I have no clue how it broke off. I wonder if someone tried to thief some gas from me. All I know is the time I filled the tank it was there. Now it's not.

Additionally, what else could have kept my car from starting? It had a couple gallons left in it. But the fuel was obviously not getting to the engine. When I added some more gas, it must have knocked the floating little metal flap that had broken off away from the fuel pump and now it works.

But I'm worried it will happen again, and also, I suspect that spring-loaded flap is there for a reason.