sunny wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:10:the problems in terminology REALLY come into play when you go to the suzuki place and try to order the parts. had to make two trips in dallas lunchtime traffic...
it just really helps us technical (i am in IT) types to use the same identification that are on the microfiches which is what the suzuki folks use.
incidentally, the piece under the nut is called a gasket on the fiches. i also ordered that and the nut just in case.
Needless to say, that is why I usually go around the counter to look at the fiche or the display to help the dealer identify the part. As I am also technical and usually the parts person is not, this makes the whole thing easier.
Another funny part is that a "cap" usually goes down over something like your head, whereas a "plug" is usually stuck inside of something like a hole. In this case, we have a cap that plugs a hole which makes no sense. Therefore, "plug" makes more sense from a functional description no matter what is printed on the fiche. After all, the bolt that is removed to change the oil is universally called a "drain plug" and not a cap. Go figure why the rubber plug is called a cap.
BTW- unless you are changing all 4 of the copper washers (or gaskets) buying just one doesn't get much done. There is one copper "gasket" (or washer) that actually seals an oil passage and that is the right rear "gasket washer" and not the one under your leaking "cap plug"....and before changing any of the cylinder head nuts you best have a torque wrench with a 14 MM socket and extension or you will have a leaking head gasket.
Gee, I wonder why they didn't call the cylinder head a cylinder cap or for that matter why they named the camshaft cover a head cover rather than a head cap or camshaft cap? Either way, I think that I'll continue to call it a plug and point at the picture.