Missing oil filler cap/damage to engine?

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Maz

Guru
Hi people,

I don't know if this is off-topic, apologies if it is...maybe it's 'know-how' but it's nowt to do with bikes.

I topped up the oil in my car a few days ago and absent-mindedly must've got distracted and forgot to replace it. I've now lost the cap and it's been driven around the last couple of days (20miles-ish?).

Simple mistake, now I'm wondering what damage I may have done to the engine. Does anyone know? :laugh:

Need to get a replacement (Scrapyard? e-bay?).

Thanks
Maz.
 
I don't know but can I be the first one to call you a dipstick.......:laugh:

Did the oil light come on at all? If it just flickered and the engine doesn't sound or feel different you probably got away with it, albeit it might have shortened it's life a bit. More info required?
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
Maz said:
Hi people,

I don't know if this is off-topic, apologies if it is...maybe it's 'know-how' but it's nowt to do with bikes.

I topped up the oil in my car a few days ago and absent-mindedly must've got distracted and forgot to replace it. I've now lost the cap and it's been driven around the last couple of days (20miles-ish?).

Simple mistake, now I'm wondering what damage I may have done to the engine. Does anyone know? :laugh:

Need to get a replacement (Scrapyard? e-bay?).

Thanks
Maz.


I'd say you probably haven't done much damage, but the only car I ever owned was so old and shot it probably wouldn't have hurt to have fed dried peas into the sump... Maybe if you have one of these new fangled cars with computer chips, it's different.

Scrapyard is a good place to get a replacement, esp if you have a good big one nearby that sort components and have a sales counter... But'd I'd have thought it's the sort of thing you could get from a motor parts store...
 

walker

New Member
Location
Bromley, Kent
as Gary said, you might end up having to top up more than normal as the oil might or will come out. you might get a little smoke as well as the oil might burn on the hot engine/rad. Best to get a replacment though.
 
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Maz

Maz

Guru
Thanks for the info.
I didn't notice the oil pressure light come on (it's a year 2000 mazda 323) - I would definitely have seen it had it been flashing. Only noticed it today as there was a smell of oil. Fingers crossed no long-term damage.
 

Smokin Joe

Legendary Member
I'd say the same as Keith, provided the oil level has not dropped below the minimum you have no worries.

BTW, regarding the oil light when that does come on it is already to late, your engine is stuffed.
 
Maz said:
Thanks for the info.
I didn't notice the oil pressure light come on (it's a year 2000 mazda 323) - I would definitely have seen it had it been flashing. Only noticed it today as there was a smell of oil. Fingers crossed no long-term damage.

It'll be OK then; just the mess.
 
Smokin Joe said:
..
BTW, regarding the oil light when that does come on it is already to late, your engine is stuffed.

It can flash on and off as you go round bends or brake if your oil level gets very low. Depends a bit on the car, the switch and the pump. If it comes on and stay on you're right, you've got less than half a mile before the car dies.
 

simonali

Guru
gary r said:
ive done that before,The engine bay & underside of the bonnet was a bit of a mess !!!but no long term damage done

Same here. Drove from Silverstone back to Windsor with no 710 cap and no harm done. Even drove to the dealer the next day to get the new cap!
 

simonali

Guru
Smokin Joe said:
BTW, regarding the oil light when that does come on it is already to late, your engine is stuffed.

That depends if it's the oil pressure warning lamp or the oil level one. If it's the former you need to turn off the engine as soon as you can, if it's the latter you just need to top the oil up (obviously the sooner the better, but you won't kill your motor driving it home).
 
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OP
Maz

Maz

Guru
Thanks. Got a new cap on order. Couldn't get one off a scrappy for love nor money. Oil spray didn't look too bad so hopefully no lasting damage.
Ta.
 

bonj2

Guest
if it's been raining A LOT then water might have got in it, but at the end of the day probably won't have, you should be alright.
 
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