Oil cap leaking...

[2Devious]

Sometimes, when I would get on her hard, I would think that I caught a wiff of burning oil. Just for a second though.

This morning I had a little look under the hood to find some oil and oil+dirt buildup along the front valve cover mating surface. I wiped it all clean so I could determine just how bad of a gasket leak I was looking at after my drive to work.

Come to find out the valve cover gasket doesn't leak a drop, but oil runs out from the oil cap, down the valve cover and along the gasket. Looks like it had been doing that for quite awhile durring the previous ownership as well. Determined by the dirt and oil crust along the mating surface.

5 minutes to give the cap to valve cover mating surface a good cleaning, tighten up the clamp. And wa-la, no more leaking.....for now. An ebay purchase of a ralliart cap or something should make sure it doesn't happen anymore.

has anyone else noticed this on their car? You would think that the cap would have *some* sort of rubber gasket on it to make a good seal.

[Thourun]

I got that on the SL, dosent seem to be a problem on the VR4 I've decided to buy but I'll probably get an aftermarket cap anyways just to be safe since the car is still 10 years old.

[sLADe781]

Yeah, I've been noticing that there's always like a gleam of oil next to my oil cap ('94 SL). Never thought much of it because I haven't had an instance where oil is completely gone but I have noticed it before. I guess I should get that cap changed too....what's good out there guys?

[2Devious]

Originally Posted by Thourun

I got that on the SL, dosent seem to be a problem on the VR4 I've decided to buy but I'll probably get an aftermarket cap anyways just to be safe since the car is still 10 years old.

I just picked up one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33622

I'll post if it helps any when I get it installed.

[youngvr4]

had the same thing happen to the vr4, just got a new cap

[Bo240sx]

yea thats happening to my boyfriends 95 SL

[Thourun]

I hate how on ebay the cap costs $2 and the shipping costs $8 lol.

[2Devious]

Originally Posted by Thourun

I hate how on ebay the cap costs $2 and the shipping costs $8 lol.

I know, it's horrible.
I would rathwe pay the inflated S/H prices than pay the $45 for the cap at some of the online stores I was looking through.
Even with some of the tards on there ebay gets my thumbs up for buying just about anything.

[fastfalcon94]

some times its not the cap that is causing the problem. U could have a new cap and it would stil lleak if there was enough pressure built up. I got a new cap off ebay, its a ralliart, and it still leaked. The problem is often the PCV valuve. Its located on the back left of the front valve cover and comes off w/ a 14mm rench. Remove it and shake it. If it rattles then it is good. If not its built up w/ sludge and u will need a new one for like $4. If your pcv valve is still good, and your oil cap is new and it still leaks, remove your valve cover and the alan bolt near the pcv valve. Chances are that corner has some sludge in it. Also start your car w/ the hose disconnected from the PCV valve and check to see that there is suction there. If there is not, then remove the hose and make sure its not built up.

[Im2Fast4U]

The leaky oil cap is really common with our cars. Get a new cap and I bet it fixes your problem.

[imp pwr online]

Oil cap leakage is an Over pressurized Crank Case issue. Blow by cuases this to occur and a bad PCV valve can help make the issue worse.

Although, under boost, when Blow by is it's worse, the PCV valve is closed to keep positive plenum pressure from entering the Crankcase.

So you may want to do a comp test to check your rings. Excessive blowby will and does make oil come out where ever it can be forced to.

Old worn rubber seal on the oil cap can also be a problem.

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