Oil Filler Cap Rounded :-\ - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

japher · 01-24-2005, 12:39 PM

Hi Guys,

I was topping up the oil on my '87 corolla yesterday, and when replacing the oil filler cap I couldn't tighten it. If I try to tighten it, it gets slightly tighter then very loose (the thread seems to have been rounded off!). I'm hoping that it's the cap (rather than the actual tank!) that is ruined.

Is there any trick I can use to fix the cap? (like wrapping PTFE tape around it?) If not, where can I order a new cap? I tried Halfords (I live in the UK btw) but they only had caps for Ford/Vauxhall

Does anyone know a place where I can grab one cheap?

Ukrainian102 · 01-24-2005, 01:36 PM

You might wanna put some plumbing tape on the inside on the threads.

Anyway, I'd just buy a new cap. You are talking about the cap on top of the valve cover right? They're all over the internet. TRD makes 'em, but those are expensive. However just google oil cap and find one for your car.

4Aaron GE · 01-24-2005, 01:46 PM

Just go to your local wrecking yards. The oil cap from pretty much any Toyota woll work. Just take some time to confirm that its your cap, and not the valve cover. Also, if you're feeling spendy, just pop by any local store that caters to the boy racer crowd, and they should probably have a nice aluminium one. Or do what Ukranian102 said, and order it off the net.

Flashmn · 01-25-2005, 12:11 AM

Well the OEM cap is plastic and the valvecover is aluminum, now I dont think plastic would kill aluminum, so I bet you're safe to assume its the cap.

toyotaspeed90 · 01-25-2005, 02:57 AM

i would be worried that by doing that to the cap, you may have shaven off plastic directly into the head......

japher · 01-25-2005, 04:13 AM

Thanks for the replies guys.

As far as shaving off plastic goes, I really don't think this has happened. The thread on the cap shows no signs of scratching or scraping, it's just really old and quite rounded. I did look on ebay for caps, and saw quite a few TRD ones, but I don't particularly want a ridiculous, shiny blue cap that costs loads!

On reflection, I'm loathe to use plumbers (PTFE) tape, as it can kind of shred up and I don't want that falling in! There's a Japanese car breakers near me, so I'll give them a ring.

Cheers,