oil cap leaking

Noticed when I changed my oil yesterday that I had a significantly amount that had leaked around the cap. Not overfilled and this is the first time I've seen it happen. Is the cap just worn out (the car does have 350k)? Doesn't seem to fit loosely, but I think it should seal enough for that to not be happening.

You can buy just a seal and replace it, as the seals do harden and stop sealing well after some length of time.
I've purchased a couple over the years, usually from one of the forum vendors, as a small add-on item tossed in when I'm ordering other maintenance parts or supplies.

38 103 937

Mine was leaky before, I just pulled the seal off and cleaned it real good and it’s been fine since.

I put 2 seals on mine to stop the leak. I think the metal tabs that hold the cap in get little bent after 200k, and putting the extra seal keeps it tight. I'm relatively sure I got it at AutoZone.

I just bought one at Napa this afternoon for safe measures as well. Hope I don't need 2?! I'll buy a new cap if that's the case!

My Golf always has some slight wetness around the cap... I've replaced the seal, replaced the cap, different valve cover at last t-belt change even... still does it. Not awful, not anything I am really concerned with... but after 540k miles, I guess if that is really the worst thing, then that's OK.

I bought a steel oil cap at Oreilly's the last time I was looking for a seal, and it has a bit more tension on the spring that holds the cap down.

So far seems to be keeping mine dry, but it may loosen over time as well.


I had replaced the stock cap's gasket previously, and it worked for a while before it started to weep again.

KrashDH said:

I just bought one at Napa this afternoon for safe measures as well. Hope I don't need 2?! I'll buy a new cap if that's the case!

Click to expand...

I just added the new one with the old one. I'm relatively cheap and the seal was cheaper than the cap.