I've been driving without an oil cap for probably 2 weeks now. I've put around 600 miles on it in that time.

I went out to check the oil tonight and discovered the cap was missing. I'm stumped as to what happened. I last checked the oil about 2 weeks ago. I don't think I left it off, because when I was putting the cap on I remember noticing how much oil I spilled filling it up :o It was at the dealership a little less than 2 weeks ago to have the thermostat changed. They wouldn't remove the oil cap for that, would they?

Anyway, I checked the oil and it's looking pretty dirty. Aside from dust/dirt and water getting into the engine through the filler neck, does anyone know of other possible damage?

Man, I probably forgot to put it on last time. I'm really dissappointed in myself for this. But you know, if it was me, I should have found the cap somewhere in my garage, but I didn't. Hmmmm.

 

You should be OK? I would have the existing oil flushed and changed asap. Hold the dealer accountable!! As with everything, inspect what you expect. Check these things after every service.

Good luck!!

- Irish
PS. Love the avatar!! :D

 

When you're right, you're right. I've been doing some searching on this topic. And a few come up of folks missing the engine cover after service and other unfulfilled expectations. I had a dealer once not top-up all fluids and from that visit on I checked under the hood when I picked up my car. It looks like I will have to do the same with this dealer.

Yours has bigger ***** :p

 

Lol.... :D

- Irish

 

Good excuse to buy a Mazdaspeed oil cap...

 

I got my car's oil changed by the guys that installed the new tires, and they forgot the damn engine cover. At least they called me about it - the guy called me about 3 hours after I picked up the car and was so apologetic that he gave me a certificate for a free next oil change. So at least he made it right for me.

 

They can forget my engine cover every time I take it in if they call and apoligize, and give me a free oil change certificate.

 

I was thinking the same thing after he called!

 

Oops

 

Kreuz--You might want to check all the little nooks and crannies just to make sure before you complain to the service department. I know that with my last car, the coolant cap somehow disappeared one time. I was irate about it and ended up replacing it myself, but then I found it 3 months later, of all places, under the battery housing, from when I had last checked my fluid levels and absentmindedly left the cap on top of the battery. Just a thought!

 

This is weird... in some cars, leaving the oil cap (or even the dipstick) off results in a vacuum leak and the car will run very rough. I guess the RX-8 must be different...

 

Thanks. I took a look around last night, but didn't find it. As for the service dept, I don't plan on complaining. I can't prove they lost it. It is a pisser though.

It is strange. I've had my best gas mileage so far Last weekend the famn damily and I hit the mountain roads and there were absolutely no problems. The '8 was it's usual fast self. Revving to 7000, 8000 and 9000 smoothly .... over and over I just hope this hasn't done any real damage.

 

When I first bought my eclipse I brought it in for the 3,000 mile oil change and they forgot to put the dipstick back in. I didn't even notice until about 2 months later when I went to check my oil and I couldn't find it. It was a new car and I had never had to check the oil so I figured I just didn't know where to look, I was baffeled as to where the dipstick could be until I finally came to the relization that the dealership lost it. On top of that, the dealership had just been bought by VW and was now a Volkswagon dealership with all new staff so they wouldn't replace it.

As a side note to this story I then ordered a new dipstick through another dealer and they gave me one for a 2000 eclispe, mine was a 99, very different engine. I didn't know it was the wrong dipstick until about 3 oil changes later when the mechanic said you know this isn't the right dipstick. No wonder that car fell apart so early. I promise to be more aware of my 8.

 

My miata after 50 miles sans oil cap...

 

Chalk up another advantage to the Rotary engine!

Leave the cap off of most engines and you'll know within a few minutes since the valvetrain will be shooting your oil all over the inside of the hood, engine and exhaust manifold.

Assuming your oil level didn't drop too far, probably not a big deal. Did you even GET any oil outside of the engine? I'd say a quick oil change is in order just to be on the safe side as far as dirt/grit. But again, wouldn't worry much.

 

We had my son's Solara oil changed at a Goodyear store last year, and when he picked it up the hood was seated a little funny. A little high near the strut on one side. Later that afternoon, he started complaining about a bad gasoline smell in the cabin. Popped the hood only to find they had laid the oil cap on a flat spot up near the hood strut, and neglected to put it back on the engine. Just forced the hood shut.
Well, life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!

 

I think running the RX8 without the oilcap does wonders for the performance - gets rid of the surging and rattle at WOT. What's a little grit between friends - the dealer could not find the cause of the WOT rattle in 3rd but made it go away and was not sure how - the oil cap was off.