Dropped W124 oil filler cap

[p. rex]

I was replacing the oil filler cap after adding oil to my '91 300E; it was quite hot, and I had to use a towel to put it back on. Of course, I dropped the damn thing into the engine bay, somewhere down by the exhaust manifold. I felt around below the engine, and looked down with a flashlight, and I cannot see any evidence of its existence anywhere. I even raised the car and looked in from below. It is nowhere to be found. Tomorrow, I plan to remove the plastic pan below the engine bay; hopefully, it'll fall right out, or at least I'll find out where it is.

I was just wondering, does anyone have any idea where the oil cap might get caught down there? I haven't had the car that long and am not familiar with it under the hood. Any advice at all would be appreciated, however

[Pete Geither]

When you drop that lower engine cover, chances are very good that the cap will show up.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

When you drop that lower engine cover, chances are very good that the cap will show up.

...and anything else dropped in the engine bay (screws, bolts, tools, etc...)

[JimFreeh]

If not on the plastic sound shield, it may have lodged on the engine mount or the crossmember.

Jim

[Lexxani]

sockets always land on my lower control arms when I drop them in my engine bay (still missing an 8mm allen socket), the way they are formed is conducive to accumulating debris and tools. . .

[Hirnbeiss]

Wall-E lives down there.