Can the gas cap rubber seal be replaced?

[80GS850GBob]

I did a search and found nothing, so I thought I'd ask here.
Can the gas cap rubber seal be replaced? I see that the two inside phillips screws can be removed along with the plastic inner cap - giving me access to remove the seal and metal washer - but looking at any micro phish and seeing only the whole cap assembly, is there just a replacement seal for it?

...I probably wouldn't have worried about it so much, but I was polishing up the s/s cap cover the other day and noticed a tiny crack in the outside of the rubber seal....

 

[Guest]

Replaceable yes, can you get one though? does it matter?

 

[Gorminrider]

funny, I was just thinking about replacing mine...I think I'll need to make one from nitrile or viton rubber sheet if I can findsome of the right thickness...perhaps even cut up some mechanic gloves... It'd be nice to have a bike that didn't dump it's gas when dropped when they do seem to be designed to not do that.

NOT innertube rubber though. I seem to recall trying it several times and having it come apart (being butyl rubber)

 

[80GS850GBob]

The slight partial hairline crack in mine would be trivial, as small as it is...but it's one of those things that begs - "while I'm here working on it, I should look into fixing it before it becomes a real problem someday".
My question is what have folks used to replace the original one with...it's gotta be pliable to seal well and gas resistant so it doesn't melt. For me to spend around $35 for a new retro cap isn't that bad, but a lessor cost would fix this - once I figure out what would work well in this case. Cutting one out would be easy enough once the ID and OD measurements are obtained...thickness too.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Replaceable yes, can you get one though? does it matter?

"get one" - meaning something comparable - yes that's the question.
"does it matter" - it just keeps the gas from possibly spilling out, when full or full enough, from bumps and the like while riding....so, yes.
{I recently replaced all my coil wires and caps on the oem coils....this seems an easier task}

 

[Guest]

Just remember, what every product you find to replace it make sure it's fuel resistant. Even though fuel will never touch it I would think that the fumes alone over time will cause breakdown.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Just remember, what every product you find to replace it make sure it's fuel resistant. Even though fuel will never touch it I would think that the fumes alone over time will cause breakdown.

"Full tank splash" would do it as well as the constant vapor thing...the search for a workable source is in the works.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Just sent off an inquiry to "rubbercal.com" to see what they recommend for this and to see if I can just get a 3" x3" piece....I'll report back when an answer is had.

...edit- 1/8" thick since the oem item is coming in at .115 thick per my digi caliper

 

[80GS850GBob]

Ok...learned something today.
No reply from rubbercal, but I needn't worry about that any more. I actually took apart the gas cap and looked at the seal.....no one is going to be able to simply replace the gasket since it's far more then that.
A) it has a metal cap that provides a downward pressure assist to the seal....yes, one could transplant that, but wait...
B) the side profile is that of a flat to seal to the tank with, with an upward sleave to seal to the ID of the gas cap body...and...there's another lip on top of that to aid in, what I have to figure on, setting the depth for from under the cap.
C) this isn't just a flat seal.....looks like I'll be buying an ebay cap {$21/free ship} to borrow the seal from so I can keep to just one key for the bike{my original premise}

...here you can see the spring metal assist...

 

[80GS850GBob]

Here you can see the side profile of the seal


An additional note- should you choose ebay, look carefully at the multi pics of any auction! There's one I saw with a ribbed sealing surface, instead of smooth. I...uh...doubt that type would aid in your riding pleasure.....CYCLES of course!{lol...family site}

 

[80GS850GBob]

Just for a reference- I'll probably be buying mine from Too fast Moto.....has the same smooth seal surface as oem and has better centered locking tabs - some of the other offerings are rather off center and the locking tabs even look like plastic!
Mind the s/s cover too - oem wraps all the way over the cast base and has bend in locking tabs to add in securing it on....a lot of the cheap ebay, or otherwise, offerings are short in wrap around...it might show....it might not.
{wish these cycles had flip up pivoted caps....oh well.....}

 

[limeex2]

I need 3 gaskets. Can you let us know if this fix works? I don't want to get a new paint job and then use a old gasket.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Will do...part is on its way

 

[80GS850GBob]

Parts came in today....so here we go...

Old cap on the left - new one on the right. Supplied keys won't go in the old cap.....must be a different blank type.
-Note the oem has a large venting system, which will need to be removed to access the seal. Slightly different casting on the underside fo the cap....but really minor.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Seals off.....aside from a slight top shoulder, very slight, they are the same.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Under side view....

 

[80GS850GBob]

New seal was a tight fit going on the old cap- but I'd expect that. New seal on, unit reassembled and she fits nice and snug on the tank,

 

[chuck hahn]

So.....maybe the manufacturer would work with you to sell you a set number of just the seals and you can flip them here for a few bucks extra bucks for your trouble???? Maybe message the seller and see if they are the actual manufacturer or if they can hook you up with the suppliers???

 

[80GS850GBob]

So.....maybe the manufacturer would work with you to sell you a set number of just the seals and you can flip them here for a few bucks extra bucks for your trouble???? Maybe message the seller and see if they are the actual manufacturer or if they can hook you up with the suppliers???

I rather doubt the seller is the manufacturer....just a sales point. At $21 and some high change {free ship} I say try one and see if you like it. You get two 10% off coupons with the item when it arrives, so the next two will be a tad cheaper.....but I think $22 to fix this is not too bad....add, there's no way you can get just a seal from the dealer unless it's a whole cap {$$$}.

I can add one other alternative for you, but can't speak of how well it would work........carefully cut off the actual sealing surface while leaving the flex piece and top shouldered section - then find a new sealing surface of the same material and thickness and stack them to mimic the original.....it might work.......?{idk}

 

[Guest]

Great thread, thanks for following this thru. Will be a good resource for everyone.