My oil light has been coming on for awhile but only when I go downhill. Tonight my engine made whirring noises, I checked and there was NO oil left. (It has always had a slow leak and I have no idea the last time it was filled.) I am walking to the gas station tomorrow to buy some oil to put in it, I read my instruction book how. My question is: after I put the oil in will my car be safe to drive? How do I know if I already blew up my engine? It didn't smoke.
2007-11-25 15:59:00 · 19 answers · asked by Book Addict 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You probably is safe from not blowing engine make sure you get at least 5 quarts sound like you have none at all, keep a check on the oil this is what makes the car run proper. Also you need to change oil and get the leak fixed could be gaskets leaking and if you no someone who might help its not that expensive, under 50 for parts. Work your stuff you need help.
2007-11-25 16:07:11 · answer #1 · answered by deneansmith@att.net 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Car & Year? Engine & Mileage? "Low Oil Light" Means No Oil Getting to the Engine! how Much and what did the noise sound like? After you put in Oil, Will the Engine Turn over and Start? Desribe the Noises you hear? With a Leak of any kind check Every "Two Days" At Least!
"BLOWN" We'll find out after you add oil and see if the engine will start.
2007-11-25 16:18:49 · answer #2 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you know you've not done your car any good. I think you may be living on borrowed time. I would check the oil every day and keep extra oil in the car. Run the heaviest oil you can buy for an engine. I have heard of some people slipping in some rear axle oil at a 90 weight but I wouldn't chance that.
Your engine could seize up or one day just decide to blow a gasket or a piston and then you'll be seeing a few chunks of metal rolling down the road in your rear view mirror.
If it's a leak, there's various products on the market to help slow or stop them. Some work to various degrees.
2007-11-25 17:05:35 · answer #3 · answered by rann_georgia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi You say the engine runs hot whilst at a standstill but cools back down when moving. This sounds normal. Whilst you are sat still, the cooling fan should cut in and out every now and again, & as long as it does actually cut in then back off again, there is no problem. If it cuts in & remains on & the engine temp continues to rise then you have a problem. If the fan does not cut in at all and the temperature is therefore allowed to rise too high then you need to assess why the fan isn't working. As far as water in the remnants of the oil is concerned, then if you only ever do short journeys, this will allow moisture to build up in the oil due to you not running the car long enough for the moisture to be evaporated away. If you do only drive short journeys, then once or twice a week you should take the car for a good blast to allow the moisture to evaporate out of the oil. A good 10 mile blast should do it. If the car is running without any issues then chances are its fine, but have a cooling system pressure check carried out just to make sure. Very best regards Geordie
2016-05-25 23:26:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the oil light comes on in a car it is an indication that there is an oil pressure problem. Normally it means that the oil level is low, but some times it can indicate that the main engine bearings are on there way out.
I suspect that when you re-fill the engine with oil that the engine will be fine, however if the oil light still comes on when the engine is running I would suggest taking the car to a garage asap.
Ja.
2007-11-25 21:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you need to do is put enough oil in to fill it to the top mark on the dipstick, then give it a try. You may be lucky and it may well run fine, in which case the very next thing is to get the leak fixed, and learn to check your oil regularly.
If you ARE lucky, I'd have the oil and filter changed anyway at the same time as you get the leak sorted, then you know where you are.
2007-11-25 18:36:27 · answer #6 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was a whirring rather than just straight up seizing, there may still be enough oil left coating the cylinder walls that the engine will still work, but not enough oil to be measurable in the pan.
Add plenty of oil, and drive it very easily listening for any noises.
2007-11-25 16:14:53 · answer #7 · answered by ahanix1989 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well it can't hurt to put oil in it because there is none anyway. It may had just run out shortly after you checked it. If you had no oil in it for a certain amount of time your car would have probably blown due to parts locking up from not having proper lubrication. If it's not smoking then you could be safe. I would just put the amount of oil you need and try out your car to see what happens. If it's blown then you can't really hurt it more than it already is.
2007-11-25 16:08:53 · answer #8 · answered by Sam 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Add oil and hope for the best. Make sure you get at least 1 gallon of oil, if it is completely empty you may use allmost all of it. Don`t just add 1 qt. You may want to start doing a simple little thing like checking the oil every time you fill up with gas
2007-11-25 16:08:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the car doesnt start after you fill the oil, the engine is gone. But if it does start, allow the car to warm up to normal operation temperature before you drive it. Take it to a garage and have them check for leaks if you cant find it yourself(change the drain plug first) and get opinions from more than one garage to minimize your chances of getting screwed. Furthermore, after this make sure to check your oil regularly and be sure to change it or have it changed every 3000 miles.
2007-11-25 17:56:08 · answer #10 · answered by Spacep1mp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋