Can low engine oil level cause a car to overheat in a 93 Hyundai Elantra?

Question

I pulled the thermostat, water pump seems to be turning fine, all belts seem to be in good shape, both fans turning and no visible smoke from exaust tail pipe however it was over a quart low on oil. Have'nt driven it since topping off oil this morning. What else should I check if it still get too hot?

Answer 1

first, the oil fulfills an important roll in the cooling of engine is not single lubrication. Low level of oil smaller lubrication and greater friction. Also Hyundai has oil injectors within the motor and underneath the pistons reducing the temperature of the pistons. by these reasons the oil is very important in the engines, now if the system absorbs a little air can be very bad for the engine, could cause serious problems.

Answer 2

Yes a low oil level can affect the temperature of the engine. If there isn't enough oil going through the crankshaft, camshaft, lifters, rockers basically through the entire motor then you get a little bit of metal on metal and that causes friction and the engine can and will run at a little higher temperature than normal. Also i would recheck your thermistat due to the fact that sometimes its hard to tell when the thermistat opens up. With the engine running grab the water hose returning to the radiator, it can be quite warm so be careful, but you can feel the coolant flowing through the hose and back into the radiator. If you can;t feel it then the next thing to do is to pull the thermistat after the motor cools, and put it in a pan of boiling water and you can visually watch it open up, if not it is bad. And they are only 5-10 bucks from any of your local parts stores.

Answer 3

I have heard that it is possible, but you wouldn't want your oil level to run low in the first place!

Oil absorbs heat, and that heat is dissipated as air flows over the oil pan. So, when you have a lower volume of oil you have less heat disspation.

I, however, see low oil as more of a contributing factor for overheating rather than the main cause, except if the oil was extremely low.

Answer 4

YES, IT CAN.
What is engine oil supposed to do? It is supposed to lubricate the moving parts inside the engine so that the engine does not overheat from excess friction. Did you ever hear anyone say: " I burned up my engine because I didn't have enough oil in it." You may be able to save your engine by putting a good quality engine oil in it, filled to the full mark on the dipstick. Eliminate any oil leaks ASAP.

Answer 5

That can be one effect of low oil. If there is not enough oil then there will be more friction between moving parts. More friction equals more heat. Its VERY bad to run an engine low on oil.

Answer 6

The fact that the heater does not work makes me think that the heater core is going out. Coolant flows through your heater core consistantly as does the radiator which is also considered a smaler version of the radiator. The heater core also what brings the heat into your car once you turn the heater on from your car. If your core is craked then it leaks out many times on the passenger floor board. If not that then your radiator may be leaking or a hose is craked. If its leaking coolant than its one of these issues. Go to a good macanic and have them check it out.

Answer 7

Generaly, no.

It's more likely low on coolant, has a bad thermostat, blown head gasket, plugged radiator, radiator fan not working.

Answer 8

Too Low Eng oil will sieze up.Eng.The temp of coolant in Eng.
is what you see in dash,Gauge.

Answer 9

low almost empty?yes.

low smething like almost ok ? no. it will not