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Oil fill cap issue

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Old Feb 11, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #1  
bluj99's Avatar
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Year: 1999
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Default Oil fill cap issue

hello,

I hope someone with more know how can help me.

I was attempting to change my oil today (it was half-way nice out for once) along with ording my new Hub. Anyway after I opend the hood and tried to twist off the oil fill cap and I cant get it off. What I mean is I hear some kind of clicking noise from it and it is hard to twist off and wont turn or pull out. I was wondering how to fix this issue. Honsitly I didnt overtightin last oil change just enough where it stoped. so much for the 3000 mile rule this week luckly I went to full synthetic a few changes back so I think I can wait a bit longer

Thanks in advance
Best Regards
Mike.
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Old Feb 11, 2009 | 06:42 PM
  #2  
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From: tan house white shutters key's under the flower pot
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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this is a common problem. the oil cap is in two peices. there's a spring inside, and it ratchets when you tighten to avoid over tightening. well that ends up not working and doing what you're saying. the top peice is turning, but the part thats in the valve cover is not. very easy fix, pry the top half of the cap off with a screw driver. now you'll see the part in the valve cover. slip joint pliers work the best to remove it now since its completely round, just grab it with the pliers and loosen it.

now when you get a new one, the aftermarket caps i've seen are all one peice, i'd rather go that way, the dealer cap is the same design if you get it from there.
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #3  
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Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
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I had the same problem today. Thanks for the help.
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 04:41 PM
  #4  
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From: tan house white shutters key's under the flower pot
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0
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wow, did you do a search and find that? glad it helped.
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 12:28 AM
  #5  
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Year: 1995
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yeah, i was freaking out. ha. i thought the problem was me. i had my brother try to get it off and he was like maybe something is broken in the cap so i searched it. I was really surprised to find this. it was very helpful. thank you.
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Old Jan 20, 2013 | 03:57 PM
  #6  
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From: Winston-Salem,NC
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Cherokee oil fill cap clicking.....

I know this is an old post but I had it happen to me today and I was like WTF... Then I said... Self, I bet this is not new and I came to the computer and what did I find..It is a common issue and easy to fix, tomorrow! It's BEER-Thirty and the games are on.
Thanks CF! from a newbie!
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 06:33 AM
  #7  
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From: Anderson, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I knew you guys would have an answer, welp looks like I'm getting an new oil fill cap
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 08:20 AM
  #8  
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
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From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
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Well I've been on here a while and didn't know that about my cap either. like I say, I learn something new every day here.
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 08:30 AM
  #9  
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From: Anderson, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I know. I need to stop reading so many threads, I'm beginning to feel like an XJ hypochondriac.
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 08:53 AM
  #10  
Larry's XJ's Avatar
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From: Lapeer, Murder Mitten
Year: 2000
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Engine: 4.0 I6
Talking

Originally Posted by BrawnyDog
I know. I need to stop reading so many threads, I'm beginning to feel like an XJ hypochondriac.
I hear that ^^.
Even if I don't remember specifics, hopefully at least one brain cell will light up.

Last edited by Larry's XJ; Jan 16, 2015 at 08:53 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Oct 22, 2017 | 01:51 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by bluj99
hello,

I hope someone with more know how can help me.

I was attempting to change my oil today (it was half-way nice out for once) along with ording my new Hub. Anyway after I opend the hood and tried to twist off the oil fill cap and I cant get it off. What I mean is I hear some kind of clicking noise from it and it is hard to twist off and wont turn or pull out. I was wondering how to fix this issue. Honsitly I didnt overtightin last oil change just enough where it stoped. so much for the 3000 mile rule this week luckly I went to full synthetic a few changes back so I think I can wait a bit longer

Thanks in advance
Best Regards
Mike.
pop the cap off with a screw driver, i used a nickel and a pair of needle nosed vice grips, the nickel fits in the splines perfectly, worked like a charm
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Old Oct 22, 2017 | 03:58 PM
  #12  
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
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From: York PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
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Originally Posted by Baxter
pop the cap off with a screw driver, i used a nickel and a pair of needle nosed vice grips, the nickel fits in the splines perfectly, worked like a charm
This thread is 8 years old. I’m sure OP had long since fixed the issue.
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Old Oct 22, 2017 | 10:10 PM
  #13  
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Well, while we're on the subject, I usually have to take mine off in 2 pieces. Any harm in gluing them together?
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Old Oct 23, 2017 | 08:41 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy
This thread is 8 years old. I’m sure OP had long since fixed the issue.
since I just tried to take my cap off yesterday, and it did the same thing, i found this thread by googling. I don't give a baker's damn how old the thread is, it helped me, so I left how I did it for future reference, smart guy....
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Old Oct 23, 2017 | 12:45 PM
  #15  
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From: York PA
Year: 2001
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Default

Originally Posted by Baxter
since I just tried to take my cap off yesterday, and it did the same thing, i found this thread by googling. I don't give a baker's damn how old the thread is, it helped me, so I left how I did it for future reference, smart guy....
LOL, bakers damn. I’m putting that in my lexicon.
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