Just a paranoid question. Last night when I did my oil change, I ran into a few problems (oil filter was stuck on) and had to warm up the engine for a second time. I forgot I took the oil cap off and started it up and left it running for about 5 minutes. Something sounded a bit strange (hopefully nothing serious) and that's when I finally realized the oil cap was off I turned it off and proceeded to finish up the oil change. When I restarted the engine later to check for leaks, it took it a little longer than normal to start up, but I assumed that was just because of the oil change. I doubt anything bad happened (especially since I wasn't actually driving), but I figured I'd double check with you guys just to be safe. It sounded ok after it warmed up, but I haven't had a chance to drive it yet. Thanks in advance!

 

Only thing that could happen is a big mess. But that's all.

 

Thanks Jeff, that's a relief!

 

I did the same thing once, that was years ago. The bad thing was, it took me about half a day of driving before i realize what was going on, of course a made a big mess under the hood, other than that, the car keep running until the day we sold it. No, it wasn't my maxima. It was a 1980 Honda Accord.
It also happened in San Francisco.

 

yeah, normally after you do some kind of repair to your car you pay more attention and thats when you get paranoid about noises and stuff you hear. But normally it isnt anything other than the usual.

 

your engine wasnt able to build oil pressure and it would have sent oil flying out of the hole where your oil cap should have been. I have seen it happen a few times. I did work at jiffy lube but now at valvoline. it usually happens when people check their oil level and see that its really low so they add oil and think "ooh I prob need an oil change if its low" and they forget to put the cap on so when they bring it in oil is all over the engine.

 

A bit of dusty air got sucked into the crankcase. Big deal! Same as driving with the cap closed for another week.

 

Thanks for the responses guys! I got so distracted by the oil filter not budging that I totally let the oil cap slip my mind. I went and borrowed my buddy's filter wrench (my cheapo one just kept slipping off of it) and within seconds of using it, the oil filter spun right off.

 

I do not have a wrench. Instead I use an outdoor extension cord that I wrap 2-3 times around the filter and pull on one end. The filter comes off easy.

 

I have a big freaking set of channel locks.
you're going to throw the filter away anyway, so who cares what it looks like.

 

I just give the filter the grip o death and pull that mother right off. Oh yeah I also only use Fram and they have a grip on it that makes it VERY easy to get off. That and Im very strong!

 

Strap wrench. Works on all filters. Expecially the oddball Toyota one I use. No one stocks a wrench that fits and I'm not buying the wrench from Toyota!