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MG TD TF 1500 - Oil Fill Cap

The oil fill cap-original type-comes off while driving. I cannot tell if it is worn and no longer fit tightly enough. I am thinking of getting a new from Moss. Anyone have the same problem? Thanks for help.

Gary
Gary Krafft

Yes, mine popped off once or twice. I have a safety chain on it just in case and watch it closely. If you get a new one please post here if it was worth it or not.
Ed
efh Haskell

The 'safety chain' is a standard OEM item. The inside of the filler cap contains a circular piece of copper that has a bunch of notches in it. (very technical). It acts as a spring to hold the cap in position. Pushing down of the knob in the center of the cap acts to lock the cap in place. Check inside of your cap. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Hi Gary,

Bud is correct in saying the Enots action patented copper 'fingers'are the key to holding the cap firmly onto the valve cover body.

However,to also guarantee a leak free cap,you may want to fit a nitrile decent gasket instead of the original cork junk located under the cap itself.

One method I discussed on how to go about this is in the BBS Archives under 'Valve Cover Cap'.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Gary, I made my own filler cap gasket from some paper type gasket material. The outside diameter was simple but the inside diameter of the gasket took a little longer. By carefully placing it in the cap and sliding it under the copper piece that Bud mentioned, it finally fit in place. Now no more oil weeping or blowing out from under the cap onto the rocker cover. Not difficult but like most of our MG jobs, it just took time and patience.
Jim Merz

My cap seems to pop off on almost all drives and I get the oil smell and coming out of the louvrers just as described in the archive. I thought it might be pressure in the valve cover but I am thinking it is just normal vibration that causes it to pop off. The cap looks to be it OK shape. Could replacing the gasket help keep the cap in place? The chain is in place so it stays on the valve cover when it pops off.

Gary
Gary Krafft

Hi Gary,

The gasket will certainly assist in getting a nice tight fit of the cap onto the rocker cover.In fact,to release the cap,you need to pull up quite hard on the centre finger hold knob to release the copper fingers!

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

The Gasket in my original fell apart. How have others replaced this without taking the rivet that holds the fingers in place off?

As for the Moss cap. It comes in brass and it a bugger to snap in place correctly. Not correct and you get that lovely coating of oil over your engine and engine compartment.
Bruce Cunha

I had a rather bad experience with the oil cap for my TF1500. I got it from Moss, and it didn't fit. The cap was too large, no way was that thing going to ever fit into the hole in the valve cover.

I paid a dear price to have the one that came on the car cleaned up and replated. Still not too happy with it but at least it can be put on and removed. Since it had gotten very dirty in trying to make it work I never returned the new one to Moss.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

I am thinking that I may already have a Moss replacement cap. The gasket is not cork and it is very hard to get it to "snap" into place and stay there. Any other replica replacement caps out there. It does look good but I would also like it to stay in place.

Gary
Gary Krafft

Gary, an other loose caps,,
I have just the opposite problem,,, the cap is a bit difficult to put on, and when it is on, it is difficult to get off!,,
Is there an "outside possibility" that your cap is not completely on in the first place???

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve, The cap is very difficult to snap into place and I suspect there is a high probability that I have not gotten it properly in place. When I do think I have it right then it is hard to get off. I guess it is just the way it is but it seems that an oil filler cap should be an easier proposition.

Gary
Gary Krafft

gary,
Then your cap is OK ! Better to have it on tight than to have it loose and fall off!!

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Just in case the sequence hasn't been mentioned --- To install the cap you center the copper fingers on the opening in the cap and press down on the cap until the fingers snap into position. The you press down on the knob in the center of the cap. When it goes down, you've locked the cap in position. To remove the cap -- pull up on the small knob (this unlocks the cap) and then lift the cap off of the cover. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Our TD has that same cap (cast cover, no provision for a breather). I got my cap from Advance Auto Parts. Nice well made chrome cap for about six bucks. It is important to maintain the breather.
-David
D. Sander

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2011 and 22/08/2011

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