me they break all teh time and it's no big deal. The filler neck is still 2 to 2.5 inches in the gas tank and no leaks (The new gasket did the trick).

On a side note other than that piece breaking (which obviously is no big deal) the install was very simple and easy. Glad I didn't pay anyone. Next is the X-pipe install!

Will sitll have pics up for reference in a couple of hours.

batman96 said:

i dont see why you cant just cover up the hole till you get home unless you need to fill up.

Click to expand...

Nah the filler tube is back in and working fine. I could have done that but I was in a bit of a panic at the time