I’m An Idiot - Left Oil Cap Off

Went to do my normal 5K mile oil change today. Opened the hood - immediately realized my cap was gone and I’ve been driving it around like that since my last oil change. I must have set it on the battery or something, closed the hood, and it fell through the bay during driving.

I’ve been a garage mechanic for a long time and have done more oil changes than I can count. Never done this before. Total brain fart.

Fortunately for me, no oil sprayed out as tends to be the case with other vehicles that drive with no cap. The bay was clean. I should have measured the oil before I drained, but didn’t even think to check the stick. When I drained, a lot came out, but I really couldn’t tell exactly how much as my drain pan was already half full. If I had to make an extremely ballpark guess I’d say at least 4 quarts came out. It is very possible that more drained.

How worried should I be? I never had the low oil pressure light come on. I’m hoping that if any particulate got in, it was caught in the filter (which looked extremely clean when I changed it). The truck had been operating normally. Haven’t noticed anything unusual.

Thanks in advance for any info. I’m embarrassed to even admit this.

 

Don't fret, it doesnt really suck much in, and it doesnt spray on the V6, so as long as everything checks out you have nothing to worry about.

 

Been there, done that. I check everything several times now.

 

Your fine, don't worry.

Put a red rag in it so you don't forget.

 

Don't discount that you DID put it back, but that it loosened and fell off. Other threads here on TW about this happening. I know because it happened to me...and I know I put mine on.

Bought a replacement at Auto Zone that has a rubber seal, and no problem since.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-oil-cap-2020.803691/#post-29195431

 

Me - *forgets rag, rag gets blown into engine, engine seizes*

Gonna skip the rag idea lol.

 

depends on the engine. Some engines have a lot of vacuum and trigger CEL. Some do not.

I wouldn’t worry. That’s just me. There’s nothing you can do at this point.

part of the benefit of vacuum in a crankcase is preventing oil from leaking past seals. Doesn’t sound like you have any leaks.
It still should create vacuum. It should still be spraying oil where it needs to go. Etc

 

Damn you. It's midnight here, I'm laying in bed scrolling through TW and see your post. Have a panic attack since I don't actually remember putting the oil cap back on after my last oil change 2K miles ago. Run outside in the cold, in my boxers, pop the hood to check if I actually put it back on.......

It's there. Damn adrenaline is going to keep me up another hour at least.......

 

got my key
Unlocked cargo box
Skip to: lost the key and lock

second box still locked, first box no lock (lost)
Don’t have key for second box (lost)

 

A great idea……I put a funnel in as soon as the cap comes off

 

Synthetic oil is like a fine wine….

good to let it breathe.

 

This has me curious.. what other caps can we leave out and it would still be fine to drive around? Looking to sell some caps if that is the case.

 

Set the oil cap on the hood latch so you can't close the hood without putting it back on



Old school tip I learned at Firestone when I was a wee lad

 

Years ago, when I could afford only VERY old cars, I got used to checking oil level every time I got gas. I still do it on every car I have. Even on a new truck. Gives me a chance to look at everything else under teh hood (brake fluid, coolant, washer fluid, etc).

 

I try to do that every month

 

Did the once on my 1st Gen, set the cap like I always do on top of the fuse box, amazingly it got wedged between the body and frame, didn’t loose it.

 

These things happen and not only at the dealer. That is what cracks me up every time someone slams a dealer for human error.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just chalk it up to a learning experience and you got lucky. Personally I did this once with my moms car and it slung oil in the entire engine compartment. Several cans of degreaser and drying out the distributor and it was good to go.