Bug*er - a warning to all...

General Discussion Forums MX-5 Chat
2

 

 Woke up with a hangover today so instead of having a drive (at the wrath of the old bill), I thought I would treat the 5 to a bit of attention and TLC (much deserved and as a rule I try to give something back every once in a while as the jalopy has given me much fun during the last 5 years).

I did the tyre pressures (bit of a cider sweat started as I pumped the pedal but I kept going like a true MX5 enthusiast)…

a nice wash and polish…

washer fluid…

painted the washer arms a nice satin black to match the lovely flat bladed wipers I fitted a few weeks back…

added a bit of redex to the petrol I filled the tank with yesterday…

a squirt or 2 of teflon spray/lubricant in the engine bay to abate the surface corrosion…

then my attention went to adding a bit more of the Wynns oil additive I religiously add after changes…had about 100ml left so thought - “use it”…

took the oil cap off, looked at it…no sludge so head gasket OK…

sniffed it…, slight carbon smell so no probs really for a 10 year old engine - so not frying the oil too much…

went back to the garage for the Wynns and…

…started tidying the tool box and found some duct tape - mind wandered to a quick fix I saw on here about hood release mechanism rattle - clean-add tape, add copper slip…open/close, open/close, open/close, …JOY no rattle so went for a drive…after deciding I was up to the job and legal…no probs and a nice few miles in a clean car.

So 4 hours later I decided to walk down to the pub with the better half and noticed an oil filler cap in the gutter…shock, horror etc, etc,  etc, a big soap opera Eastenders drum roll finish and…did I fit my cap again?.. walked back to the house lifted the hood and…bugger…

…it was my cap 300 yards down the road…oil everywhere in the engine bay, checking her tomorrow and hoping its messy only and not an issue.

 mmmmmmmmmm, cider again in the house tonight to “help me forget”…

3

 ooooopppppppps should be ok

4

 I hope so…would like to work on the car now but its dark and the “forgetful juice” has kicked in.

I did the same thing 15 years ago with my Ford Escort MK3 - ran it for 15 miles along the M6 but the engine light came on and oil was everywhere.

I think the closeness of the  5 hood to the head cover might prevent the worst and only ran it for around 4 miles or so today  -the cap was actually 300m or so from my house, but I only came up the street on the way back from my short run out, I was so lucky to see it  and have put a few lucky dips on the lottery tonight as my luck might be in…I will post tomorrow to confirm how much oil I have lost/how much Gunk required to tidy things up

5

 that read like a minature novel there 1800, good cliff hanger finish as well, but as per all good novels, there must be a secual with, lets hope ,a happy ending mate,

6

p/s try washing the engine bay out with cider, rather than your own insides next time[;)]  and let us know what the wife thought of your moment [:D]

7

Yes I hope for a happy sequel too, will let you know tomorrow.

Cheers.

 

8

 That and the teflon should help to keep the rust at bay.[:)]

9

 Nice and clean engine bay now, gunked and washed (considered using the remainder of the cider to cleanse the engine as suggested but its the premium scrumpy type not the Netto special so Gunk was still cheaper). 

Oil level was OK so must have only been splashing/misting from the cams.

Had a 40 mile run out this morning around Durham after cleaning it and small top up, and seems OK.

10

 you were obviously aware subconciously that it was missing,or you wouldnt have noticed it.(unless you spend your time looking ingutters).

friend at work had a puncture on his way in ,a while back.( locking nuts). changed wheel and then couldnt find special socket,thought hed left it on the wheel nut. bug*er lost that he thinks.

i drive down to see someone else, and spot the thing in the middle of the road, 3miles away.stopped and picked it up for him…

i wont say he was gobsmacked…but he did get me a beer.

steve

funny old world innit