Missing Oil Cap?!

[jtk86]

My 535 that I recently purchased was serviced before I picked it up @ supposdly the #1 indie in our area. The shop has been around for years and I have never heard a neg review. When I got the car home I opened the hood to just clean up underneath (dirt and crime nothing major) and to my surprise the oil cap was missing. I contacted the guy I bought the car from and we were both shocked seeing how the car was just serviced. He contacted the owner of the shop today and he said it was impossible for the car to even run and that if the cap was missing oil would be all over the engine comparment. Well I am no liar and I know what happened my question for you guys is the indie just trying to protect his name by denying his shop f ed up or is it possible for my car to run w/o an oil cap? Have any of you guys had a oil cap just disapear? I drove the car about 50 miles before noticing. I know I should have caught this before I bought the car but being so caught up in the moment and the previous owner was going through items that had been recently replaced and the reason why I never really thought to check for a cap.

[HlyDvlz1989]

The car can definitely run without an oil cap though there would be some oil kind of just blasting everywhere and you would have a huge vacuum leak and probably have a low oil warning after all that oil is lost...but yes the car will run!

the indie is trying to save money

[jtk86]

Well like I said the car ran 50+ miles w/o an oil cap and not one drop was anywhere in the engine compartment, checked the dipstick and no oil was lost. I know this is hard to beleive it was for me at the moment. The indie (Hurless Bros, if you live in the Treasure valley do not take your car there) I have no idea how this happened, is it possible w/the hood being closed that created enough of a seal? IDK Maybe I will do a demo on youtube about this, im scared to now though. This is the prime reason why I do all my own oil changes, the main thing that upset me was the owner pretty called me a liar which I do not take kindly to. Anyways just thought I would share a weird story

[attack eagle]

yes it can happen.

[LouieD]

Car will run, just won't idle too well. There is no reason why oil would shoot out of the opening... oil get's deposited on the cam and get's slung around, but that's about all.
Cap could have been left loose and fell off during the drive, or they just forgot to put it on... either way you should be fine.

[jtk86]

The car is fine, I was just a bit confused after hearing what the indie had to say. I have never personally used their service however I have always heard great thing about them. I called them a few months ago to get a part installed and they turned me down, then w/ this whole Oil Cap thing I can honestly say I will never do business w/ them no matter how good they claim to be or others claim. Sad thing I have never even stepped foot in their shop and they lost my business. But thanks for all the input guys

[whiskychaser]

A bloke on the TV prog 'English Mobile Mechanics' topped up the oil in his 325 then drove 1500 miles from London to Marbella without a problem. Unfortunately it expired when he got there as there was no oil in it. We all know where the cap was.

[5mall5nail5]

I dropped my oil cap down on the sub frame at a gas station. I said eff it and drove home like 60 miles without issue. I have my cam cover under the valve cover so no oil cam flying out. I am sure if i got on it I might have pressurized some and shot oil out, but nothing bad happened. BTW VW oil caps fit :)

This was back in college.

[jtk86]

I picked up a oil cap at a local auto store, the previous owner told the indie this and he said he highly doubts it and the cap is very hard to find LMAO I honestly think the Indie has the previous owner convinced that I lied just to try and get a 5 dollar oil cap lol oh well the car is fine, I love my E34 (even though the wife is the one driving it) and have learned who not to go to in time of need. Thanks guys for sharing some of your stories, makes me feel better that what happened can happen w/ no neg outcomes