I’ve noticed that component and you were right you can’t get it without the gas tank. I have no idea how it works or if that could be the problem. I’m curious to see if we have someone respond to this. That knows I am, however, going to replace the entire filler neck assembly they are no longer available, but I found one on eBay. It’s significantly expensive but I own this vehicle intend on keeping it for a long time so I went ahead and invested in the money as long as I’m going to have the gas tank down, I might as well yank the filler assembly out and replace it as well. Friggin EPA!!!!! Oil is already part of the ecosystem. We pump it out of the ground. We do not import it from Saturn. It does not come from another dimension. It is part of our ecosystem as the Earth exists right now while I’m not in favor of dumping oil on the ground or burning gasoline and open fires, I think we’re a little bit hypersensitive to emission issues when it comes to our cars One volcanic eruption next to an oil field will diminish all human emission contributions to a micro percentage of what’s out . Over it!!