Loose Power Steering Tank Cap

Apparently it's a common problem as Ferrari has come out with a replacement tank (Ricambi $143 - part no. 167002). After all the money I have already spent on the major service and also not wanting to take on the task of changing the tank and spilling oil, I chose to experiment. The cap has expanded from the engine heat that it's now oversized and barely holding on three threads of the tank.
I bought a spray can of paintable rubber undercoating. I removed the dip stick attachment, masked the inside except for the threads (used a compass to cut a piece of cardboard with hole in center) and then masked the outside of the cap. Then sprayed about 10-15 thin coats allowing to dry to the touch. Checked the fit periodically as I built up the thickness. (I wiped the bottom edge of the cap each time . Once fit is good (still some play), then let it dry overnight and then sprayed with high temp engine enamel.(about 3 coats).
When re-installing. make sure the 2 spacers are UNDER the tank mounting which raises the tank enough so that the cap can be tightened right down. I took my first drive after modifying the cap and it seems to work.

 

First of all, the rubber undercoating dries firm as it's paintable. Also my reason for overcoating with 3 coats of engine enamel. There's little chance of debris getting into the tank as there is a rubber gasket in the cap for sealing purposes. Just be careful when unscrewing the cap. So far, I have driven the car twice for at least one hour each and checked the cap for tightness and also removed cap for inspection of threads - all OK so far.

 

I did try teflon tape originally but the cap had expanded too much for teflon tape to work. As I had described, I was able to pull the cap right off after screwing it down with engine cold!

 

Could always use a hose clamp as I saw in one of the threads.

 

Less chance of making a mess with oil spillage with my DIY solution.
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