After changing my oil yesterday I went to throw away empty oil quarts, etc. and noticed one of the plastic rings under the cap on the quart bottle was missing.....so then I started second guessing myself, "I wonder if it fell in the oil fill?" I took out a flashlight and looked but couldn't see anything, take the valve cover off....nothing at all in there and notice that the hole in the back where the oil runs is pretty darn small. I did run the engine for a few minutes before I realized the "possible" problem. The only thing I'm now wondering, is the oil system pressurized? Could the plastic ring, if it's even in there have been "sucked in"?? Once again I'm not even sure that it's in there, more than likely not, but what do you guys think, is it possible it was sucked down or does the oil just drain down from there?

You are over thinking.

Definitely.....not going to get sucked in.

plastic gonna give before metal. lol

it probly fell on the ground somewhere. I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd start tearing it down immediately!!!

Yea you guys are making me feel a little better about it...once I didn't see anything under the valve cover I assumed I was ok. The hole at the very back is so small, I don't think much would pass through anyway...anything that could probably wouldn't hurt much. Sometimes it's other giving you reassurance that makes it a little easier!!!

On the other hand,
SETx.....your killin me bro!!

So nobody really answered my earlier question.....is the oil system pressurized? How exactly does it work....just curious now!

Just to say something would indeed fall in, the small hole in the bottom on the backside after you pull the valve cover off.....is it a system of tiny ports, are there any screens in there to block trash, etc.

Although the hole is verrry small....somethings would have to be minute to get into it....which I guess if it's that small to get in, it couldn't hurt much anyway....correct? Im still trying to decide what the odds are that a plastic piece/ring like I'm talking about could make it through the tiny hole under the back of where the valve cover comes off?

I guess I'm always just a "worst case scenario" thinker....so I always end up asking lots of "what ifs".

Also while researching this I notice on the Briggs site it talks about low oil shut offs, does anyone know if the 37 EFI is equipped with this?? The reason I'm wondering is I figure "worst case scenario is something gets stuck in the and possibly restricts oil flow correct?

Learning more about these damn things everyday!!! Or every time I run into an "issue"!!! Also I don't like to think of myself as crazy.....more like thorough!!! Lol

There is a pump inside the crankcase that rides on the cam. There is a screen on the pickup.