Why did the oil cap and oil dip stick fly into the air

grammagrace · Post by **grammagrace** » 08 Feb 2019, 13:55

Cold, cold day and one of several....car started right up and seemed to run fine for such a cold day. Didn't really push her to get up the large hill going out of town, maybe up to 50 miles an hour, when it sort of coughed a couple of times, I let off the gas, and it smoothed out. Pulled up the stop sign and it died out on trying to go again. Couldn't get it to start. Low on fuel so suspected condensation in tank so added some gas and tried again. Tried to turn over then boom - the oil cap and dip stick fly into the air and that seems to be all she wrote! What the heck happened?? Motor replaced just last year and have had some small leaks that I've been trying to solve ever since and now this!! WHat made the oil cap and dip stick fly sky high? Is this motor blown too? Motor number three for this car....shaking my head.....any ideas appreciated.

Post by **oragex** » 08 Feb 2019, 13:59

Like this ?
That's when the PCv is badly clogged - may save it but I'd say if the car has many miles it may be time to let it go. When it's badly clogged you get other problems including leaking engine seals and worse, lack of lubrication

Have a look at the timing belt while there

grammagrace · Post by **grammagrace** » 08 Feb 2019, 14:03

We had blown out the PCV a few months ago....as I recall it hadn't been too bad...
I'm not near the car now, but will look into these suggestions.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 08 Feb 2019, 14:38

Couple things - first if the block was not cleaned out when the PCV was serviced this is most likely the problem.

Second, in extreme cold weather, if the engine does not get warm enough, the air and combustion moisture will freeze and form a clot that could cause what you describe. Very common on certain BMW engines.

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 08 Feb 2019, 14:44

I think we might need a better clarification of your "blown out the PCV" comment.

grammagrace · Post by **grammagrace** » 08 Feb 2019, 18:05

Cleared it out I guess would be a better way to put it.

Post by **abscate** » 08 Feb 2019, 18:08

Check the fuel pressure regulator for gas leaks. You might have had a crankcase fuel explosion rather than a blocked PCV

Post by **mrbrian200** » 08 Feb 2019, 22:57

abscate wrote: ↑08 Feb 2019, 18:08 You might have had a crankcase fuel explosion rather than a blocked PCV

That's what I was thinking. Boom while trying to restart a stalled engine was the tip off.

grammagrace · Post by **grammagrace** » 09 Feb 2019, 11:49

Thanks all for the input! Once we got the car to a garage, (was dead on a hill in negative wind chill temps) and replaced the weak battery we could smell the rotten eggs. So once that is replaced, I'm hoping I'm good to go for a while at least. I do appreciate all the helpful people on here - I've lurked for ages and learned a lot! Thanks