The longer you own your Audi, the more likely you will start to run into problems when wear and tear gets the best of the mechanical and electrical parts of your car. One of these problems could be a loose or ill-fitting oil cap. Although an oil cap seems like such a small part of the whole, driving without an oil cap or loose one could cause severe problems in your Audi.
Believe it or not, a loose oil cap can cause real problems or issues in your vehicle. Below are a few things that could happen.
- Escaping oil: The most detrimental thing that can occur from a missing or loose oil cap is the loss of oil. Your car needs a certain amount of oil to run, but a loose-fitting cap could cause your vehicle to slowly lose this lubricating If you begin to lose large amounts of oil, your engine could be in serious trouble and eventually seize up. Your engine will not be adequately lubricated, and the engine could be damaged as a result.
- Warning lights illuminate: As your car begins to experience an issue, you may notice warning lights come on in your Audi. If this happens, you should contact your vehicle technician for service as soon as you can to avoid any further damage. The reason the warning lights may indicate that you are either losing oil or some sort of particles have made their way inside the oil reservoir.
- Dust and debris: When you hear about dust and debris possibly entering your engine, you may think that this should not be a problem because they would only be small particles. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Oil is used to lubricate the engine as well as keep all the engine parts running smoothly. When dust and debris get in, they create irregularities in the oil. This creates clumping, scraping of parts, and friction, which is the enemy of a smooth-running engine. This friction will make your Audi’s engine run hot. One of the warning lights you might see could be due to engine overheating.
What To Do If Your Discover Your Oil Cap is Loose
There are really a few different situations here. The cap could simply be loose-fitting and isn’t being tightened enough. It may have been over tightened and is causing stress on the reservoir.
If you suspect problems with the oil cap, contact your trusted Audi technician. Let them know your concerns, how long you believe it may have been loose, and any signs or symptoms you may have noticed. You will want to schedule an appointment to ensure no damage was done to your vehicle in this time period.
If it is not possible for the oil cap to be tightened correctly, the cap will need replacement. Again, you will want to contact your mechanic and apprise them of the situation. Check under your hood to see if there is evidence that oil has spilled onto your engine or has escaped the oil reservoir. If so, you might want to have it towed in for repairs, as oil is a flammable substance that can ignite.
When making an appointment, be clear that your oil cap is damaged and can not be appropriately secured to the vehicle. Request that they check for any damage that may have occurred to your engine before you realized that there was an issue. A good Audi mechanic will check your oil levels, too. Getting an oil change and changing your oil filter would be a good idea at this point to ensure your Audi is starting fresh out of the shop with a clean slate.
Call The Professionals at Turning Wrenches
If you are an Audi owner in Louisville, KY, the vehicle 
technicians at Turning Wrenches can help with all your Audi needs for repair and maintenance. If you are concerned about your loose oil cap, look no further than the courteous and trained professionals at Turning Wrenches.
Our qualified mechanics can assist you with any issues you are experiencing with your Audi. Please stop by or call to make an appointment today.