gas filler flap, I think mine is missing
 

I went for gas today and as the gas was pumping into my tank it sprayed backward and ran down the side of my car before stopping. The attendant told me it must be full, but it wasn't even at 1/2 tank. He removed the nozzle and we both noticed that the flap at the top of the gas filler neck was not there ? Did they not use that flap on the Protege 5 ? Mine is a 2003 P5 and I expected that that flap would be there. Before I bring it into Mazda can someone let me know if that flap is supposed to be there and also if they've had this same problem when filling up ?

mine is there... i dun think think there's a differece between 02 and 03... get it checked out @ the dealer... oh and better wash the spilled area clean...

some cars have them some don't....

Fill you own gas tank!
 

Sounds like you were getting gas, and the attendant put the gas nozzle in, locked the pump trigger, then continued to service the vehicle. Better off pumping you own gas manually! MAYBE THE ATOMATIC PUMP CUT OFF WAS NOT WORKING OR NOT INSTALLED AT THAT GAS STATION, PUMPS SHOULD STOP PUMPING WHEN GAS REACHES THE PUMP NOZZEL. Also never try to squeeze in any extra gas after the pump cuts out!:p

Are you talking about the metal flap/thingy just insid the opening? If so, there is one in mine.

my 2002 p5 never had one. try a search here, we have talked about it before in detail. i think the attendant screwed up, that flap will not keep gas from dumping back out when filling, it's open until the last second the nozzle is in the car and there is no seal around the nozzle as it fills.

I'd love to pump my own, but in the great state of New Jersey, it's actualy illegal. We have rules that disalow people to pump their own gas, because by having gas station attendants, it creates more jobs, which actualy makes sense. But, I think that it's not a big freakin risk to take - lol.

Pepi

...and, the 'flapper door' wouldn't help in this case anyhoo - it is pushed aside when the fuel nozzle is pushed in...

Probably a bad nozzle.