I left my oil fill cap off for, oh, I dunno, 3 weeks or so????? ARGH!!!!!!

All I know is, I checked it when I had 1500 miles on my oil change, and sure enough, like clockwork, it was down 1 qt. Out of curiosity, I checked it today and my oil fill cap was long gone. Surprisingly, there was very little oil residue around the opening. I estimate it has been off for about 700 miles.

After swearing a lot, I got another oil fill cap and ran some VP Racing Fuel system cleaner through it, just in case I had a lotta gunk stuck on my valves from this mishap. Am I ok?? It isn't like it coulda sucked in dirt/pollen/etc...its the middle of winter!!

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8 (Medium Gray Metallic)
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires, Accel Supercoil/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm, Keyless Entry
IROC tailights, tinted windows

JasonEE98 on AOL IM

 

In my infinite stupidity, I, too, have done this. Only, my problem was, I did it twice. The first time I caught it in the space of about 3 days. I got lucky, because it didn't leak or anything, and my oil cap was right where I left it, on the plenum. The second time, though, it lasted about 6 days, then the engine started sounding bad on a rainy day in the middle of a highway going 75. I was only a couple of miles away from my destination, so I just kept pleading for it too keep going, and I arrived safely. Had to get down into a puddle on the ground so I could open my hood (mechanic ripped out the release - whole different story), saw oil all over the driver's side engine compartment. Looked for the cap, it was nowhere to be found. Cussed a couple of times (it was pouring down rain, but the car was much more of a concern to me), opened the back hatch, started to open that locked compartment (which is where I keep extra oil), and as I was opening, the hatch shocks gave way and the hatch came down on my head (yes, it did hurt quite badly, thankfully, I was visiting a hospital), so I cussed some more and got the oil back in the car. Figured the first time I lost it was a warning, and the second time was punishment. Cars are weird like that I guess...probably some new GM invention

Vman

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1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
383, 700R4, leather, everything black but the lights

Previous owner of an 89 RS Camaro
2.8L V6, 700R4

 

Here is a better statement
Who hasnt left the Oil/Radiator/Gas cap off at one point or another. I have a few times. Dont feel so bad about it.

 

Hehe. I knew a guy that worked at a gas station, where he checked the oil on a Mercedes. It was a bit low so he added some, and forgot to put the cap on. A few days later, they had a very angry customer with a fscked engine.

Needless to say, my buddy isn't working there anymore

 

hehe, yeah i left my radiator cap off once but i remembered within 3 blocks......although one time when i replaced my lower radiator hose i forgot to clamp one side and i ran the car, shut it off and WHOOSH, off goes the hose. then, last week i actually fired up the engine with NO OIL!!!! i nearly $hit a brick with that move. only ran it for 10 seconds though(whew). no harm, no foul.

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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

Done the no oil thing. Then another time I put oil in and remembered the drain plug was in my pocket. Only after 3 1/2 quarts

 

Hehe...I did the missing coolant overflow cap thing once too. Gotta love Auto Zone and all those little things they keep lying around

Well from the sound of Vortex, I guess I'm safe. My car never missed a beat (as always), and it was only down 1 quart, as I said before. The guys at Auto Zone were shocked I didn't blow more oil out!! There was merely a slight residue around the opening after having the cap missing for 3 weeks...what can I say, I got skills

 

All l can say is that the 2.8 was built very very strong. Takes a lot to kill one. So l wouldnt worry about it.

Clayton

 

I left my gas cap sitting on the decklid just leaning against the spoiler once. Found it in the same place 20 miles later, after some serious cornering and 5 miles on the expressway. I love aerodynamics...

-Reno

 

I haven't!

 

How's this for a "duh!" move:

When I first bought my Camaro, I was putting new fromt brakes on it. Anyway I'm trying to break loose one of the bolts that holds on the caliper. So I'm hitting the allen key w/ everything, doing whatever I can to get leverage. Then it dawns on me- I'm trying to turn it the wrong way! The entire time I was trying to make it tighter!!!

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86 Sport Coupe, 2.8 V6, dead stock, but not for long!

"Little girls play with ponies!"
www.geocities.com/camman86
Rock fans click the secret link on my site!

 

Lefty-Loosey, Righty-Tighty.....hehe

 

I left my oil filler cap off for about a week I pulled into Parts America to but some oil just incase I needed some, I popped the hood a it was gone, I Pulled the dipstick and it was not even down any.

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91 Camaro RS/SS
3.1LTR
Flowmaster Exaust
Hyperchip
K&N Airfilter
Ram Air,Cold Air Induction
Accel Wires,Cap,Rotor,Coil,
Plugs
Low Temp Thermostat
16" 91Z28 Rims, BFGoodrich CompT/A
Pioneer Speakers,Deck
Shift Kit
Power Pullys

 

I just topped up my oil a week ago...the filler lid didn't go all the way on, so I'd better go check it now...better be on!

 

Glad to hear I ain't the only one who's done this

 

the only thing on the motor i've ever accidently left off was the tranny fluid dipstick, no biggie, but i have dropped my oil fill cap while the engine was very hot, and it landed on an exaust manifold, had to use ratchet to knock it loose and on the ground. Oh reno, i also left my gas cap on the rear decklid (where else ya gonna sit it) and after driving to school, and showing my friends the impressive corning abilities of my car when i got to the school parking lot it was suprisingly still there. aerodynamics are great, so spoilers don't just keep the back end down, the keep stuff on the back end.

 

I left mmy gascap on my car after a good day in the boneyard i went to get some gas and was paying attention to my parts and started driving. Then some lady i sall your leaking gas im like huh. So i pull over and i have no gas cap and i didnt know were i was so i ended up payin 10 bucks for a frekin gas cap at a gas station oh well i didnt wana drive around all night lokin for a pep boys or somethin

 

And we're the hardcore guys who never want to let mechanics mess with our rides cause we don't trust them. LMAO!!! I nearly died reading 87RS402's post. I could just picture it. "Hey, what's this in my pocket?" while doing the traditional after oil change start and rev... BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

-Reno

 

Monkie some day you will. Everyone does.

 

I haven't.... yet. I'm sure it will eventually happen. I still have many more years ahead of me to do stuff like that, I hope.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Mikes86SC, I did that to a buddy... we were changing the head on his old Mazda. He couldn't budge one of the head bolts- and he's no weakling, either. The bolt was on the side back, so we had a funny "view" of it. He looked at me once in the middle, and said "I'm turning it the right way, right?" I said "yeah, that's right". 10 mins later I said "Hey! You are turning it the wrong way!" Man did we bust on each other for that one!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Reno,

I didn't get around to starting it that time. I only got 3 1/2 quarts in before I relized I had the plug in the pocket of my coveralls. What pissed me off was I had to lay in a puddle of fresh 15-40 to put the plug back in.

Whats with leaving the gas cap off? I have never left any cap off ( I only do plugs! ). Of course that could be due to the fact that I can't pump my own gas because of state law

 

I once left the rad. cap on the air cleaner and slammed the hood........As soon as I saw the dent in the middle of the hood I knew what I did.....DOH!!

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

Why cantu pump your own gas

 

In Oregon, its the law.

I always forget that when we go to Oregon, I always try to jump out and pump....

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

You have to love our state goverment here. Full serve for $1.36 a gal

 

Hey, Oregon...not a bad thought!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Insult to injury, No sales tax either!

I moved out of CA 3 1/2 years ago and hate to go back anymore even to visit. I pay $90 every two years to register all 3 of my vechicles, can't pump my own gas and don't have to pay sales tax. Why would I ever want leave.

I guess I need to keep this tech right?.... How about "What are smog laws? We don't have those either."

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'87 RS 402 Big Block
'92 S-10 Blazer 4X4
'77 3/4T Chevy 4X4 P/U with 500 Cadillac

 

I can't pump my own gas in NJ, either... it ticks me off. All these morons spill gas on my paint. I only go to a select few stations where they don't; and I'll tip them a few $$ every now and then. At the gas stations I frequent a lot, if it's busy, I usually take the nozzle out of my tank and hang it back on the pump to save them some time.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!