Smoke out of engine oil cap?

[F9T]

I just had my oil changed at the dealer and after driving the car for a little while I opened the engine oil cap and noticed that a little bit of smoke was coming out. Is this normal? Could it be the result of the dealer using the wrong oil?

[IFX]

maybe they over-filled?

[F9T]

Originally Posted by IFX

maybe they over-filled?

It shows that the level is correct. Could using too low of a viscosity of oil cause this?

[epiphone3]

Are you talking about getting the engine hot, then stopping and shutting down the motor and then opening the engine oil filler cap? If so, it is normal for there to be a little smoke in there when you open the cap... it may actually be vapour but whatever.

[Mr.MichaelM3]

................Really? Of course its normal!!! Especially if it's after you just drove the car!

[F9T]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

Are you talking about getting the engine hot, then stopping and shutting down the motor and then opening the engine oil filler cap? If so, it is normal for there to be a little smoke in there when you open the cap... it may actually be vapour but whatever.

Yes, that is what I am talking about. It smells a little too.

[F9T]

Alright, before everyone gets too crazy let me explain why I am paranoid about this...

I just took my car to Crevier for its 1200 mile service and the receipt said that they put 5W30 in the car. I immediately walked back in and talked to my SA. He spoke with the service tech and the parts guy and they both assured him that 10w60 was used and that there was a typo on the receipt. So now I am just freaked out that they used the wrong oil. I think I am just going to have it rechanged by an independent shop.

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by infantrytroop22

Alright, before everyone gets too crazy let me explain why I am paranoid about this...

I just took my car to Crevier for its 1200 mile service and the receipt said that they put 5W30 in the car. I immediately walked back in and talked to my SA. He spoke with the service tech and the parts guy and they both assured him that 10w60 was used and that there was a typo on the receipt. So now I am just freaked out that they used the wrong oil. I think I am just going to have it rechanged by an independent shop.

why not just have them re-issue the receipt with it say that they put 10W60 in it?

The smoke you are seeing has nothing to do with the oil weight. That will happen no matter which oil you put in it. Its normal.

[shendrick]

You'll be much happier if you do it yourself. You can order the oil from Turner for a reasonable price and changing the oil is something that you will want to do off-cycle anyway. If you open the cap when the motor is hot I would assume that 200 degree F oil would give off vapor regardless whether it is 5w-30 or 10w-60.

If they cannot show you the empty container for the oil - I would ask them to do it again since if they did put the wrong oil in the car - and you intend to keep it well past 4 years, well then ...

[chmura]

Originally Posted by infantrytroop22

Alright, before everyone gets too crazy let me explain why I am paranoid about this...

I just took my car to Crevier for its 1200 mile service and the receipt said that they put 5W30 in the car. I immediately walked back in and talked to my SA. He spoke with the service tech and the parts guy and they both assured him that 10w60 was used and that there was a typo on the receipt. So now I am just freaked out that they used the wrong oil. I think I am just going to have it rechanged by an independent shop.

I would do the same. I would buy my own oil and bring that oil in and get it changed AGAIN. Its cheap insurance of about $120 but I would sleep much much better at night knowing I have the correct oil in there and not 5w30.

I changed my own oil after my 1200 miles service too. Let me know if you need any help! I have a shop also.

[F9T]

They did reissue a receipt saying the 10w60 was put in but that doesn't mean much.

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by infantrytroop22

They did reissue a receipt saying the 10w60 was put in but that doesn't mean much.

it means you're not on the hook should you have an oil related failure.

[F9T]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

it means you're not on the hook should you have an oil related failure.

I wouldn't be on the hook anyway since it was their error in printing the incorrect receipt.

[shendrick]

Keep the original summary of work performed that says they put 5w-30 in the car. This way you have an audit trail of their error if you do have an oil related problem. Their revised receipt was designed to take them off the hook not you.

[Diavel Tom]

Originally Posted by infantrytroop22

I wouldn't be on the hook anyway since it was their error in printing the incorrect receipt.

True, but the fact that you got them to admit the error by printing a new receipt would take any doubt out of the equation should there be an issue down the road.

As noted by someone else, keep both receipts in your files.

[IFX]

this is strange, alot of dealers seem to mis-print what oil they used on the receipt. This is like the 3rd case i've seen on the forums..

[lve2xlr8]

Crevier services countless M vehicles, I highly doubt the mechanic used the wrong oil...