How worried should I be about this? 

 

I can't see it on the engine bay floor. I worry it is hidden within the wheel arch in which case it would be irretrievable without a mechanic attacking it.

Don't worry about it, it's rubber and can't harm anything.

I would take the time to retrieve it. If it were to find its way to the auxilary belt for example, it could cause problems. Being rubber, it could melt onto something and cause complications. Are you able to remove the undertray and see what falls out? A bright torch and a second person to help look would be my first port of call.

If you want to get it back you could just take the 2 rear bolts and 4 of the rear torx screws out and pull the cover down just enough to see if you can get it back, or option 2 as others said leave it there but hope it doesn't go on exhaust as it will smell bad

1 hour ago, Murdockman said:

If you want to get it back you could just take the 2 rear bolts and 4 of the rear torx screws out and pull the cover down just enough to see if you can get it back, or option 2 as others said leave it there but hope it doesn't go on exhaust as it will smell bad

I did this and found it!

 

Then, I dropped it again and had to repeat. It was a nightmare.

 

Thanks guys

That was a "Friendly" Ha-Ha, not a sarkie, Simpsons type one! Glad you found it although I recon everyone has dropped something at one time or another. In most cases, they will eventually end up on the road, somewhere.

Edited 21 February, 20215 yr by mrgf

Doh!

 

Could have been worse.

 

I once checked the oil and topped it up before heading off to Germany from York.

 

Drove about 700 miles including doing 100mph+ on the Autobahn.

 

I had thought the engine sounded slightly louder than usual but thought nothing of it as it was running fine and the MPG was ok too.

 

Decided to check the oil before heading home which is when I saw that the engine was covered in oil!

 

I'd forgotten to put the cap back on but it was nowhere to be seen. I'd likely put in on top of the engine and it had fallen off.

 

Bought a new one locally.

 

Found it several months later when doing the DSG oil change. Sat on top of the underside engine cover! Lol

 

2 hours ago, Phil-E said:

Doh!

 

Could have been worse.

 

I once checked the oil and topped it up before heading off to Germany from York.

 

Drove about 700 miles including doing 100mph+ on the Autobahn.

 

I had thought the engine sounded slightly louder than usual but thought nothing of it as it was running fine and the MPG was ok too.

 

Decided to check the oil before heading home which is when I saw that the engine was covered in oil!

 

I'd forgotten to put the cap back on but it was nowhere to be seen. I'd likely put in on top of the engine and it had fallen off.

 

Bought a new one locally.

 

Found it several months later when doing the DSG oil change. Sat on top of the underside engine cover! Lol

Incredible. What model car?

2008 Octavia 1.9 TDI.

I left the brake fluid cap off my daughters Yaris, when I took it for its MOT after doing the routine checks...

 

Remembered I had not put it back mid - way through but said nothing. I thought they would;d fail it with no cap but they seemed not to notice. I found it again when I got home, under the engine compartment. Luckily I didn't lose it as I wouldn't want moisture in there!