Stupid Que - Oil Filler Cap Stuck!!

[Neil B Scot]

Hi Folks - serious question - on my weekly oil check I could not get the oil filler cap off. Normally need to top up the oil every 6wks or so and no previous problems so no idea what has changed.

Car is a 09 Works, cap rotates 90deg as normal, loosens by about 5mm - in the vertical plane - but will not come off. Rattles about as loose as anything when slackened off but will not lift off. Lifts up slightly more at the back.

Anybody got any ideas? Or can somebody post a photo of the inside of a cap and the fitting in the rocker cover?

Thanks

Neil

[The Nun]

Ive had a look at mine, simple enough, cant really see what if anything would stop it coming off, cap looks a one piece moulding with a rubber seal on the underside of its top and a lug each side that screws into the scroll thread on the cam cover.
Only thing might be if one of the lugs has sheared maybe and stopping it winding out.
Rather than trying to force the thing and end up damaging either the cap, or worse cam cover, it might be better to whip off the cam cover and look from inside at the cap to see what the problem is?
If you force it and break it bits might fall into the engine.

Good to hear youre trying to do a weekly oil check as opposed to what some others think, like every 19000 miles.

[StarFlyr]

I bought my '05 used last May and finally got up the nerve to check the oil level (I've been getting a yellow blinking light on the wiper stalk (requesting more windshield fluid). I had a bit of a problem getting the hood (bonnet as you UK people say) open. Finally got the manual out and figured out the hood release by the pax door. Left hand driver over here of course. Then, it took me several minutes to find the little latch that releases the hood up.

Filled the washer tank and then decided to check the oil. I thought the cap was more than a little weird. Got off and found out I was about 1/4 inch below the "add" line. So I topped it off and then screwed the oil cap back on. Perhaps I tighter it TOO much as it "clicked". I stopped right there. Hope the next time I remove the cap it just unscrews normally. If not, I'm not going to mess around with it as I certainly don't want to screw it up. So I'll probably blast down to the local Mini dealer and let them sort it out.

Might even drive a new '13 model while I'm there. Good excuse to go see them I think.

[Neil B Scot]

Now fixed - not sure what was wrong but after trying to ease the cap off I reverted to brute force and ignorance and off it came. No damage so no bits in valve gear.

Now wonder if I had fitted incorrectly last time as it is fine now.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

[The Nun]

Quote: Originally Posted by StarFlyr (original)

So I topped it off and then screwed the oil cap back on. Perhaps I tighter it TOO much as it "clicked". I stopped right there. Hope the next time I remove the cap it just unscrews normally. If not, I'm not going to mess around with it as I certainly don't want to screw it up. .

Thats right screw it down until you feel it click that means its fully seated and sealed.