99 oldsmobile intrigue? Car trouble..?

Question

I wrote before about my car. It's a 99' oldsmobile intrigue. 3.8 motor. Broke down on the road. Someone screwed up the oil change and all of the oil leaked out, the car ran hot, water boiled out, and the car's system shut itself down. Put oil and water in. Car made it home but wouldn't start the next morning. We did crank it a lot when it stopped, trying to get it to start again, after it cooled down. The starter tore up, we put a new one in it. It cranks over but won't start. It's not out of gas. The battery gets a spark. The head doesn't appear to be craked, because there is no water in the oil. Does anyone know what else could be wrong with it. Thanks.

Answer 1

Check the plugs. You could have crispy crittered them. If not the rings could be gone leaving you with no compression or you could have fried components in the ignition system. Don't worry about apark at the battery. Pull a spark plug wire, hold it close to the engine, crank it over and look for a good blue spark. A weak or yellow spark won't cut it.

Answer 2

The biggest problem is that it's a '99 Olds Intrigue. When a motor overheats, a lot of things can happen... none of them good. Just because you see no water in the oil doesn't mean you don't have a cracked head. You could also have oil in your water, or water in the exaust... depends on where the crack is.

I just had the same oil loss problem resulting in a destroyed crank bearing. If you don't have a good mechanic in the family (or in bed with you when you wake up in the morning) you are better off scraping the car. It's virtually worthless as a trade in, and the thousand/s you will have to put into it just to get it back to being a '99 Olds would be better spent as a down on a new/er car. Sorry, but I've been twisting wrenches for 30 years and the likelyhood that it would be as simple as adding water and oil is about as good as you winning the lottery. If it were only a head gasket, you are still looking at over $1000, unless you are a mechanic.

Answer 3

When you try to start the car, does it sound like it's turning over normally or does it now sound a little strange? Considering you lost oil, odds are good that something seized or was damaged by lack of lubrication. Broken cams are not uncommon...check the compression on all cylinders before you go any further.

A cracked head doesn't always show up in the oil, either. If you have access to a cooling system pressure gauge, install it on the radiator while you crank it over and see if pressure builds on the gauge. Not conclusive by itself, but a relatively easy test to make.

Answer 4

Someone changing Oil did that to me before (Incorrect Oil Filter, Friend They Left the Pan Plug Loose) Car Overheated and Died. Next Day Added and started it but it had Destroyed the Engine. They Replaced the Engines in my and my Friends cars.

Have it Checked!! You engine may be Junk Now!?

Answer 5

if you ran it dry on oil the engine is ruined in it,that's why it is not going to start,the place that changed the oil will be responsible for it,get in touch with them,i doubt that you,ll get that one running good again,and there's no way you can tell if the head is cracked on it if it got hot more than likely it is,it cracks on the inside not the outside,basically the engine may be a junk now in it,good luck.

Answer 6

took it to my mechanic he couldnt there is greater effective than one mechanic on the city went to the broker who revenues vehicle and not a save who repaired them.. final place to bypass sorry merely element i will say is bypass to a distinctive shop have a greater desirable mechanic take a glance fairly could be large if it became doing what it does while its there so next tiem it stops have it towed to a save

Answer 7

check the spark plugs, clean reinstall, maybe there just fouled.