YACT: no oil cap for a short drive

[Snuffaluffaguss]

I feel dumb, because I did a dumb thing.....

I was adding a bit of oil to my 95 camery when I filled up with gas this evening. My phone rang, I got distrated and closed my hood without putting on the oil cap. I got in my car, finished my phone call, drove about a mile, relized I smell a slight oil buring smell, pulled over, put cap back on, check oil level which is fine, and drove the half mile home. Now that I am home, I opened the hood and it looks like oil splatter on the enigne block and hood but the car ran home fine, and the oil level is still good so it didn't loose to much I am guessing. What should I do to clean up the oil, and should I take it in to see if the splatter messed up anything else? Thanks. by the way, i still fell stupid, can't belive I did this.

Cliffnotes
Filled car with gas and added oil
answered phone and drove off with out putting on the oil cap
relized problem a mile later
replaced cap and drove home fine
now oil splatter is on the block and hood
how do I clean and what could I have messed up.

Thanks in advance, and yes I relized this a pretty dumb thing to do, so you don't need to remind me of that.

 

[OutHouse]

take it to a car wash with the high pressure wands that have the engine cleaner switch.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

I got distrated

is that a form of castration..?

 

[Ness]

Well, short of taking a lot of the engine apart, the best you can do is just let the oil burn away. Grab some old towels and or something and try to clean up as much as you can, especially around delicate parts. (Good luck finding a good way to dispose of the towels though :-\ )

If you'd feel safter taking it in to have it checked out, then you might as well do it, but I don't think you'd have to, as long as it isn't EVERYWHERE.

 

[Snuffaluffaguss]

will that be enough just washing it out?, its not really everywhere, just on the hood above the cap, and splatter in the area around the cap.

 

[0roo0roo]

not much. as long as u had enough left to prevent overheat.. not sure if oil is good for everything under the hood though, best to wipe up as best u can.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Your car will be fine. If you must wash it, don't use much pressure, and don't spray directly at electrical components (coils, plug wires, injectors, etc.).

 

[Snuffaluffaguss]

thanks for the info eveyone

 

[The Stigenator]

you can try steam cleaning it off..


otherwise just dry it out..

 

Warm up engine for three minutes (you want it warm, not hot), spray entire engine compartment with Gunk Engine Bright, let sit for two minutes, start engine and hose off avoiding the alternator, the air intake and ignition system.