Oil Fill Tube

[hauserc]

I just purchased a 86 GN with 8600 miles. Totally stock. The only issue that I have (so far) is that the oil filler tube gasket/seal broke apart leaving the oil tubr filler just dangling in place. Fortunately, the gasket pieces didnt fall into the motor. Does anyone know where I can get a good quality stock fitting oil tube filler gasket to replace the missing one? I have seen some of the gaskets at some of the web sites but am not sure which would fit like the original. Hows is the Kirban Brand? My car is totally stock. Thanks

 

[Tin Man]

I remember having that problem long ago. I think I just bought those make your own gasket sheets from the auto parts store and cut it to fit.

 

[hauserc]

I was going to buy from Kirbans/ However, I noticed when I searched the forum for this topic that some people bought a gasket there and the tube was sill somewhat loose. It is an inexpensive part. I think 5.00. Anyone have any advice on the Kirban Gasket? Looks like a descent part but want to make sure I get a tight fit. Thanks

Tin Man, where did you get the kit you were talking about? I just bought my GN so I am learning.

 

[14mins]

you should be able to adjust the 2 tabs on the botom of the oil filler to make a tighter fit. A litlle hammer action should make it snug up better. I have the Kirban gasket as well. Use 2 of them if needed or a kirban and another metal washer.

 

[mikestertwo]

You could do what a lot of guys do and use an oil cap from a front wheel drive car. It eliminates the filler tube and screws directly into the valve cover. The seal is on the cap.

 

[jdpolzin]

Best thing to do is go to your parts store and get 2 o-ring gaskets to make one. That is what I did a while back and it makes the cap fit much tighter on the valve cover. Unless, of course, they have 1 that fits snug.

 

[turbofish38]

It depends on whether you want it to look stock or just stop the oil leak. That silcone one from Kirban will work but after awhile it gets to soft and starts leaking again. Bending the tangs works until a groove gets cut into the bottom side of the valve cover. The problem with these is that instead of taking the cap off most people removed the tube and the tangs got bent out of whack. Heres what I used to do to keep the stock appearance. The black plastic seal was never serviced by GM so you had to buy a new tube. The turbo spec tube was expensive and now its discontinued. What I did was buy a tube for a NA 3.8. It used the same seal. I swapped the seal on to my turbo tube and used a little amount of black RTV on the seal and made sure the tube was nice and tight on the valve cover. Once it is on I leave it there and take the cap off to add oil from there on. Now the NA tube is also discontined so you may have to search the bone yards for a good one now.

 

[Bruce Urie]

Oil filler cap

I agree with MikesterTwo. I did the same thing. When my Dad owned the '87 before me, he was always bitching about the oil filler tube falling off, squirting oil all over the place . Instead of being smart and modifying the tube tabs, putting two homemade gaskets on it, I just replaced with an oil filler cap from some car out of a junkyard. I just took the old tube to the junkyard and found a cap with the same diameter, tabs, etc. Now it doesn't spit oil out Only a real Grand National finatic ever notices this, but I don't really mind. It works great.:biggrin:

Bruce

 

[Bruce Urie]

Oil filler tube

Jeez! Now why in hell didn't I think about what Eric Fisher suggested? That's a great idea. Next time I'm at the rust yard that's exactly what I'll do. It'll be added to the list of tons of other stuff I will be looking. Great idea, Eric. Thanks for the suggestion.

Bruce

 

[Jerryl]

It depends on whether you want it to look stock or just stop the oil leak. That silcone one from Kirban will work but after awhile it gets to soft and starts leaking again...............

Yeah, I noticed the same thing!
I am going to "ask around" for some Buna seals for this fix.

 

[GNTurbo6]

I had a regular old cap when I bought my car. Problem was, the seal on it was old and cracked so a few drips of oil leaked out. You may want to look into getting a breather instead. I just got a replacement tube from a board member and then the gasket from Kirbans, and bent the tabs a little. I think the gasket expands a little after you give it some heat.

 

[dwall]

AAahhh, the crumbling oil fill gasket

Jeremy - this is the one Daryl took me to AutoZone for last August. I bought 3 O-rings to replace the thick crumbled original - They held fine for the 150 miles home and would have lasted longer. I also recommend a generic rubber replacement cap from Bumper to Bumper - it had a full rubber lip around the edge that snapped in tight on the valve cover.

However, if you want to do it right, go here - a perfect fit. Their own design and they are not getting rich on it. Reliable shipping and a good source of other parts too. This one has been no problems for 3 years - and still flexible:

http://www.oldbuickparts.net/catgnt/gnt01.pdf

Scroll down to the top/right of what is labeled as page 5.

 

[usetaboost]

Not a whole lot of info on fill tubes