No plug on oil filter holder

The last time that I had my oil changed, I took my truck to the dealer to have it done. Well, today I needed to change my oil again but this time I had some spare time and decided to do change it myself. When I was about to replace the oil filter I noticed that the little rubber cap was missing on the bottom of the filter holder. I make sure that I put it back on every time I change the oil, so I believe my dealership forgot to replace it. My question is how important is that little cap. Should I go ahead and replace the filter and change the oil or should I go get another cap first.

 

It's just to hold in the drips...I've been driving around without one for like 10K miles now.

If you are really motivated- You can run some tubing to catch the oil and drain it down to the frame inside the tire for easy clean up.

 

i have never had that alittle cap on there. its nothing. just put a plastic bottle under it when you change your oil to catch the little bit that comes out when u take the filter off.

 

Thanks guys. I didnt think it was much, but i wanted to be sure.

 

yeah your fine,its just the drain plug for the oil filter catch basin. but if you do want something on it just pick up a rubber cap and some tubing next time your at the hardware store

 

If you ever swing by the dealership just let them know what happened and hopefully they will just give you another one.

 

My local garage did not attach mine last month! They also left the cut bottle below it catching the oil. Went to local Advanced Auto Parts Store. Pick up 5/16 rubber vacuum cap part #47394 $2.89. Great fix.

 

I do all my oil changes ...and just last week, my rubber plug was gone. I'm usually very religious about getting things back together. Either I forgot to put it back on or it fell off (stretched from all these years)??

I was gonna create a new forum post called "I lost my Nipple Cover" but I decided against it as it would probably get ugly really quick.