I try to name a post with a description of the problem and this title sums it up.......

I forgot to put my oil fill cap back on after I topped off (idiot move #1) and wasn't able to find it after I drove 35 miles. The inside of the hood and engine compartment were coated in oil, so I stuck a rag in the fill hole (idiot move #2).
I thought it wasn't in far enough for the camshaft to grab it........ I started it and checked - sure enough, the rag stayed put and only a little smoke came out, so I closed the hood and took off to go buy a cap. about 3 miles from the store, I heard a noise briefly, then a belch of blue smoke, then everything seemed fine.
I got the cap and when I opened the hood, guess what? No rag.......at least not where I stuck it. It was wrapped around a little node in between the #1 cylinder intake and exhaust cams.
I pulled the valve cover and got the bulk of the rag out, but there were shards of it all over the place. I spent the next hour cleaning it out and it looks like I got it all.
I plan on adjusting my valves (while I'm in there), replace the valve cover (new gasket) then changing the oil and filter after I run it till the oil is hot and flowing.

Now the questions...... Anyone else ever do this? What else should I do? Where exactly does the oil come out to lube the camshaft? I believe it flows down to the pan through the timing chain passage.....

Thanks

Phil

Alls I can say is "Hey man it happens."

__________________
1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

I think I would pull the pan. I would think it could easily clog the oil pump pickup.

Let us know how it goes.

I would change the oil, and then again after 500-1000 miles.

__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Maybe should drain the oil through a strainer to see if it catches any particles and then decide if the pan needs to come off based on what you catch? Hate to see you pull the pan if you don't have to.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

He sucked a rag into his motor. He has to........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

This seems to be a common occurence...not with these cars but with cars in general. Happened to a friend of mine, he just took it to a mechanic and I don't remember what they did with it. Also I read a story at a BMW forum where a kid did the same thing with his M3.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

So what are the learnings for the rest of us? Carry a spare cap? How about some suggestions on a cover that could be fabricated on the spot? Aluminum foil and twist-ties? Beer can from the gutter? Plastic bag? What would you do in Phil's place?

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Triple check your work, or at least double...

__________________
Sonny


86 190D N/A 2.5L Auto 265k "Ruby" -Sold-
79 300D 242k "Condi" my first -sold- RIP
2013 chevy sonic hatchback - had to for work

Never Ever Never Ever Never, Tell That Story Again, My Stomach Is Still Hurting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, things happen. Don't even ask me about the babe next door and my radiator fan....(on the truck, not one of the MBs). That being said, I do think ya have to have a look at the pick up strainer. Lotta cussing to lower the pan, I know (but still cheaper than a new radiator!).

And think of how easily the open valve cover could have been sealed with duct tape! Its: Strong, wouldn't get sucked in, would have created a great seal on the opening.....

Tis a sad day when people forget the healing/fixing powers of duct tape.

Always carry at least a few rolls!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

When in a situation like that, the fuel cap can substitute as an oil filler cap.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

The Red Green Show Official site.
www.redgreen.com/

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=duct+tape&btnG=Google+Search

Thanks for the inputs and I'm happy to provide the laughs...... The fuel cap is a great idea and it would have saved my Saturday!

.............I had a rag in hand and friggin' a roll of duct tape in the trunk that I didn't think of (idiot move #3).

phil