sliimhashe

Ok...so i went to Berlink Turnpike (about a 45 minute highway drive), and on the way home i did 100+ mph the whole way. I got home, and my car smelled really bad like gasoline. So I stopped in a parking lot and popped the hood. My friend and I couldnt find anything with gasoline, but we saw that the oil cap wasnt on and there was oil all over the grey matting under the hood, and all over the valve cover.
Now...could the oil cap have popped off while driving? Or...has the cap been off for the past 2 weeks? (the last time I added oil)... Wouldnt the oil light come on, or wouldn't the check engine light come on or something? I only lost 1/4 quart of oil, but is my car going to be ok?? Or do you think I damaged something?? Please help me, I dont think i will be able to sleep tonight because of this.

CBeyond

If you only lost 1/4 quart of oil, I don't see how you could have damaged anything. You need a replacement cap, and a cleaning of the engine compartment, but no big deal. Tighten it better next time.

cdelena

Probably was not tightened.. happens all the time. Most times it winds up wedged between the engine and the firewall.

HI SPEEDR

Your mechanic slipped you the shaft by not tightening the oil cap. Just get a new cap, add the oil and clean up the mess. Also, call your mechanic to bitch about it. Of course they'll deny it though. Next time you have your oil changed, check all the caps and you'll stay out of trouble.

sliimhashe

Ok, thanks guys. I am gonna degrease under my hood today, thanks alot!

Saint_Spinner

I heard its a common thing on the S. The vibrations of the motor woud cause the cap to unscrew itself...

jojipoji

make sure when you put the oil cap on when adding oil that the rubber ring that goes on the cap is attached. If it isnt then the vibrations will eventually untighten the cap. I know from experience.

xviper

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jojipoji
[B]make sure when you put the oil cap on when adding oil that the rubber ring that goes on the cap is attached.

Kodokan_4

I've read a lot of posts about the oil dipstick coming loose as well.

I think the most common recommendation is to wipe off all of the oil from the rubber part at the top of the dipstick, and wipe any oil away from the top of the insertion point.

Whenever I replace the oil cap, I also make sure it, and the filler hole, are completely dry. I've never had any issues with either of them coming loose.

I'm wondering if the cap came off just before you stopped to check it.

I would have guessed that your whole engine compartment would get sprayed with oil, because of the high RPMs.

I think you kind of lucked out.

-Pete