Leaky oil cap-HELP! with pics

Rocket6R · 11-21-2009, 07:39 PM

I bought and installed an after market aluminum valve cover. The valve cover comes with an oil cap that is a friction fit. However, I'm getting oil now that runs from the oil cap down the valve cover and onto the engine block. Does anyone know of an easy fix for this?

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Rocket6R · 11-21-2009, 07:44 PM

another picture!

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**VACJ7** · 11-21-2009, 08:09 PM

Somewhere here on JF I saw an innovative solution. The guy drilled a hole in the center of the cap. He put a large washer over the botton part of the cap, bolt up through, a washer on top and a wing nut. As he tightened the wing nut, it mushroomed the bottom a bit to seal the cap to the cover!

Rocket6R · 11-21-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwa_fcva

Somewhere here on JF I saw an innovative solution. The guy drilled a hole in the center of the cap. He put a large washer over the botton part of the cap, bolt up through, a washer on top and a wing nut. As he tightened the wing nut, it mushroomed the bottom a bit to seal the cap to the cover!

Sound possible. Just thinking it through in my head and I'm not sure it would work, but worth the attempt.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT IDEA!

**scottymac62** · 11-21-2009, 08:18 PM

Here's the pics and here's the thread that covers this problem......http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/aluminum-valve-cover-660348/

**IronMaiden** · 11-22-2009, 06:35 AM

You could possibly use one of those rubber expanding freeze plugs. Same principle as the one made above, but you can buy it off the shelf.

They are meant to be put in engine blocks with a bad freeze plug where you can't get at it without taking the whole engine out. I believe they are in the HELP section of any auto parts store.

I just found a good site that has many varieties: Shaw Plugs

Something like this might just be the ticket to your problem.

Rocket6R · 11-22-2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks guys for all of your help. I'm going down to the hardware store this morning to get supplies for the washer-wing nut trick. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Maiden, thanks for the other suggestion. If the washer-wing nut trick fails I'll try the freeze plug idea.

By the way, Maiden is one of the best bands ever. "Hallowed be thy name" is my favorite song from them. It some how reminds me of my childhood and days in the Marine Corps.

Thanks, Paul

**scottymac62** · 11-22-2009, 01:33 PM

It looks like Shaw Plugs makes the washer/wing nut already made up for you......Wing-Nut Expandable Plugs*::*Shaw Plugs

Rocket6R · 11-22-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottymac62

It looks like Shaw Plugs makes the washer/wing nut already made up for you......Wing-Nut Expandable Plugs*::*Shaw Plugs

I went down to Pep Boys and they had the same thing as the link that you had posted. However, Pep Boys had the one with a regular nut instead of a wing nut. Anyway, I bought the one that is the 1.25" diameter. I installed it in about 15 seconds and it works like a charm. The rubber expanding part completely seals the valve cover oil filler opening. Problem solved!

A big thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

Thanks again, Paul

**scottymac62** · 11-22-2009, 06:26 PM

Pep Boys huh......good to know. Glad you got it all fixed.

**IronMaiden** · 11-22-2009, 06:28 PM

The only reason I suggested the one with the lever or wing nut is the fact that you don't need any tools to take it off.

Just be careful that it's not too long and ends up hitting your rocker arms.

Glad to see that it worked out for you.