ChasFenwick

Over the years I've owned dozens of cars, and done much of the routine servicing myself, but I've never encountered anything like this.

Yesterday I undertook to perform the second oil change on my 1999 LS400 (it has very low mileage for a 99) and after draining oil and changing filter I discovered to my amazement that I could not remove the oil filler cap.

When rotating it counter-clockwise, it would just do a plastic-to-plastic ratchet, kind of like one of those child-proof plastic pill bottles.

After trying everything I could think of (squeezing while turning, pushing in, pulling out, etc.) I removed the upper engine shield so that I could get large water pump pliers firmly around it (protecting the rim with duct tape), in which case it came right off.

After adding the oil, I gently screwed the cap back on, with only 2 "clicks" after firming up to a stop. Trying to unscrew it, I again discovered that it just ratchets freely.

This seems a bit el cheapo crappy for a car in this price class!

Is this a generally recognized problem???

VQT

Better complain to the dealer.
I never encounter this on any car of my car yet.

ChasFenwick

Unfortunately, living out in the boonies as I do, it is a 600-mile round trip to the dealer. I do expect to schedule the car in for "30,000 mile service," but that will be more than a year from now, maybe closer to 2 years.

This isolation enforces a greater degree of "self reliance" than is necessary in the more densely populated parts of the country!

I drove my 1990 LS400 for 7-1/2 years without having anything break, so that is what gave me the confidence to take a chance on another one.

RODDMOD

Should have kept the 1990.

VQT

The dealer should replace the oil cap free of change.

Good Luck