Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Help with my oil cap thingy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:16 PM
  #1  
WolfeMan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Help with my oil cap thingy

First things first, I'm not a mechanic. That should explain a lot of things.

Now, I'm trying to change my oil, but I can't get the oil plug off (the one on the top of the engine). It just clicks, and won't loosen. What should I do?
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #2  
storm101's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 4
From: Northfield MN
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 v8
Default

if it just clicks I'm betting you are turning it the wrong way. I'm assuming it's the oil fill cap btw.

however if you are going the right way try pushing down on it while turning it.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:31 PM
  #3  
WolfeMan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by storm101
if it just clicks I'm betting you are turning it the wrong way. I'm assuming it's the oil fill cap btw.

however if you are going the right way try pushing down on it while turning it.
Oil fill cap. yes, that makes sense. Counter-clockwise, right? I've tried holding it down with no success.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:35 PM
  #4  
storm101's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 4
From: Northfield MN
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 v8
Default

just spin it the other way, I know mine when tight just clicks when you try to go more, maybe the cap wore out or something, but just try it the other way, if it clicks both ways it's broke lol
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:38 PM
  #5  
dfm_13's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt 6cyl
Default

this happened to me. what you have to do is take a screwdriver and pop the cap off. then you can take some pliers and grab the rest of it, then once its out you can just pop the 2 pieces back together just don't lose the spring that goes between them,
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:39 PM
  #6  
WolfeMan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by storm101
just spin it the other way, I know mine when tight just clicks when you try to go more, maybe the cap wore out or something, but just try it the other way, if it clicks both ways it's broke lol
Yes, it does and I think it is.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:49 PM
  #7  
fadedblackxj's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Groton, Ct
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The same thing happened to me. I just popped the top off the cap off. The bottom half of mine was yellow. You'll see that the yellow teeth are worn. All i did was put some pliers in the whole and open them. Then turn left it should come out. Them go to nappa and get a new one.......heheh
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 05:57 PM
  #8  
UserID6095's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by fadedblackxj
The same thing happened to me. I just popped the top off the cap off. The bottom half of mine was yellow. You'll see that the yellow teeth are worn. All i did was put some pliers in the whole and open them. Then turn left it should come out. Them go to nappa and get a new one.......heheh
This.

I wish Chrysler would of spent a few bucks and used decent parts on such a great engine.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 06:40 PM
  #9  
WolfeMan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yes, the teeth were stripped and I was able to get the cap off with a screwdriver and pliers.

Sorry if I offended anyone with my simplistic thread for a problem, I'll admit, I didn't search for an answer to before posting. I was in a race to get it done before nightfall, and I didn't want to screw anything up and I knew I could get a quick answer here.

Thanks for all the help everyone!
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 06:41 PM
  #10  
Bustedknuckle's Avatar
Old Skewl CF like a Sir
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 3
From: Fort Myers, FL
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output OBDII
Default

I thought they were designed to break that way.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 07:01 PM
  #11  
buckshot500's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Clover, S.C.
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by WolfeMan
Yes, the teeth were stripped and I was able to get the cap off with a screwdriver and pliers.

Sorry if I offended anyone with my simplistic thread for a problem, I'll admit, I didn't search for an answer to before posting. I was in a race to get it done before nightfall, and I didn't want to screw anything up and I knew I could get a quick answer here.

Thanks for all the help everyone!
Hey the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

98% of the people on here learned how to wrench the same way you are learning. Get yourself a Chilton's or Hayne's manual from Napa auto parts, worth the $20.00 for sure.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 07:40 PM
  #12  
CAEMI's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by WolfeMan
Yes, the teeth were stripped and I was able to get the cap off with a screwdriver and pliers.

Sorry if I offended anyone with my simplistic thread for a problem, I'll admit, I didn't search for an answer to before posting.

That's not a problem...but don't ever use the word "thingy" again. Anyone that can operate pliers cannot use that word.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2010 | 08:05 PM
  #13  
WolfeMan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by CAEMI
That's not a problem...but don't ever use the word "thingy" again. Anyone that can operate pliers cannot use that word.
How about doohickey? Can I use that?
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 06:31 AM
  #14  
CAEMI's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by WolfeMan
How about doohickey? Can I use that?
No, you may not. That is why God created Google, so you can look up the name of parts.


You've got to know I'm kidding...just in case somebody thinks maybe I'm not.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 02:57 PM
  #15  
damageincracing's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 4
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Doohickey, thingy, thingamabob, whatzit, whozit, whatchamacallit. All of those (and ones like them) can not be used by anybody with the ability to use a pair of pliers. Continued use of those words will result in you being required to go into an auto parts store and ask for a left handed metric crescent wrench to remove a blinker fluid cap, a set of muffler bearings, and 5 pounds of light weight lead...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:32 PM.