Any one have the fortune to break their oil cap?

I recently changed the oil, and I put the cap back on like normal and gave it two clicks like always.

Now the stupid thing will not come off... the cap just spins around the base. Apparently the spring mechanism has stripped or broke internally.

Any ideas? I was thinking that a bunch of string wrapped around the base and cap may be enough to get it off, but I haven't tried it yet. If I get it off with out mutilating it too bad, I think that I will just glue the thing solid.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

The whole cover will come off and you can then work at it on your workbench without having to worry about getting pieces in the motor.

 

Unfortunately there is probably not a lot of options other than taking the cover off like the previous member mentioned. That sucks, good luck.

 

you can lift the top part off your fingers,then use a pair of chanel lock pliers to spin the rest of it off.hope this helps..

 

Just put a pair of slip joint pliers (channel locks) around it and squeeze it hard between them and turn. It should come off. I've never had this happen on my truck, but had it happen on my wifes jeep. Hope that works for you.

 

Ditto...
Jeeps are the worst!

Oilguy

 

I respectfully disagree.....Neons are the worst !

 

Happened to my jeep , too.
I ripped the top cap off with pliers and was able to now grab the plug portion and get it out.

The aftermarket replacment cap gave no problems.

 

HAHAHA, this is hilarious, I've had it break twice on my jeep TJ! Both times I just ripped the top part of the cap off then used channel locks like said above to spin the rest right out. The funniest part about my exeriences is that both times I already drained the oil out so I had to wait for a buddy to take me to get a cap, moral to this story.......take the cap off before you drain the oil, I do it every time now no matter what it is.

 

Just be careful not to damage your valve cover

 

May or may not be related but keep the oil cap o-ring lubed with silcone grease. Will keep it from sticking to the valve cover.

MikeyB

 

Nah... The cap is just a POS... The inner ratchet action is plastic and it can't take any pressure without stripping...

Anyone want the real fix.. Fill it with silicone and put it back together....
3 years on the wifey's Cherokee and still no problem! lol

Oilguy

 

Well I got the cap off with out damaging it. The internal ratchet legs had snapped off.

I got the cap and plug off clean enough that I will super glue them back together and keep it as a spare.

BTW, a new mopar cap cost me $12.