How to remove this cap and replace seal?

[HJ1981]

Hey guys,

for a while i have been trying to pop this cap off. Everyone claims it is "pulls out", but i can not seem to do it.

I tried squashing some thin screwdrivers under the cap, but they are thin and will break if i use too much pressure. vice grips and plumbers pliers did not help.

IMG_2824.jpg

[martauto]

Please excuse me but what is it ?

Mart.

[HJ1981]

It is a cap that covers up the mounting for the gear driven distributor on earlier engines.

Part #24 in real OEM:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=11_0117

[aimlessrock]

why are you removing it?

[flybynite]

Well on top of what you have already tried, some penetrating oil and time, some heat to the block and hit the cap with a pipe freeze spray, or take the sump off and try to get something behind it . All I can think of. As they are NLA you don't want to damage it too much

As above, why do you want it off?

[steve_k]

why are you removing it?

if you remove it you can use a 6mm socket on a drill to turn the oil pump gears to build up oil pressure if the sump as been off or the engine has been rebuilt.

i did it on my last year.

[Gavt]

As well as the heat and freeze method, although its push fit held with an o-ring, trying to twist and pull at the same time.
I used a pipe wrench with soft jaws to hold it. But engine was removed so much easier to get the leverage on it

[HJ1981]

why are you removing it?

because it is leaking engine oil from the seal around it.

As well as the heat and freeze method, although its push fit held with an o-ring, trying to twist and pull at the same time.
I used a pipe wrench with soft jaws to hold it. But engine was removed so much easier to get the leverage on it

I was considering heating it, but was not sure, same with penetrating oil. Will give both a shot, the pipe wrench is the only tool large enough to "grip" that cap but small enough due to space.

[martauto]

I used a pipe wrench with soft jaws to hold it.

Soft jaws on a pipe wrench ????
Please explain, this could be different

Mart.

[Gavt]

I work in the aircraft industry. They have a rubber layer on the jaws originally designed to remove stiff electrical plugs (screw in style) without damaging the external casing of the plug. Not exactly a pipe wrench but same style you could put tape on for similar effect

[HJ1981]

Just picked up a couple of thin head yet sturdier screwdrivers, if they break it's fine they were cheap. Also picked up a beefy pipe wrench as well, hope one of them works.

[HJ1981]

That cap is really stuck on there, she would not budge.

I shall go to the hardware store tomorrow, look for some other tool that can help out, any other suggestion(s) would be appreciated.

[ChrisHC]

why are you removing it?

because it is leaking engine oil from the seal around it.

Have you considered going the other way and trying to seal it externally, perhaps clean off the oil and use super glue?

[HJ1981]

why are you removing it?

because it is leaking engine oil from the seal around it.

Have you considered going the other way and trying to seal it externally, perhaps clean off the oil and use super glue?

I was considering that, but i really do not wish to have some sealant/silikon splattered around it.

After some hard work and massaging, it finally budged! this tool was a bit "beefier" than the regular pipe wrench, but it is finally off.

New o-ring in, everything cleaned. Just came back from a pretty agressive autobahn run, will check on it later when it cools down.