This thread if for all of the DIY Oil Changers on the forum. While browsing the benzworld forum, I read a thread that left me with my mouth hanging open. It seems that while doing his oil and filter change, rather than use a funnel and open the oil filler cap, he would just use the oil filter housing to pour in the new oil (before replacing the filter/cap). As the quart of oil would empty, he would stand it inverted in the housing while opening the next quart. On the third quart, he just happened to look into the housing and there was the plastic ring from the bottle cap, ready to be washed down into the engine with the next quart.

Oh my gosh!!! How many times have I turned over a quart of oil and shoved it into the hole without a second thought?!?!?!

I have noticed that now, most oil fill locations have a guard beneath the cap (probably for this very reason). But even without, dropping a cap ring there would be much less catastrophic than down into the oil pan, and much easier to retrieve.

So, I have learned a couple of things from this and thought I would share them. First, only put oil in where it is supposed to be. Use a funnel, or in lieu of that, make sure to remove the cap ring as well. Count your bottles, caps, AND RINGS when you are cleaning up. If this saves one engine...it’s worth it.

 

Thanks for the WARNING! Too often I do routine things without thinking (like oil changes). These "****-Cranial" events can happen to anyone. Thanks again for posting this!

 

Did you see where the guy dropped a rag into oil filler mouth, didn't know and started up the MB!!!
Funny but sad!!!

 

Stuff Happens!!! And sometimes, it happens much easier than anyone could imagine. The cap rings just blew my mind because I can't even begin to tell you how many times it could have possibly happened to me. I haven't changed the oil in the Crossfire yet, but you can bet that with every oil change, that will be on my mind.

 

I took a valve cover off a '68 dodge and there were literally like 12 of them in the valvetrain.
I have seen it many times...I does happen.
I take them off I not using a funnel.