I have an 88 Mazda 323 that I just bought. It ran fine for the past few weeks since I bought it. Then, this morning, I changed the oil. The old oil wasn't in bad shape, just average used oil. No grit and no grime. Just dark colored like normal wear. I used Valvoline 10W-40 for my oil change.
After the oil change, the car ran normally for about a mile or so, then the oil light came on. I got out and checked the oil level, and it was fine. I added a little more oil (about 1/4 of a quart) just in case that was the issue, but the oil light still stayed on.
I drove it slowly back home, and about a mile before I got back, the engine started making a weird noise. Kind of a ticking, or a clicking sound. Rhythmic, almost like it was skipping....only not skipping-- CLICKING! I made it to the driveway and shut it off quickly.
Have I ruined my engine by changing my oil??
2007-02-27 04:44:46 · 6 answers · asked by MOOCH 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
DRFIXIT: The new filter I installed was identical to the old one.
2007-02-27 04:52:25 · update #1
I believe you have a major problem. The oil light on the dashboard doesn't usually indicate your oil level, but how much oil PRESSURE you have (in a few late-model cars, it will indicate both.) The rule is to shut the engine off as soon as the light goes on. If you have plenty of oil, then you know its a pressure problem, and that the engine must not be started. Running the engine even for another minute can result in a ruined engine.
10W-40 oil is probably too thick for your car (especially during winter), but this wouldn't usually cause this problem unless the extra pressure from the too-thick oil blew out an internal seal in the oil lines. Then oil pressure would drop to almost nothing, and your bearings would promptly fail, but you wouldnt actually lose oil (it would leak back into the oil pan.)
Also, some filters have a plastic cover across the gasket to keep foreign matter out of the filter while it's in the box. If this is left on when the filter is screwed on, it will block the oil from passing through the filter, dropping oil pressure drastically, and wrecking the engine.
Or the filter intelf may be faulty. Some come with an internal valve to prevent all the oil from draining down into the oil pan when you shut the engine off. This keeps the engine lubricated when you start it next. If this valve has jammed, it could possibly prevent the oil from circulating within the engine (although I've never heard of it actually happening.)
Whatever the cause, it looks like you've at least destroyed the bottom end of your engine (the over-worn crankshaft and connecting rod bearings will cause that clinking sound) - and probably damaged the top end as well.
Good luck.
2007-02-27 05:15:11 · answer #1 · answered by Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The oil -engine light measures the oil pressure, not the oil level. For an 88 Mazda 10-40W is fine. For some reason you have no oil pressure or the oil pressure sending unit is faulty. If it is the oil pressure and you drove it for a while, ger ready for the worst.
2007-02-27 05:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by cimra 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless you have a truck or suv, 10w 40 is too heavy. you should be using 10w 30. Having too much oil isn't a good thing either, so that could have made it worse. you could have seriously damaged the engine. Probably best to get it looked at soon. Have it towed if possible, i wouldnt drive it.
2007-02-27 04:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have major problems at this point quite possibly if the oil is full you have a incorrect oil filter on the engine.
2007-02-27 04:50:12 · answer #4 · answered by DRFIXIT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have it towed away to a shop dont drive it sounds like lifters are tapping may have lost the oil pump
2007-02-27 04:51:28 · answer #5 · answered by gregs111 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GET IT TO THE SHOP
2007-02-27 04:47:27 · answer #6 · answered by an_articulate_soul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋