I know my other Nissan car has one and I believe my Max used to have one, but the other day when I shoved the gas pump in I heard a "clink" like the sound when you pop a tab off a beer can. I removed the gas pump and I don't have one now!

So before I go to Nissan and ask them to fish it out or worse have to drop my gas tank , I'd like to make sure. Please tell me I'm crazy and the Max doesn't come with one, but then again I think I may want one to keep the dirt out.

I know my 2000 GLE had one and my 2002 SE does so I would have to only guess that you should have had the little flap when you insert the gas pump to protect it from dirt and what not.

Jeff

I use to have one, now it's swimming in gasoline.

My concern was that it might block the gas line going out of the tank and cause the car to stall, but it's been a year and nothing bad happened.

As for the dirt, that's why we have a fuel filter

Well you have what they call a "check ball" in the bottom of your filler tube. This opens when you are filling up the gas tank, and bounces back up when you stop because of the gas vapors. This keeps you from stealing gas and letting vapors out. That little tab may or may not be able to get by that. If it did get lodged there it might actually set a check engine light for a vapor leak. Most likely it went into the gas tank. If so you don't have much to worry about unless the tab cuts into the little absorbant piece that attaches to your fuel pump. This is a "sponge" of sorts for gas. Not much to worry about though. Then again if you know it is probably down there, it might just be preventative maintenance to take it to the dealer. Too bad you don't live closer to me i'd fish it out in about an hour...for free.

I may be moving to Michigan in a year or so, but I can't wait that long.

Please explain how you go about fishing out the "check ball". I'd really like to NOT have Nissan drop my gas tank, if it's not necessary.