No dipstick - 3K miles

[lvfischer]

It appears I've been running my 96 Maxima last 4 months - 3000 miles without the dipstick in. Shop evidently didn't put it back. Had a strange smell today - burning? - vapor? from rear of engine when I looked under hood. Then noticed the dipstick missing - Added 1/2 qt of oil - now no smell - engine doesn't seem terribly dirty.Had I lost a lot of oil? Is damage to the engine likely?Will take it in & have it drained. Don't really know how to approach the shop about this Any thoughts??

[00MaxSE]

I don't think that a whole lot of oil could've gotten out through the dipstick tube. I would think that the shop would owe you a brand new OEM dipstick and maybe an oil change.