1st oil change, what is this spring inside oil fill

[sailmakered]

Hi all,

Just finished the first oil change on my new 78 Catalina 27. PO said engine was rebuilt. Looks like the block is from a V-Drive model as oil fill is on transmission cover. Rest of motor looks to be late model. I used the transmission cover removal method & with my fine china harbor freight drill pump the change was easy.

The weird thing was the cone shaped heavy spring inside the oil fill. Any use for this thing? It came out way too easy & I would sure hate to have it drop into the transmission. I have not reinstalled the spring at this time. Any ideas? Detective work on old boats sure is fun

[roadnsky]

The weird thing was the cone shaped heavy spring inside the oil fill. Any use for this thing? It came out way too easy & I would sure hate to have it drop into the transmission. I have not reinstalled the spring at this time. Any ideas? Detective work on old boats sure is fun

Any chance you can snap a picture and post it?

[sailmakered]

Here it is.

[roadnsky]

Well I can certainly explain what you should do with the can...
...but don't recognize the spring.

Anyone else?

[sailmakered]

There is no problem with the can mmmmm good

[JOHN COOKSON]

A Long Shot

While I was adding oil to my late model A4 I noticed I had left a plastic ring from the cap around the oil jug. To prevent the ring from falling down onto the engine I removed it before pouring the oil in.

So anyway the spring may be to prevent foreign stuff from getting into the engine by way of the oil fill.

TRUE GRIT

[Dave Neptune]

Looks like

Looks like a bicycle seat spring to me!

Dave Neptune

[sailmakered]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the mystery continues. I don't see any reason for it except possible transmission destruction, it will remain in the drawer