need last minute advice, leaky oil cap

[sstein]

Hey all. Granted this is last minute, but thought I'd give it a try and see if anyone responds.

My oil cap (on the LHS valve cover) oozes somethin' aweful. has been that way for a while, but slowly getting worse.

I have removed the cap assembly and removed all kinds of gook that appeared to be interfering with the proper seating of the assembly - but since then it has worsened. I think that gook was acting like a sealant.....I never should have removed it. Ultimately I am going to upgrade this....

Any way, supposed to leave tomorrow early for ride to Washington DM - about 500 miles each way.

Any Mcguyver suggestions to slow the weeping of oil from around the cap receptacle? Gorilla tape? Ride all the way with my boot pressing down on the cap? I have already replaced the rubber washer on the cap, and the washer on the assembly. I think it is just poorly designed.

Any help would help!!

Thanks,
Steven

[towerworker]

Steven, just saw your post. I've 70K on my '04 with never a leak concerning the oil fill cap. Since you've already replaced the BMW parts the one thing I can think of would be to visit your local mom & pop hardware store. they should have a selection of various size O-rings most likely in the plumbing area, possibly find one you could stretch over the underside of the cap and maybe give you an added bit of sealing ability? I work for a similar store here in my home town and we have such a resource.

Good luck!

Wayne

[sstein]

Yes Wayne, I was thinking along the same lines. Thanks for the quick response, really much appreciated.

[kirby]

Those oil caps take a bit of a beating from the positive and negative crankcase pressure the boxer engine produces. They plain ware out. Start the engine with it uncapped and It will likely surprise you.
If your going to keep the bike long term you should maybe consider replacing with a metal cap . I bought mine from wunderlitch.com.
Not cheap but will solve the problem permanently.

[sstein]

Yes, I was tinkering with it with the engine running and it blasted out - I got showered with a spray of hot oil.

[beemerron]

They go out-of-round over time, but are cheap and easy to change. I had the metal type on mine but changed back to plastic, upon my mechanics advise. The metal type are secured with set screws that could cause problems if a screw fell out inside your valve cover.

[kirby]

That is what they make thread locker for + I staked mine.