Dealer oil change left the cap off

[desch]

I had my oil changed at the dealer about 3 weeks and 2000 miles ago. I opened the hood today for the first time since then and noticed my oil cap was missing. I was a few miles from the dealer at the time so I immediately called them and explained the situation. They told me to come right in and I asked for the manager to meet me on my arrival as I was more than a little upset. The service manager was obviously apologetic and offered to fully detail the entire vehicle including the engine compartment (no oil was visible) and to change the oil, check the filters and run the vehicle on their diagnostic machine. I expressed my concern with having my engine open to the elements for this period of time and miles. While not trying to downplay their error he said that in all likelyhood no real damage was done.

What do I need to look out for? Are there any other checks I should insist on being done or are the chances or real damaged truly minimal?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Jeremy556]

Where the oil filler is on this engine, I would say no harm, no foul, unless you were driving on very dusty roads.

I once forgot to reinstall the cap on a car where the oil filler was on the valve cover. I realized my mistake very quickly and had a huge mess to cleanup.

 

[desch]

Dust isn't much of a problem here in western Washington though I have logged a bunch of miles on forest service roads exploring fishing holes for the coming year. I have been through plenty of mud and purposefully gassed it through a couple of monster puddles for fun. That being said the engine compartment as a whole looked pretty clean, for housing an engine.

 

[cbreze]

Maybe its just me but the first thing I do is open the hood, check fluid levels and make sure everything looks right , nothing loose, after any service. I don't care who performs the work. Found my Tacoma 3 quarts low after a dealer service once .
Glad your rig's alright.

 

[mikebontoft]

No. You're fine. I'm surprised that it didn't spit oil everywhere or that it produced a lean code (from crankcase ventilation) as it is pretty much a vacuum leak. Designed differently from the Euros I guess.

 

[jbstrd]

What dealer if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Stifler]

meh you are fine

 

[Fishpilot]

Same thing here at American Toyota in Albuquerque. I picked it up and drove it home, found the missing cap a few days later on a Sunday. I showed up and explained the situation and they actually pulled a cap off a 4R from the lot and gave me that one and told me to come back for a free service. The did a free oil change and detailed the entire car inside and out. Sucks that it happened but now I preflight my vehicles ANY time I leave it at the dealer and they righted their wrong. Lesson learned.

 

[mikebontoft]

It's too bad, because a lot of the guys that do the basic oil change etc at dealerships are new at the game (or just suck at life). It's no better than taking to Yiffy Lube except that you should at least get the right oil in there.

 

[desch]

Thanks for the replies. Phewwwww, I feel a lot better.

The service manager all but admitted that this happens from time to time and I appreciate that they owned their mistake and are making it right. It happened at Michael's Toyota in Bellevue.

I will for sure pop the hood after service from now on. Lesson learned.

 

[Jim82]

Thanks for the replies. Phewwwww, I feel a lot better.

The service manager all but admitted that this happens from time to time and I appreciate that they owned their mistake and are making it right. It happened at Michael's Toyota in Bellevue.

I will for sure pop the hood after service from now on. Lesson learned.

I've heard a lot of good things about Michele's service department. I almost had my lift installed there. Too bad about your experience. After reading your post I went and checked mine. Though, I went to Rodland in Everett.

 

[1000MPH]

Absolutely check before leaving anything that was touched.
Before I take possession I pop the hood and check all caps, air filter latches, engine covers and do a quick walk around looking for obvious damage, fluid leaks, flat tires, missing lug nuts, missing floor mats, missing or damaged skid plates, hub caps, etc. (all these things have happened to me)
Then I will drive to the parking lot and go over more thoroughly checking fluid levels, missing bolts and other fasteners, tires rotated.
When home I will check lug nuts, fluid leaks, air filter, tire pressures, fluid levels again.
Yes, it's easier to just change it yourself.

 

[RuRunner]

thanks