filler cap left off
 

Took my new-to-me 2001 SV650N for an oil and filter change at a local garage this morning, picked it up an hour later, and rode about 1–2 miles, uphill, overtaking a line of traffic as I went. Revved to maybe 7500 rpm. Stopped at some lights and realized my right shin was covered in oil, the oil filler hole was smoking, and there was no oil filler cap on the hole.

The mechanic came and picked me up in a van, took me back to the garage, and topped up the oil. About .25L had gone missing – the sight glass showed the oil level hadn't dropped below the minimum mark. New oil filler cap was added (apparently from another SV 650 they had there as a project bike).

The mechanic tells me it definitely won't have done any harm to the engine. He seems a nice enough bloke, but he does have an interest in thinking that. Anyone else had a similar experience to this, or knowledge of whether the engine will have been affected?

Thanks!

Re: filler cap left off
 

Engine will be fine. You would a lost a wee bit of oil but as you have said not enough to starve the engine.

Re: filler cap left off
 

That's good to hear! Thanks.

Re: filler cap left off
 

I rode for over 20 miles before i noticed i had done same thing. Mine was ok so no reason why yours should not be.

Re: filler cap left off
 

It will be right. Why did the tit leave it loose/off?

Re: filler cap left off
 

Send him the cleaning bill!

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence that sort of thing does it? What else did they not put back on? Wouldn't be a surprise if your bike is now without a sump plug washer would it?

Re: filler cap left off
 

As far as why the filler cap was missing, my guess is they ran the engine up to check the oil level after the change, took it off to top up, and forgot to put it back on again.

People do make mistakes – as long as the engine's OK, I think I can afford to be sanguine about it. They seem like nice guys, and the mechanic was distraught when I rang to say, "Oi! My leg's covered in oil!" (I do think I might do my own oil and filter change next time, though.)

Thanks for the earlier posts about having done the same thing. Very reassuring to hear your bike was fine afterwards!

I'm really grateful for all the advice.