lost my oil cap 2 days ago after changing the oil and was wondering if it was bad to drive without it. i have driven it for about 150 miles in the last two days in rain. i have noticed that the pressure did not change at all throughout the rpms (but then again it is the stock gauge). i just replaced it today and was wondering if driving without the cap reduces oil pressure by any chance, common sense tells me it should but i wanted to confirm. also would the moisture of rain and fog pollute the new oil? should i change it again? i was going to change it this week anyways but wanted to know if i should go do it now. thanks

 

Fail.

It really isn't a pressurized system if there's an opening somewhere. Kind of like when you drive without the radiator cap. There's nothing plugging the hole therefore there is a loss of pressure.

As for the pollution, i believe it is a possibility that it can contaminate it. it's kind of unlikely unless you where pouring the rain water directly down the filler neck. Might as well change it now.

 

the oil cap keeps the system pressurized????


anyways, I'd go ahead and change it, could have gotten water in there from condensation and you can't change your oil too much so it can't hurt. I would have at least covered it so no bugs or a mouse or other debris could get in there as well.

 

i looked through the fsm and it looks like the oil pressure system is mainly controlled by the crank, this could explain why i was still having the same oil pressure without the cap. there was also no oil comming out of the filler so i think i should be ok. thanks

 

oil pressure will not change with the filler cap off, and any one that tells u that is an idiot. your oil pressure is meatered off of your oil pump outlet pressure . if takeing off the filler cap made a difference then what the **** is the pcv valve doing *** hat

 

yes, no biggie with the cap off except that you'll get condensation (oil change!) and if you hot dawg it, you'll get oil all over the engine bay. Replace it ASAP though... 5 bucks.

 

Just change your oil now in case you got debris in there. The hood has that material that would hold in condensation (unless you've gone of-roading) so you should be OK.

 

+1 you're fine, just change the oil sooner than normal. Oil has anti-corossion additives that only last for a limited number of months, especially when water gets in there.