Leaving the oil cap off

I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It was
lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have been
using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
blunder?

Thanks.

Chris

"Christopher Wong" <cwong@world.std.com> wrote in message
news:r56dnQyic_oPkIvYnZ2dnUVZ_vydnZ2d@rcn.net...[color=blue]
>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
> and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It
> was
> lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
> dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
> Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have
> been
> using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
> from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
> blunder?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Chris[/color]

As long as the oil level did not get dangerously low on the dipstick, there
should not be any ill effects on the engine.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Christopher Wong"
Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering[color=blue]
> from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
> blunder?
>[/color]

None.

Huw

"Christopher Wong" <cwong@world.std.com> wrote in message
news:r56dnQyic_oPkIvYnZ2dnUVZ_vydnZ2d@rcn.net...[color=blue]
>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
> and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It
> was
> lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
> dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
> Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have
> been
> using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
> from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
> blunder?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Chris[/color]

That happened with me and Wal-Mart, but it was a *loose* cap. I wasn't as
lucky as you. I had driven on the highway, etc. I just thank God it didn't
fly off until I was driving in town, only (Amazingly) 2 blocks from where
that very Wal-Mart was located. I called and made them get their asses
right to where I was, and fix it. Never went to Wal-Mart for oil changes
again.

I take it to the dealer, now. It's worth the extra few bucks, IMO.

Natalie

On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 23:46:10 -0500, Christopher Wong
<cwong@world.std.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
>and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It was
>lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
>dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
>Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have been
>using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
>from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
>blunder?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Chris[/color]


I guess you only had it off for a little while. So moisture or foregn
particles had little time to become introduced into your engine. IMHO,
then you should not ill effects on the engine.

hth,

tom @ [url]www.NoCostAds.com[/url]

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:56:04 -0400, Tom The Great <Post@here.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 23:46:10 -0500, Christopher Wong
><cwong@world.std.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
>>and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It was
>>lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
>>dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
>>Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have been
>>using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
>>from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
>>blunder?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>Chris[/color]
>
>
>I guess you only had it off for a little while. So moisture or foregn
>particles had little time to become introduced into your engine. IMHO,
>then you should not ill effects on the engine.
>
>hth,
>
>tom @ [url]www.NoCostAds.com[/url]
>
>[/color]


This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
your car that you can NOT observe?
Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
vending machines in a confined area etc.

I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
asked ...
A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.

MO full name wrote:[color=blue]
> This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
> your car that you can NOT observe?
> Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
> vending machines in a confined area etc.
>
> I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
> fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
> cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
> asked ...
> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]

Just imagine the same thing but with your body. Imagine letting some knife
weilding clowns open you up like filletting a fish and doing some component
repair before sowing your up again. A certain proportion of operations are
bound to go wrong with either something being left out, left in, or some
infection or poor workmanship causing further problems.
Fact is, shit happens. Don't worry about it unduly but do everything in your
power to increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Huw

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:57:48 +0100, "Huw"
<hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
[color=blue]
>MO full name wrote:[color=green]
>> This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
>> your car that you can NOT observe?
>> Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
>> vending machines in a confined area etc.
>>
>> I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
>> fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
>> cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
>> asked ...
>> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]
>
>Just imagine the same thing but with your body. Imagine letting some knife
>weilding clowns open you up like filletting a fish and doing some component
>repair before sowing your up again. A certain proportion of operations are
>bound to go wrong with either something being left out, left in, or some
>infection or poor workmanship causing further problems.
>Fact is, shit happens. Don't worry about it unduly but do everything in your
>power to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
>
>Huw
>[/color]

Like one place the foreman said: "We do shitty work but we do a lot of
it."

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:57:48 +0100, "Huw"
<hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
[color=blue]
>MO full name wrote:[color=green]
>> This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
>> your car that you can NOT observe?
>> Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
>> vending machines in a confined area etc.
>>
>> I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
>> fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
>> cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
>> asked ...
>> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]
>
>Just imagine the same thing but with your body. Imagine letting some knife
>weilding clowns open you up like filletting a fish and doing some component
>repair before sowing your up again. A certain proportion of operations are
>bound to go wrong with either something being left out, left in, or some
>infection or poor workmanship causing further problems.
>Fact is, shit happens. Don't worry about it unduly but do everything in your
>power to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
>
>Huw
>[/color]
and fight National Health Care at every turn....


--

Scott in Florida

On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:35:03 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
>>Fact is, shit happens. Don't worry about it unduly but do everything in your
>>power to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
>>
>>Huw
>>[/color]
>and fight National Health Care at every turn....[/color]


Especially if one only makes about 40k a year <grin>
WTF OT - again

In article <2epdh29mpthopv1i0rmooi7jmmu8pdjbv6@4ax.com>,
MO full name <nospam@hole.org> wrote:
[color=blue]
> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]

Good suggestion.
I used Mr. Lube once and they only hand tightened the oil drain plug.
Suddenly I was using oil. So next time I changed it myself and
discovered what had happened.
I'll never go there again.
I find our local Speedy very good, less than a 30 min. wait and I can
actually see my car.
At my dealers my car disappears to some inner room and it's a 4 hr wait.

(this is not personal, to all readers in general)

If for some reason you feel incapable of doing an oil change yourself,
which I find laughable in at least 90% of cases, then by all means take
the time to check the level and condition of the oil ASAP after an oil
change. Also, take a look at the filter to see if it *looks* new.
Crooked as well as incompetent shops abound (as well as do honest and
conscientious ones), so it's up to *you* to check their work or be
prepared to pay the price of a new engine.


Christopher Wong wrote:[color=blue]
> I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
> and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It was
> lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
> dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
> Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have been
> using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably splattering
> from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
> blunder?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Chris[/color]

"Mark" <bogusmailmark@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1159189024.308881.316590@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> (this is not personal, to all readers in general)
>
> If for some reason you feel incapable of doing an oil change yourself,
> which I find laughable in at least 90% of cases, then by all means take
> the time to check the level and condition of the oil ASAP after an oil
> change. Also, take a look at the filter to see if it *looks* new.
> Crooked as well as incompetent shops abound (as well as do honest and
> conscientious ones), so it's up to *you* to check their work or be
> prepared to pay the price of a new engine.
>[/color]


If for some reason I thought doing it myself at home was a good idea
then hopefully someone would kick me in the butt for being a dumb ass.

Dan

"MO full name" <nospam@hole.org> wrote in message
news:2epdh29mpthopv1i0rmooi7jmmu8pdjbv6@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:56:04 -0400, Tom The Great <Post@here.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 23:46:10 -0500, Christopher Wong
>><cwong@world.std.com> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
>>>and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It
>>>was
>>>lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
>>>dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
>>>Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have
>>>been
>>>using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably
>>>splattering
>>>from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
>>>blunder?
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>>Chris[/color]
>>
>>
>>I guess you only had it off for a little while. So moisture or foregn
>>particles had little time to become introduced into your engine. IMHO,
>>then you should not ill effects on the engine.
>>
>>hth,
>>
>>tom @ [url]www.NoCostAds.com[/url]
>>
>>[/color]
>
>
> This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
> your car that you can NOT observe?
> Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
> vending machines in a confined area etc.
>
> I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
> fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
> cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
> asked ...
> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]

Was this all the same place?

On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:43:01 +1200, "FantomFan"
<reaper_nz@hotmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"MO full name" <nospam@hole.org> wrote in message
>news:2epdh29mpthopv1i0rmooi7jmmu8pdjbv6@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:56:04 -0400, Tom The Great <Post@here.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 23:46:10 -0500, Christopher Wong
>>><cwong@world.std.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I had an oil change done on my `96 Camry recently at my regular mechanic,
>>>>and shortly after I noticed that they forgot to replace the oil cap. It
>>>>was
>>>>lying elsewhere in the engine compartment, so I put it back. The oil
>>>>dipstick shows that I still have plenty of oil (I had not driven much).
>>>>Needless to say, I'm rather disappointed with my mechanic, whom I have
>>>>been
>>>>using for years. Besides a bit of a mess due to oil persumably
>>>>splattering
>>>>from the open hole, are there any ill effects that could result from this
>>>>blunder?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>Chris
>>>
>>>
>>>I guess you only had it off for a little while. So moisture or foregn
>>>particles had little time to become introduced into your engine. IMHO,
>>>then you should not ill effects on the engine.
>>>
>>>hth,
>>>
>>>tom @ [url]www.NoCostAds.com[/url]
>>>
>>>[/color]
>>
>>
>> This really brings up the question - should you let anyone work on
>> your car that you can NOT observe?
>> Forget the insurance crap/excuses. Or we need you to support our
>> vending machines in a confined area etc.
>>
>> I have found the oil cap sitting on the engine block. Also had it
>> fall on the ground as I pulled out. I have even caught the five full
>> cans of oil sitting on the workbench as I was about to leave - and
>> asked ...
>> A quick visual inspection is ALWAYS in order.[/color]
>
>Was this all the same place?
>[/color]

No, GM and Chrysler dealerships (the gold plated ones) and a couple of
gas stations.
Never went back ...