Clumsy idiot - lost oil cap somewhere in engine bay

FortuneChip

So, stupidly dropped the oil cap into the engine of my Ford Focus.

Figure I can pick up a replacement easy enough - but do I need to go fishing to get the now lost one out? Or best bet is visit a garage?

wonski

Jesus, I didn't know this was possible.

How can the diameter of the cap be smaller than the actual hole?

degsie

wonski wrote: »

Jesus, I didn't know this was possible.

How can the diameter of the cap be smaller than the actual hole?

I'm sure he means engine bay

MAJJ

wonski wrote: »

Jesus, I didn't know this was possible.

How can the diameter of the cap be smaller than the actual hole?

Was thinking same, surely it's dropped into engine bay or dropped onto tray under engine.

wandererz

Dropped it into the engine bay I assume.
Can you see it?

Is it sitting in some inaccessible location or dropped onto the tray?

wonski

degsie wrote: »

I'm sure he means engine bay

Makes sense lol.

con747

Hopefully not the oil cap of a top up oil container he means and it is in the engine.

FortuneChip

degsie wrote: »

I'm sure he means engine bay

I do mean the engine bay.
Can't see it, so assume it's gone right down to the tray.

wonski

con747 wrote: »

Hopefully not the oil cap of a top up oil container he means and it is in the engine.

Nah, he's looking for replacement cap so that bit I understood

It could be difficult to take it out, taking down bottom cover could help unless it is stuck somewhere in between.

Good torch needed first.

con747

Just don't start or drive it without a cap! Jack it up if you can't find it from above and take the belly pan off.

wandererz

FortuneChip wrote: »

I do mean the engine bay.
Can't see it, so assume it's gone right down to the tray.

Unscrew the tray.
If it's not there then probably lodged elsewhere.

Need torch & grippers with long handle.

FortuneChip

wandererz wrote: »

Unscrew the tray.
If it's not there then probably lodged elsewhere.

Need torch & grippers with long handle.

I'm at home - so it can definitely wait to the morning.

Might see if it's visible from up top before I go removing the tray.

Cheers

con747

If you have a memory like my OH I would leave a note on the keys about it in case you forget and head out in it.

wandererz

FortuneChip wrote: »

I'm at home - so it can definitely wait to the morning.

Might see if it's visible from up top before I go removing the tray.

Cheers

If you can't get to it, replacement from Micks Garage is about €12 if you can wait a few days without driving.

In the meantime, cover the oil filler hole with some clean plastic and don't drive until cap is back on.

Isambard

try a temporary petrol cap like the garages sell, might suffice until you get a replacement.

FortuneChip

Sorted earlier.

Oil filler cap was easily retrievable with a grippers.

Thanks for the help.

biko

Title updated

whippet

I did this years ago in a VW Toureg - topping up the oil and it just slipped out of my hand in to the engine bay. I was in a carpark of a supermarket - I couldn't even get an idea of where it was - luckily I was only a 30 min walk from my dads house and he had a spare cap in his garage.

Del2005

wandererz wrote: »

If you can't get to it, replacement from Micks Garage is about €12 if you can wait a few days without driving.

In the meantime, cover the oil filler hole with some clean plastic and don't drive until cap is back on.

whippet wrote: »

I did this years ago in a VW Toureg - topping up the oil and it just slipped out of my hand in to the engine bay. I was in a carpark of a supermarket - I couldn't even get an idea of where it was - luckily I was only a 30 min walk from my dads house and he had a spare cap in his garage.

Not a good idea to drive with an object in the engine bay that isn't supposed to be there, it could have done some serious damage if it landed in the wrong place. Always do your best to get anything dropped out before you start the vehicle

Wibbs

I've found a rule of thumb with any object dropped in an engine bay is said object will a) find it's way to the single most inaccessible area of the car, or b) the mathematically precise centre of the car, or c) both. The smaller and more vital an object the more this is certain.

MAJJ

Wibbs wrote: »

I've found a rule of thumb with any object dropped in an engine bay is said object will a) find it's way to the single most inaccessible area of the car, or b) the mathematically precise centre of the car, or c) both. The smaller and more vital an object the more this is certain.

and for me happens after car dropped back down and engine tray back on. A curse on non magnetic bits .

BlakeS94

Before I bought a magnetic pick up tool I used to just raise the front end and whack the undertray with a closed fist a few times, also knocked whatever I dropped out the exhaust side of the engine where the undertray ends.

Isambard

does that work for 10mm sockets?

CoBo55

Del2005 wrote: »

Not a good idea to drive with an object in the engine bay that isn't supposed to be there, it could have done some serious damage if it landed in the wrong place. Always do your best to get anything dropped out before you start the vehicle

Wha? One poster advised to cover the filler hole with plastic to stop dirt getting into the engine while waiting on delivery of a new cap.
The other one you quoted walked to his fathers who had a spare cap. Neither of them drove their cars.

listermint

Good tip is always to get down put your hand under tray and give it a good tap with the palm of your hand . Should jump stuff around tells you whats there.

CoBo55

Isambard wrote: »

does that work for 10mm sockets?

Nah, the aliens get them:pac:
On the remake of close encounters they'll open the side door of the mothership and thousands of 10 mil sockets will spill out, not the cheap ones mind, just the expensive ones from your favourite set:pac:

wonski

CoBo55 wrote: »

Wha? One poster advised to cover the filler hole with plastic to stop dirt getting into the engine while waiting on delivery of a new cap.
The other one you quoted walked to his fathers who had a spare cap. Neither of them drove their cars.

I think he meant driving around after getting the replacement knowing there is a loose cap dancing around the belts etc in the engine bay.

CoBo55

wonski wrote: »

I think he meant driving around after getting the replacement knowing there is a loose cap dancing around the belts etc in the engine bay.

True, that would be a foolish thing to do alright. It would probably end up in the tray but as we all know Murphy's law will always prevail with these things:)