8 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

Sprite 1275cc carb
1993
For about 2 days done about 35 miles or so not to mad driving just normal, strangely enough topped oil up for mot on sat so was then i left the cap off and they
looked under bonnet but obviously missed it as well!!! Only thing i noticed was even when warm idle was very lumpy and at around 600rpm
when got home tonight looked under bonnet and is like ahhhh, but no oil escaped and putting cap on made it rev normal.
Am i likely to have done any harm with the cap not on?:

[Big_Adam]

I didn't have a problem with it. You might have gotten some dirt up into the rockers but nothing big as it will have to jump a damn long way to get into the engine.

The caps a breather anyway, I'd check the oil for any big dirt particles (slim chance you'd find anyway but just check the dip stick), if nothing feels up in the next day or two I'd carry on regardless.

[mikey72]

Last time I saw that done, there was oil all over the engine, the engine bay, the inside of the bonnet, dripping on the floor...
Engine was fine though.

[S2000Steve]

Sounds daft but dont forget to check the oil level and top up again, some might have been pushed out.

[bunch1980]

Thanks all, looked like no oil anywhere on engine or underside of bonnet etc, will check level tommorow morning, but does explain the low and lumpy idle!
I was not luckily going to mad around corners or roundabouts!

[bmcecosse]

As above -I'm amazed there isn't oil everywhere! Is there definitely oil getting up to your rockers!?

[spotmaxwoody]

By not having the cap on you cause a 'vacuum leak' .... ill skip the technicalities, your engine will run rough, low on idle revs, this can happen even with your dipstick removed, but it shouldnt cause any damage after 35 miles, mini engines dont spit the oil out too much with the cap left off, unlike some!...

[bunch1980]

By not having the cap on you cause a 'vacuum leak' .... ill skip the technicalities, your engine will run rough, low on idle revs, this can happen even with your dipstick removed, but it shouldnt cause any damage after 35 miles, mini engines dont spit the oil out too much with the cap left off, unlike some!...

Thanks thats exactly what it was like, felt like it was never warming up and under powered to, today it was like a rocket lol!
no good job i looked really, as was just going to leave unitl weekend and give it a good look over!

[Andywade]

I lost mine at a petrol station and drove about 100 miles without it Didn't spit too much oil out - I found a lid from a jam jar that fitted pretty neat and then put some big mole brips over it to bend the lid a bit so it didnt come off.

No problems after fitting replacement filler cap.