Can running engine while oil cap is off cause problems?

JOYSPIRITED

MEMBER
TOYOTA TERCEL

92 toyota tercell. Got an oil change two weeks ago. Drove it today for a little longer than usual and noticed lots of white smoke at lights when still. Then I opened the hood and found the oil cap was off. Oil had spurted all over the engine and also radiator fluid. I filled up both fluids. Engine began knocking too. I got it home. Tried starting it again and engine keeps cutting off and still knocking. Can leaving the oil cap off cause all this? My car seldom gives me a problem and has been really reliable up till now. Thank you

3 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

The oil cap should not be a problem as long as the oil level was up. The coolant on the other hand can be. Did it overheat?

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Monday, February 20th, 2006 AT 8:38 PM

SLMEADE

MEMBER
1 POST

Unless you want a mess on your "NEW WHITE SHIRT" I would turn the engine off. :Cry:

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Wednesday, December 13th, 2006 AT 1:26 PM

SARABROWNS

MEMBER
27 POSTS

You were driving around with the cap off for 2 weeks? How low was the oil when you filled it? Was it knocking during those 2 weeks, or just after you refilled the oil and coolant? By itself, having the oil cap off shouldn't cause a problem besides a little oil maybe spilling out. If the car was overheating, it may make more than just a bit off oil shoot out. Just don't drive it until you figure out the knock. My mom ruined her 89 toyota because her oil light came on, she kept checking her tranny fluid (doh!) And the car, which did burn a bit of oil, eventually burned the majority of it up, her car started knocking, and then she locked up the motor! Not fun stuff.

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Sunday, December 17th, 2006 AT 11:50 AM