It sounds to me like you're trying to discreetly ask if we think someone
stole your cap. It seems obvious to me that someone at the show took it.
(ie) If it was on the car at the show, then it was obviously firmly in place
during the trip to the show, which means there is essentially no chance that
it fell off on the trip home. Add to this the relative rarity of the
original caps, the fact that lots of people at the show have cars like yours
that they are in the middle of restoring, and that, although 95% of people
are law-abiding citizens, the remaining 5% wouldn't think twice about
stealing your cap, you've got your answer.
Bob
>I'm looking for the voice of experience. The scenario is this:
>
>I filled up the engine sump with oil just before I left and put on the
>valve cover cap (I know this is fact). I drove 75 miles to Tampa to an
>all British Car Show car show.
>
>At the show I had both halves of the bonnet raised so viewers/judges
>could observe the engine compartment. I didn't observe anything was
>missing; but then, I wasn't suspicious.
>
>After the show, I closed the bonnet and drove home at a steady 65 mph
>(3250 rpm). No noticeable smell of oil burning.
>
>This morning I raised the bonnet on the left side. I noticed two VERY
>small "runs" or trickle of oil on the underside. I immediately noticed
>the cap to the valve cover was missing!
>
>Further inspection showed a slight (not heavy) mist of oil on the battery.
>
>My question is this. How much oil would bounce/spray out of the valve
>cover filler opening when the engine is running? Since I see very light
>evidence of oil external to the cover, I am thinking that the cap must
>have come off just before I arrived home. However, perhaps my thinking
>is wrong. Maybe not much oil would spray out in any situation. I don't
>know. If very little oil would spray out during the 75 mile ride home,
>then that would mean my search for the cap would be in vain. I have
>already search the road traveled for a distance of 4 miles.
>
>Has anyone driven any distance with the valve cap off? What was the
>effect over what period of time. The filler hole on my valve cover is
>about 2.5 inches in diameter and is raised about half an inch from the
surface.
>
>Stu Keen
>Venice, FL
>51 MGTD MkII
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