Ok Im not the first and I wont be the last but i've been driving around for about 3 weeks without an oil cap. Opened the bonnet and its sat next to the battery? Bit of gunk on the plastic engine cover and theres some bits of filth mixed in the muck. The seal from the wiper washer bit to the bonnet it a bit wonky around the oil filler but other than that the car drove normally and theres no noticable damage.

Its a fab 1.4 tdi pd, i changed the oil about 6 weeks ago, should i change it again? Or will the filter pick out the crap thats got in there?

Any ideas appreciated.

Ta

Stodge

Ouch - I'm so absent minded I'm paranoid about doing that or not putting the dipstick back in.

Bob, welcome to the site.

Have you checked your oil level since finding out you left the oil cap off? If not, check it as your level might be down more than usual even if the engine bay looks clean. The engine will have been expressing at least some oil mist. Regarding wether you need to change the oil again...I doubt it. The engine will mostly be letting pressure out of the cambox cover rather than sucking things in. That's not to say some debris couldn't get in but it's probably unlikey that anything untoward has entered the engine. Just make sure the oil level is ok and put the cap back on nice and tight! Lesson learned eh!

I remember doing this!, and I lost quite a bit of oil through the cap hole, I drained what was left and replaced better safe than sorry IMO