weird no start problem

[hermit]

so i went to the full serve gas station and they checked my oil and didnt replace the cap i drove it roughly 400km with the cap off so there is oil everywhere in my engine compartment and now im having electrical issues. when i turn the key all the lights go out and my car makes a noise like it is trying to spray windshield washer, the starter clicks once loudly then stops and my battery positive terminal smokes after trying to start it four times?

checked the relays and the fuses, tried hitting the starter with a hammer while someone turned the key, what should my next plan of action be? new starter? clean the engine bay connections? or possibly the ignition switch itself?

[FestYboy]

sue the service station.... make them pay for the repairs as they caused the problem and make sure they provide a rental while the festy is in the shop.

[devon527]

x2! That's insane, definitely need to go after them

[1988festivazoom]

U would need the recepit, and the video proof that they did not put the cap back on. So its kinda hard bc nobodys word in this day and age is any good bc everybody wants to sue everybody over nothing. This is why I check all of my own fluids and don't let anybody work on my car. The only way to know its done correctly is if u do it.

[scitzz]

The receipt should be enough. Talk the the station first...

[bravekozak]

If they don't admit to leaving it off, you have no recourse. I always get out of the car and inspect my engine before the hood is closed and I drive off into the sunset. I learned the hard way at Mr. Lube. What a mess under the hood of my Chevy Nova! They denied it. They said it was standard procedure to check that the oil cap is back on the valve cover. I now deny them.

[hermit]

ya im not planning on going after them for repairs I learned my lesson the hardway no more service station self serves lol but I really need help getting my car back on the road as its my daily driver.

[econoaddict]

By your description of what happens when you turn the key I would guess one of 2 things.
First clean and tighten both battery terminal connections, the clicking and no crank along with the smoke at the terminal indicate a bad connection.
or
Can you turn the engine over by hand? If it's siezed up it won't crank, just a loud clunk from the starter. Possibility due to oil loss.

[batstiva]

so i went to the full serve gas station and they checked my oil and didnt replace the cap i drove it roughly 400km with the cap off so there is oil everywhere in my engine compartment and now im having electrical issues. when i turn the key all the lights go out and my car makes a noise like it is trying to spray windshield washer, the starter clicks once loudly then stops and my battery positive terminal smokes after trying to start it four times?

checked the relays and the fuses, tried hitting the starter with a hammer while someone turned the key, what should my next plan of action be? new starter? clean the engine bay connections? or possibly the ignition switch itself?

Sucks man. FWIW, I would call the station, tell them what happened, and see what they say. Can't hurt.

As for your car, you're going to need to do a lot of cleaning. Pull the battery, clean the terminals. Probably also going to have to pull plug wires at the cap, and check for oil. Also probably going to have to pull the cap, and check under there, depending on how good the seal is on you cap. I don't think the fact that you blew oil all over the engine and components necessarily would destroy anything, I've seen some pretty oil caked engines still going strong. Do you have any idea how much, if any oil was actually left in the engine by the time you figured it out? Hope you are able to clean her up, and get her going.

[WmWatt]

Ask the station to get the car started for you.

[hermit]

went out desmorning and turned the engine over by hand no problem, then proceeded to clean all the connections, which remedied my no-start thank you all for the hasty replies and wicked help. there wasnt much oil left in the festy came just below the L on the dipstick.