Left the oil fill cap out... now what?

[lars11]

Made a mistake the other week, I left the oil fill cap out when changing oil. This was 2 weeks and 100 miles ago.
How bad is this? What to do? Should I just change the oil again and leave it at that?
The car is a 2002 jeep grand cherokee, I6, at 70k miles.

 

[simple_gifts]

Not much else you can do. I did this on my F150 for over a week and nothing came of it. I didn't change the oil, I just put it back on and drove.

 

[sunfire]

Someone correct me if I am wrong... but the engine would suck in air through the filler hole if its not capped.

The oil filter should take of most of the dust.

 

[Kyk noord en]

Surprised your car didn't throw a code. Shouldn't be a problem, though you might want to check your oil level.

No way of knowing if any significant contaminants fell in. If you're paranoid, you can change the oil, but that seems overkill.

 

[JHZR2]

I did this on my 98 chevy once and for a good while. Didn't seem tohave any effect, but I changed the oil anyway.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

but the engine would suck in air through the filler hole if its not capped.


Worn rings will flow the air out..... iirc

 

[hate2work]

Unless you went off roading in dusty conditions, I would just put the cap back on and call it a day.

 

[Familyguy]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Unless you went off roading in dusty conditions, I would just put the cap back on and call it a day.


That would be my approach as well. Just check the level and move on.

Best,

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Unless you went off roading in dusty conditions, I would just put the cap back on and call it a day.


Or was driving in rain...

 

[demarpaint]

If it were my beater, I'd put the cap on and call it a day. OCD would get the best of me if it were my 08 Jeep, and I'd probably dump the oil. I guess it depends on how you feel about the vehicle.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: lars11
Made a mistake the other week, I left the oil fill cap out when changing oil. This was 2 weeks and 100 miles ago.
How bad is this? What to do? Should I just change the oil again and leave it at that?
The car is a 2002 jeep grand cherokee, I6, at 70k miles.


Just curious, how much oil did you lose in the process? It's my experience that despite the baffle plates you still get a fairly steady stream of oil droplets flicked out when driving without a cap.

 

[The motor guy]

If it rained at all I would change it. Then again you'd be surprised how dry it stays in the engine compartment. I have opened my hood after driving through heavy rain and found it bone dry.

 

[The motor guy]

the other question is where is the oil cap? A lot of people put them on the engine when changing the oil. Did it fall off going down the road?

 

[Virtuoso]

Dust would be the only thing I'd worry about, if a lot of it. Any water should evaporate off.

 

[lars11]

well, cant find the cap. gone. I didnt lose any oil at all and there is no oil stains around the hole. I'll change the oil and filter and call it a day. Will feel better that way. Glad to hear I didnt kill it completely. Phew!