Running engine low on oil
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Running engine low on oil
Hey all,
Hate that I even need to post this. I've owned many ap1s and know you have to check oil frequently because they burn oil. I change oil every 3,000 miles, "usually.
So now I was 1200 miles overdue for oil change because I went on a long trip.
My vtec started lagging three days ago and when this happens I know it's usually due to low oil. In the past I had a b16 vtec was engaging like shit, turns out I was really low on oil, once oil was added it was fine. Anyway, two days ago my car started having a weird funny noise, it sounded like a raspy sound or exhaust leak. I thought it was exhaust for sure. Anyway finally after being a bad owner I went and checked my oil today. None on dipstick. I add one quart, nothing really on dip stick. Add a second quart a little registers on dipstick, add a THIRD quart and it filled it just under the full line. After I added the oil the raspy noise went away and car is running fine. Feels like normal sounds like normal.
Should I be worried or did I dodge a bullet? I know that I should probably be checking my oil every time I fill up and I will from now on. Is it just a waiting game to see what happens now?
Hate that I even need to post this. I've owned many ap1s and know you have to check oil frequently because they burn oil. I change oil every 3,000 miles, "usually.
So now I was 1200 miles overdue for oil change because I went on a long trip.
My vtec started lagging three days ago and when this happens I know it's usually due to low oil. In the past I had a b16 vtec was engaging like shit, turns out I was really low on oil, once oil was added it was fine. Anyway, two days ago my car started having a weird funny noise, it sounded like a raspy sound or exhaust leak. I thought it was exhaust for sure. Anyway finally after being a bad owner I went and checked my oil today. None on dipstick. I add one quart, nothing really on dip stick. Add a second quart a little registers on dipstick, add a THIRD quart and it filled it just under the full line. After I added the oil the raspy noise went away and car is running fine. Feels like normal sounds like normal.
Should I be worried or did I dodge a bullet? I know that I should probably be checking my oil every time I fill up and I will from now on. Is it just a waiting game to see what happens now?
#2
OUCH!
What model year do you have? How many miles on the engine? You could do a compression and leak-down test to see if the engine has some compression ring or valve issues.
What model year do you have? How many miles on the engine? You could do a compression and leak-down test to see if the engine has some compression ring or valve issues.
#3
Comp and leakdown wont tell you the condition of your rod and main bearings, which will have suffered the most in this scenario. Without a doubt you added premature wear to the parts in your engine, its a guessing game to see what may fail first and when. Hope you will be lucky and be ok for a good wile. Check your oil level with every gas fill up religiously! This will give you a good indication of usage also. I have had engines in this car that have used oil and some really none at all, but I always check and keep topped off. Never let it get more then a half quart shy. Letting it go further runs the risk of starvation if you drive the car hard, and the lower the oil gets, the quicker it burns through it.
#4
I agree that a strip down of the engine to inspect the bearing surfaces is prolly what is needed. In lieu of that, he could run a compression/leak-down since that doesn't require taking the engine apart. Only find if lack of oil caused ring, cylinder, and/or valve damage.
Prolly the best thing to do is drain oil & have it analyzed. Remove oil pan and inspect the lower end for damage.
Yeah... no easy answers here. Sorry.
Prolly the best thing to do is drain oil & have it analyzed. Remove oil pan and inspect the lower end for damage.
Yeah... no easy answers here. Sorry.
#5
Yikes! Yeah my guess is this one will come back to bite you. I am interested to know the outcome though, so please update. Also a UOA would be interesting just to see the wear metals although with all of that new oil it may not be obvious.
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is my daily, and it's still running just fine so I would hate to tear it apart while its still functioning. Can you guys recommend somewhere I can get the oil tested? I'm doing an oil change today, so i'll be able to send off a sample somewhere. I was really shocked to find out that it got that low. I've only owned the car for 6 months so I never noticed it burned that much oil, but I also usually am very religious when it comes to oil change intervals.
My AP1 is a 2002 and has 62k miles (all stock), relatively low miles for the year. I've owned 5 ap1's and some have burned hella oil and others didn't. The car seems to be running fine, maybe I should trade it in while I still have the chance.
My AP1 is a 2002 and has 62k miles (all stock), relatively low miles for the year. I've owned 5 ap1's and some have burned hella oil and others didn't. The car seems to be running fine, maybe I should trade it in while I still have the chance.
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've also read I can remove the vtec solenoid to see if there's metal shavings inside, I'm going to try this right now. Everyone I read who had metal shavings in their solenoid screen, their motor was blown by then, it was too late. I guess I can use it as a gauge to see how much damage was actually done. I'll be sending the oil out today for the analysis, as I just changed the oil. Car runs great though no abnormal uses and feels just like before, but now with more paranoia.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I find minimal shavings, do I clean it out, drive it and just pray it lasts a long time? I understand I prohably took some life off the car, but I'm making a 1,000mile road trip in a few days and don't want to get stranded :-/
#9
Send it in to Blackstone, you can call and request bottles to send it in.
I think if it were me I would just drive the thing until you have any indication that you may have done catastrophic damage and deal with it then. Really all you can do.
I think if it were me I would just drive the thing until you have any indication that you may have done catastrophic damage and deal with it then. Really all you can do.
#10
Go to the Blackstone website and get them to send you some free bottles. Mine came in 3 days. Take a sample of your oil, ship it back to them and then cross your fingers. I don't think anybody does this service, I think you have to do it yourself - this way. You could also go to O'Reileys auto parts and get a WIX oil analysis sample bottle. You pay for it there and the shipping but it's all included so they send you the analysis whenever it's ready (usually 4-6 weeks I think)