nickb
Junior Member
- Messages
- 40
So, I thought I'd start up the Merak tomorrow and went to add some oil. As I took off the oil filler cap, the two parts came apart and I heard something drop down the filler tube. On inspecting the two parts of the plastic filler cap, there is what looks like the remains of a broken aluminium rivet which extends through the inside part of the cap to connect the two parts. It seems to me that there must have been a washer (possibly plastic - fingers crossed - but maybe metal) on the inside. Whatever was holding the two parts together has now dropped into the engine. Not good, to say the least. I have attached a few photos.
Does anyone with a Merak know what the inside of the filler cap looks like, or can post a pic, so that at least I know what has dropped off?
Tomorrow, when I have calmed down, I will try to remove the black filler tube and hope that I can see (and retrieve) the washer and maybe a bit of broken rivet, which by some miracle may be resting on some engine part within reach of the bottom of the filler tube. What is at the bottom of the filler tube?
If I can't see it, then what are my options? I am obviously not keen to run the engine with the possibility of a washer and a bit of rivet floating around. Do I turn the engine over once, but not start it, in the hope that the items drop down to the sump, or do I get it trailered to a specialist to get the engine dismantled? Or do I just start it and use it and hope for the best.





Does anyone with a Merak know what the inside of the filler cap looks like, or can post a pic, so that at least I know what has dropped off?
Tomorrow, when I have calmed down, I will try to remove the black filler tube and hope that I can see (and retrieve) the washer and maybe a bit of broken rivet, which by some miracle may be resting on some engine part within reach of the bottom of the filler tube. What is at the bottom of the filler tube?
If I can't see it, then what are my options? I am obviously not keen to run the engine with the possibility of a washer and a bit of rivet floating around. Do I turn the engine over once, but not start it, in the hope that the items drop down to the sump, or do I get it trailered to a specialist to get the engine dismantled? Or do I just start it and use it and hope for the best.




