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I was getting ready to add a little oil to my 22 HTC and I accidently dropped the oil cap... I heard it fall then roll all the way down under the engine, where it probably came to rest on top of the large metal plate that covers the bottom of the car. I really don't want to deal with crawling under the car and removing the many bolts that hold that plate to the chassis, so I am taking it in. I wonder if that cap rolling around under there will cause any damage before I get a chance to get the car to the dealer to put it on the lift?
It's will probably fall out on the road before you get to the dealer, and if you see it or hear it, you can turn around and go back home. No need to kick yourself, everyone drops stuff.
It's will probably fall out on the road before you get to the dealer, and if you see it or hear it, you can turn around and go back home. No need to kick yourself, everyone drops stuff.
Absolutely no need to kick yourself. It happens at some point to all of us that work on our cars.
I dropped a screwdriver in the engine compartment of my GMC pickup changing out the paper air filter last December. I still haven't located the screwdriver. It went into a black hole in the engine compartment. Drove the truck to Florida and back without an issue. Lord knows where that screwdriver came to rest.
there is a triangular opening under the car on each side you can probably reach in an grab the cap
I droped a rag down there and got it out through the opening
there is a triangular opening under the car on each side you can probably reach in an grab the cap
I droped a rag down there and got it out through the opening
You should be good. It’ll probably fall out. I left a magnetic 10mm socket inside an engine once. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I was turning the motor over by hand and it kept binding up. I ended up finding the socket rolling on the crank🤣. I learned not to use magnetic sockets inside an engine very quickly.
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I’ve dropped things when working on the car before and luckily have found all the stuff, although in some cases it required quite a bit of disassembly. You’ll be fine driving the car to the dealer in order to retrieve the cap.
You should be good. It’ll probably fall out. I left a magnetic 10mm socket inside an engine once. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I was turning the motor over by hand and it kept binding up. I ended up finding the socket rolling on the crank🤣. I learned not to use magnetic sockets inside an engine very quickly.
Anytime I work on or near my engine I always stuff a rag near any possible holes where tools or other things could fall. I learned this from experience.
Anytime I work on or near my engine I always stuff a rag near any possible holes where tools or other things could fall. I learned this from experience.
I use a magnetized parts tray whenever I need to keep assorted bolts and screws together after disassembly. Adding a tether to the oil cap is also a great idea.
Absolutely no need to kick yourself. It happens at some point to all of us that work on our cars.
I dropped a screwdriver in the engine compartment of my GMC pickup changing out the paper air filter last December. I still haven't located the screwdriver. It went into a black hole in the engine compartment. Drove the truck to Florida and back without an issue. Lord knows where that screwdriver came to rest.
If it hit the road surface, it may end up in someone's tire and perhaps make it unrepairable.
Already on order. Genuine OEM C8 cap through Amazon for under ten bucks. Delivery on Monday. Can't ask for better service...(Still kicking myself)...
Inertia can be your freind! Try accelerating rapidly, it may slip out the gaps in the back! OR may get close to one of the openings in the Aluminum aero/shear panel (as GM calls it as it serves both functions!)
I have dropped a screwdriver and with a flashlight was able to grab it with my magnet retrieval tool. Won't work on plastic nor will my claw gripper retrieval tool as it does not open wide enough. But perhaps could push it around to an opening.
Yep that's why I have two long flexible retrieval tools!
If it hit the road surface, it may end up in someone's tire and perhaps make it unrepairable.
I believe the cap is made of plastic (isn't everything these days?). Therefore, the only damage might occur of the cap were to hit the pavement, then get kicked up into someone's windshield (hopefully not)...
06-25-2022, 03:04 PM
Stupidly dropped the oil cap
I heard it fall then roll all the way down under the engine, where it probably came to rest on top of the large metal plate that covers the bottom of the car. I really don't want to deal with crawling under the car and removing the many bolts that hold that plate to the chassis, so I am taking it in. I wonder if that cap rolling around under there will cause any damage before I get a chance to get the car to the dealer to put it on the lift?
