oil cap boo boo

Jeffblue · 11-06-2010, 05:53 PM

so i topped my oil off the other day and forgot to put my oil cap back on, i haven't driven the car since then, which was like 3 days ago since i have been sick. i drove it today to the store (3 miles away) and back. then i realized i forgot to put the cap back on. i saw a bit of spilled oil in the engine bay but i checked my oil on the dipstick and very little (unnoticeable difference) must have spilled out. what should i do to clean the spilt oil and and is there anything else i should do? obviously, i know it was a stupid mistake, but if anyone as any recommendations for how to clean it up and any insight on if any damage could have been done i'd appreciate it.

6spd · 11-06-2010, 06:13 PM

you can use brake cleaner (rubbed very lightly) on rubber and plastic without too much fading, just dont use it on paint, itll eat it away. OR, you can be safe and just use a degreaser, dish soap, etc on a rag.

Jeffblue · 11-06-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

you can use brake cleaner (rubbed very lightly) on rubber and plastic without too much fading, just dont use it on paint, itll eat it away. OR, you can be safe and just use a degreaser, dish soap, etc on a rag.

the latter seems like a safer bet. any harm in just leaving oil on the areas i can't get to (like the areas that i can't see the oil spilled on?)

red6spd · 11-06-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

the latter seems like a safer bet. any harm in just leaving oil on the areas i can't get to (like the areas that i can't see the oil spilled on?)

Might smell a little... Try some of that purple cleaner stuff you can get at the auto parts stores.

Jeffblue · 11-06-2010, 06:27 PM

any harm in driving it as is? i've wiped up any actual liquid oil that was there.

red6spd · 11-06-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

any harm in driving it as is? i've wiped up any actual liquid oil that was there.

Nah... Its not gonna start a fire or anything.

christian370z · 11-06-2010, 07:05 PM

Use a degreaser like Zep (homedepot) or even just a mild solution of Dawn or comparable detergent and wipe it down. The flash point for oil combusting is much higher than anything you will see in an engine bay so there is nothing to worry about especially because you cleaned most of it up already!

Ztoon · 11-06-2010, 08:00 PM

Join the club, except I drove it 80 miles on the freeway! Got home and remembered. Was really freaking out not wanting to pop the hood!... There was the oil cap sitting in the engine bay right where I left it with an oily mess. Surprisingly, no measurable oil loss. I got out the Dawn dish liquid with rags and Q-tips, and was good to go.

cab83_750 · 11-06-2010, 09:40 PM

I would use Simple Green. I find it gentler than the purple Zep.

I knocked down a bottle of oil and poured down the radiator etc. I guess hosing it down wasn't good enough so after a few days I had to remove the bumper and use Simple Green. I had to do it 3 times. Grrrrrrr.

If I did what you did, I still would use simple green. Easy on the hose and makenit like rain-pressure. I have a Toro leaf blower; use a similar unit to force dry after each rinsing. Good luck.

Oh, although grease comes off easier when warm, i would degrease with engine cold.

I am no electrician but be aware of electrical short. In other words, after rinsing and blow drying, let a few hours pass by and let remaining vapors/moisture go away before running the engine to avoid short ---- obviously this is a gamble as shorts could happen anytime with Murphy's Law.

Jeffblue · 11-06-2010, 09:47 PM

wait, its ok to hose the engine bay? i thought that was bad....

christian370z · 11-07-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

wait, its ok to hose the engine bay? i thought that was bad....

Engines are designed to tolerate moisture and dirt so you are able to use a light shower with the hose and not risk any issues with the electronics. The key is to avoid using pressurized water or focusing the hose on any electrical connectors/intakes.

ProfessorDave · 11-07-2010, 12:31 PM

I'd like to think that we have all done this at one time or another (or at least that's what I tell myself to feel better). I once drove from western CT to northern NY like this. After a hard turn on an entrance ramp, my oil light went on. Smoke everywhere when I popped the hood. I was down 2 qts! Fortunately, I had a quart in the car and was able to get to the next gas station OK. I felt like a complete idiot, and never made the same mistake again (as I'm sure the OP won't either!).

Jeffblue · 11-07-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I'd like to think that we have all done this at one time or another (or at least that's what I tell myself to feel better). I once drove from western CT to northern NY like this. After a hard turn on an entrance ramp, my oil light went on. Smoke everywhere when I popped the hood. I was down 2 qts! Fortunately, I had a quart in the car and was able to get to the next gas station OK. I felt like a complete idiot, and never made the same mistake again (as I'm sure the OP won't either!).

definitely won't do it again. was this in your Z?

djpathfinder · 11-07-2010, 12:52 PM

Technicians have left droplets of spilt oil (uncleaned) on and around the engine of previous cars I've had. No damage to the engine or other components, but like what others have said before, you can try to clean it with a degreaser.

tjlazer · 11-07-2010, 01:00 PM

Hosing down your engine gently is ok. Don't drench it. And wipe as much of the water you can before starting the engine. Use simple green and lighly hose it down. You will be fine.

11-06-2010, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 38	oil cap boo boo so i topped my oil off the other day and forgot to put my oil cap back on, i haven't driven the car since then, which was like 3 days ago since i have been sick. i drove it today to the store (3 miles away) and back. then i realized i forgot to put the cap back on. i saw a bit of spilled oil in the engine bay but i checked my oil on the dipstick and very little (unnoticeable difference) must have spilled out. what should i do to clean the spilt oil and and is there anything else i should do? obviously, i know it was a stupid mistake, but if anyone as any recommendations for how to clean it up and any insight on if any damage could have been done i'd appreciate it. Last edited by Jeffblue; 11-06-2010 at 05:57 PM.

11-06-2010, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	you can use brake cleaner (rubbed very lightly) on rubber and plastic without too much fading, just dont use it on paint, itll eat it away. OR, you can be safe and just use a degreaser, dish soap, etc on a rag. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

11-06-2010, 07:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 432	Use a degreaser like Zep (homedepot) or even just a mild solution of Dawn or comparable detergent and wipe it down. The flash point for oil combusting is much higher than anything you will see in an engine bay so there is nothing to worry about especially because you cleaned most of it up already! __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

11-06-2010, 08:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ztoon Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: B.C. Posts: 578 Drives: '09 370a7 Rep Power: 25	Join the club, except I drove it 80 miles on the freeway! Got home and remembered. Was really freaking out not wanting to pop the hood!... There was the oil cap sitting in the engine bay right where I left it with an oily mess. Surprisingly, no measurable oil loss. I got out the Dawn dish liquid with rags and Q-tips, and was good to go. __________________ Stillen G3\|CBE\|ground kit, F.I. H.F.C., C.F. fangs\|mirrors\|pillars, Hotchkis, SSR Type-F, RE-11, UpRev, BC BR coilovers 15% tint, LED black hdlts, color match handles, Dynamat, tail lt. tint, Mines C.F. frt. lip\|rear spoiler, Amuse rear,skirts, vented fenders, c.f. vented hood, gloss blk. roof

11-06-2010, 09:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	I would use Simple Green. I find it gentler than the purple Zep. I knocked down a bottle of oil and poured down the radiator etc. I guess hosing it down wasn't good enough so after a few days I had to remove the bumper and use Simple Green. I had to do it 3 times. Grrrrrrr. If I did what you did, I still would use simple green. Easy on the hose and makenit like rain-pressure. I have a Toro leaf blower; use a similar unit to force dry after each rinsing. Good luck. Oh, although grease comes off easier when warm, i would degrease with engine cold. I am no electrician but be aware of electrical short. In other words, after rinsing and blow drying, let a few hours pass by and let remaining vapors/moisture go away before running the engine to avoid short ---- obviously this is a gamble as shorts could happen anytime with Murphy's Law. Last edited by cab83_750; 11-06-2010 at 09:48 PM.

11-06-2010, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 38	any harm in driving it as is? i've wiped up any actual liquid oil that was there.

11-06-2010, 09:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 38	wait, its ok to hose the engine bay? i thought that was bad....

11-07-2010, 12:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I'd like to think that we have all done this at one time or another (or at least that's what I tell myself to feel better). I once drove from western CT to northern NY like this. After a hard turn on an entrance ramp, my oil light went on. Smoke everywhere when I popped the hood. I was down 2 qts! Fortunately, I had a quart in the car and was able to get to the next gas station OK. I felt like a complete idiot, and never made the same mistake again (as I'm sure the OP won't either!). __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

11-07-2010, 12:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	Technicians have left droplets of spilt oil (uncleaned) on and around the engine of previous cars I've had. No damage to the engine or other components, but like what others have said before, you can try to clean it with a degreaser. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

11-07-2010, 01:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 53 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 20	Hosing down your engine gently is ok. Don't drench it. And wipe as much of the water you can before starting the engine. Use simple green and lighly hose it down. You will be fine. __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV