[fw10ring]

It appears that either I have a faulty oil cap or the dealer did not secure the cap to the car properly. At any rate, the car has been problem free for 1200 miles. This morning on the way to work I notice a little bit of grey smoke behind my car. I didn't even think it was me at first! When traffic slowed down and I saw the smoke coming from under the hood I took the next exit, pulled over, and popped the hood.

The oil cap was off. Oil splashed around the engine bay, smoke is rolling off the exhaust manifold and I am PISSED! It was more than a little embarrasing to have my brand new BMW on the side of the road with the hood up and smoke pouring out.

I replaced the cap and limped to the gas station on the corner. From there I wiped it all down the best I could but of course I can't get close to the hot exhaust. I guess I will just have to allow the rest to burn off? Any suggestions on cleaning? I'll be calling the dealership this morning to give them a piece of my mind and ask them to make it right.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Sorry, I guess this is more of a vent then a question.

[Oz]

I would call the dealer if I were you and have them tow it immediately to prevent any further damage and have it cleaned out. They should DEFINITELY be liable for all damages if it's dealers fault. I think something like this happened to another E90post member before..

[txusa03]

it's would be hard to prove in court that the dealer is at fault here. I am not taking side. See how the dealer handles this and take it from there.

[h_curtis]

You can clean your engine compartment. Gunk makes engine clean or you could have someone steam clean it. Not that big of a deal really. Just chill.

[Broken1]

I hope you put more oil in???

OMG, I'd be so freaking devistated and pissed. That being said, my advice is to do your best to calm down and work through this. Time will heal.

[arnold]

Advise, do not even put back the oil cap, get them to tow it in and rectify their mistake, make the technician who was so absent minded, to pay for a hire car similar to yours it will teach some a good lesson.

[E36_325i]

Originally Posted by arnold

Advise, do not even put back the oil cap

Please dont listen to his advice, it's bad. If the car was just at the dealership getting the oil changed for 1200 mile service then it's pretty easy to assume it wasnt screwed on properly by the tech. Just give them a call and hopefully they'll clean it up and top it off for you.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by arnold

Advise, do not even put back the oil cap, get them to tow it in and rectify their mistake, make the technician who was so absent minded, to pay for a hire car similar to yours it will teach some a good lesson.

I would imagine this is a joke... correct?

[CSL]

To clean it what you do is use a high pressure washer and use degreaser on the engine. makeing sure the alternatior is covered with a plastic bag or something. Then rinse it out with the hose. Open the hood and let the car dry out before driving it. I used to detail cars, trust me. The battery should be ok, no need to remove when washing.

[CSL]

just spray it with a high pressure washer at the local car wash with degreaser and rinse it out.

[E90Fleet]

You mean the oil filler cap or the oil Filter cap ?

If filter cap then its not the first one on this board
Also know a number of E46 that had theirs loose.


Dealership should cleanup the car and fill up the oil again


Ive ome to the conclusion that the oil caps comming off are due to techs not torqueing the filters, but just tightening them as far as they think is good, just ike any on this board said they did when doing the oil change themselves.

Everybody, do youself a favour, check the oil filter cap by hand before you leave the dealer after a service, it shouldnt move by hand, if it does this will happen.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by CSL

To clean it what you do is use a high pressure washer and use degreaser on the engine. makeing sure the alternatior is covered with a plastic bag or something. Then rinse it out with the hose. Open the hood and let the car dry out before driving it. I used to detail cars, trust me. The battery should be ok, no need to remove when washing.

I hope the battery will be ok as all BMW batteries are in the trunk

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by CSL

just spray it with a high pressure washer at the local car wash with degreaser and rinse it out.

Usually in these cases there is oil on the underbody aswell, and the oil way to get there is to lift the car and take the covers off and clean them

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

I hope the battery will be ok as all BMW batteries are in the trunk

Some E46 4 Cylinder models had them in the front

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Some E46 4 Cylinder models had them in the front

Ok, let me clarify, all e9x batteries are in the trunk as is the case with some (not all) BMWs from the past and present.

[roppongicorolla]

I think it's best not to use any type of high pressure wash in the engine bay. let your car sit and cool, then wipe off what you can with a rag. spray affected areas with mild degreaser like simple green, allow a minute to penetrate then hose off (nozzle removed).

[BzsBimmer]

Have the dealer take care of it and clean it off for you. There is no reason why you should spend your hard earned cash cleaning it and then doing something wrong while cleaning.
The dealer has people who do this for a living so be somewhat civil about it since the dealer will already be in an apologetic state. Be firm but not overly rude or you'll just get angrier if they go into defense mode.
Mistakes will happen and of course you have every right to be pissed but let them make it right.

[David328M-Sport]

Let us know how your car is. Did the dealer assist you in a professional manner?7

[fw10ring]

The dealer took care of it no problems. I already had another item on the Due Bill so I had to bring the car in for that (care care treatment of interior and paint). They took care of it then.

Thanks all.