I know the obvious, that it is bad driving without oil. Here's my scenario:
I have come to find out that my oil gauge doesn't work. My check engine light came on, and I pulled over right away. I noticed my oil tank was totally empty. Filled it up, but now I wonder how much damage was caused. I know I have to take it in, but I am anxious to find out how much I will have to fork over.
2006-12-20 18:01:28 · 17 answers · asked by ItsJustMe 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The engine can malfunction.
2006-12-20 18:03:21 · answer #1 · answered by galactic129 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well this is not to be messed with no oil!!! the good thing is that when your check engine light came on you pulled over. It came on case the oil pressure was below the specs. (dumby light). It doesn't mean you did any damage. Heres how to check do a compression test cranck of the engine about 5 times with the trottle wide open and the spark plugs all out with the ingintion diabled. Your compression should be above 120. If not or lots of diffence between cylinders Use a leak down test you will have to listen to where the leak is coming from theres more info on the internet look up leak down test. If your car wont turn over when you try to start it kiss your engine good bye. good luck
2006-12-21 02:18:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The manufacturers make provision for this aspect and build in a safety margin of a couple of liters, (the motor would have seized if there was no oil at all) in that if you respond immediately to the low oil warning light or oil pressure gauge, and you were driving at a respectable rate then little or no damage will have been done, how ever my suggestion is to use a slightly heavier grade of oil which will take up slight wear on the crank etc.
Regards Snow
2006-12-21 02:17:38 · answer #3 · answered by Snow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had caused any major damage, you'd know it. without oil, the engine begins to seize up which means the pistons won't go up and down any more. If you don't have any loud knocking, then you are probably OK. One thing you should do is buy a can of crankcase cleaner. The auto parts store will carry it. read the directions on the can. Hint: make sure you can loosen the drain plug before putting it in. Sometimes running without oil can bind up that screw and you need to be able to get the cleaner out. If a lot of chunks come out when you drain the oil, repeat.
2006-12-21 02:08:19 · answer #4 · answered by fabrat1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The good news is you didn't seize the engine; that equals big money. It is hard to tell the extent of the damage otherwise. Oil cleans, lubricates, and cools, so the lack of it will cause premature wear, and in severe conditions overheating of the bearings and seizure. Depending on the mileage and condition of the vehicle, I would say if you do not have any abnormal noises and the thing runs like it always has, then make sure it has oil in it and drive it.
2006-12-21 02:09:09 · answer #5 · answered by therealhochang 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so long as it's driving ok you're fine. An engine can seize without oil. it gets hot and the pistons rub creating heat from friction. this fuses the pistons inside the shaft and you're screwed. could also just scrape up the engine and not melt completely in which case you will lose power on the same amount of gas. this can be fixed by boring out the pistons, but is only neccessary for high performance cars that want to go really fast.
2006-12-21 02:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can still drive the car, you haven't blown the engine. Have you noticed any difference in the way the car drives since you put the oil in?
There's not really a way to tell from your question if you harmed the engine or not.
2006-12-21 02:06:03 · answer #7 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
biggest concern would be rings. Now that you have oil in does it smoke on start up or hard acceleration? If so there's some damage. On the bright side if you had synthetic oil you may have dodged a bullet. They coat the metal better than regular oil
2006-12-21 02:05:59 · answer #8 · answered by demozast 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering that you found out just in time there shouldnt be anything wrong. If you would have kept going more than likely you car would have blown up and it wouldnt work ever again. If you dont see no ovious problems then I would save your money but from now on just check your fluids way more frequently. Hope this helps
2006-12-21 02:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by blazin_cripz_2006_0wner.sheena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oil in an engine is very important, it helps reduce friction. an engine without oil will probly only last about a mile.
your cylinder walls and piston rings are probly scorn causeing a loss of compression. that means your eninge will run like crap and should die anytime soon. every moving part in your engine is prone to damage from runing it without oil.
2006-12-21 02:08:07 · answer #10 · answered by thegfoley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An engine running without oil will: weld the bearings together if you go to far or wear the bearings down more then usual, it will wear your rings really quikly and put metal shavings all over the place.
2006-12-21 02:08:15 · answer #11 · answered by ptcruisher2001 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋