2010 Honda Pilot: Stuck Oil Cap Fix / Workaround: Posting for future reference

[hefomofi]

Hi I have been changing our own oil for twenty plus years, and have yet to have a stuck oil cap, but this time was a first. Posting for reference in case anyone else has same issue.

Our 2010 Pilot has 20,000 miles. At 5% oil warning, I proceeded to change the oil. I could not get the oil cap off, for the life of me. Tried gloves, strap wrench, nothing worked. I am not sure why the cap would not come off; perhaps it was slightly over tightened.

I check the oil often but during oil lifetime did not ever think to remove the cap because the oil level was always fine. Perhaps with time and heat it seated.

I tried at first just to take regular pliers to the oil cap handle and chipped it just a bit first. This was a no-no.

I purchased a Channel Lock model # 209 Oil Filter / PVC Plier. While it is made to remove the oil filter but not the cap, it adjusts from 1.75" to 3.5". I removed the plastic guard on the top of the engine, and then (very carefully), after putting some duct tape over the plier, backed the oil cap off.

After getting the cap removed, I coated the seal and threads with oil and this time around I won't over-tighten.

[hefomofi]

Here is a picture of the cap, notice the chip on the handle from first attempting to remove with regular pliers.

[hefomofi]

Here are the Channel Lock Pliers mentioned in original thread notes that were used to successfully remove the cap.

Just passing along what worked for me to save someone similar grief.

[hefomofi]

Oh yeah, one more note on the workaround: I had to drive to the hardware store to buy the wrench but the oil was already drained (duh:>). I filled the oil through the dipstick port with a small kitchen funnel (wife wasn't too happy with using a cooking funnel though). I had individual quarts; it didn't take too much longer than the normal oil cap entry.

[hefomofi]

...here is the channel lock wrench...link:

209 Oil Filter/PVC Plier

[samc]

Originally Posted by hefomofi

After getting the cap removed, I coated the seal and threads with oil and this time around I won't over-tighten.

Bravo, that's what I came here to post.

[rocky]

Memo to all: remove fill opening before draining any fluid.