Damage by running 30-60 seconds on low pressure?

[Merv]

My question involves a 2007 Chevy Silverado with 5.3L V8 gas engine. Mileage is 24,000 KM and vehicle has had regular oil changes using Quaker State 5W30 non-synthetic oil.

I recently had the oil changed at a quick-lube shop, one where you sit in your vehicle and watch them do the work. When I was asked to restart the engine to circulate fresh oil, I noticed the "oil pressure low stop engine" warning display and chime came on. As I was being distracted by other messages (like "hood open")and instructions from the tech to check signal lights etc, it took about 30-60 seconds before I shut down the engine. Just as I was doing so anyway, the technician also told me to. The engine had been running at idle (600 rpm) and for just the last few seconds I believe I heard some valve lifter clatter.

The quick-lube shop says that the oil filter had not seated properly and was leaking. They fixed the problem, drained the oil again and put in fresh oil. They also noted the incident on the work order and I have written correspondence with them in case of future problems.

I have subsequently put about 1000 miles on the truck and have not noticed any oil consumption or unusual noises (except perhaps the ones in my imagination).

What do you think the chances are that this incident has caused internal engine damage? I would really appreciate hearing opinions. Thanks.

 

[Drew99GT]

I doubt it caused that much damage. There's many videos on youtube of people blowing engines up with no oil or coolant and in some cases, it takes 10 minutes of bouncing of the rev limiter.

Just idling, I doubt much if any long term harm was caused. The tell tale sign will be increased oil consumption. Keep an eye on that.

 

[Gary Allan]

I agree with Drew. You were under no load at idle.

 

[ProStreetCamaro]

You should be fine. Happy? No but the engine likely suffered nearly zero damage.

 

[demarpaint]

You've probably created the wear that would occur under normal circumstances for a 1000 mile highway trip. In other words, nothing was done to the engine.

 

[tomcat27]

ditto: at idle with no load ---> no problem.

 

[mechtech2]

The parts I would be concerned about are bearings and crank and cam surfaces.
They survive 'dry' starts well, but a full minute is a long time, to me.
You are probably OK, but some wear had to occur.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I agree with Drew. You were under no load at idle.
I agree with Gary

 

[hounddog]

To heck with the low oil pressure for a few seconds.QUAKER STATE.OMG!!! Just kidding.LOL been invloved in several vehicles with NO OIL after a oil change that went 10 plus miles before any damage and it wasn't as bad as you'd think.That included a few stop lights and such.

 

[firemachine69]

I just drove a bus the other day in heavy stop-and-go that had a whopping 10psi at idle.


I think the OP is fine.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I would stay out of quick lube shops with your nice 07 Silverado.

 

[aquariuscsm]

A Chevy V8? No worries. You didn`t hurt that bad boy in the least.

 

[joel95ex]

when i blew out the balance shaft seal on my accord at least 6 or 7 years ago, i dumped in 5 qts at walmart, watched as it drained on to the ground and drove at least a mile to the honda dealer for the recall/update....i now have over 333K miles and good pressure---i know cuz I had pressure tested when replacing sending unit......you should be ok.

 

[tig1]

May have some wear on the rod and crank bearings that won't show for some time. Not trying to worry you but you did ask. Low oilpressure is never a good thing for bearings.

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, all that's left now is for someone to tell you that you had better trade it in ..and QUICK!!!!

 

[Fordiesel69]

The fact there is notation is a good thing. Most likly they left the old o-ring on your block and then screwed a new filter over top of it. We have all done it.

It was still getting some oil flow, just not all of it. Likely there is no damage. Had you driven off like that, then there would be reason for concern.

 

[ADFD1]

I wouldn't sweat it. Probably = to a few cold starts of wear.

AD

 

[BuickGN]

It's good that they noted it.

I've seen this sort of thing happen first hand with a newer engine. It ran fine for another 5K and then ate nearly every lobe on the cam. Yours is a roller so it's less likely but keep your ears and eyes open for the first signs of a failure.

The simple fact of the matter is you had 0 oil pressure and flow for a signifigant time. This is completely different from a cold dry start as many seem to try and compare it to. On a cold start you still have a layer of oil on everything, the crank is still floated from the residual oil left over. That oil goes away very quickly when pressure doesn't arrive.

 

[Drew99GT]

There was still residual oil though on the engine parts; probably more so given the engine was last shut off not more then probably 10 minutes prior to the no oil pressure event.

A cold engine that's been sitting for several days - the oil has had that long to drain and drip off parts.

Just a thought.

I'd wager a bet that some of the extreme cold starts I've witnessed with my car did way more damage then idling for 60 seconds with no oil pressure (on an engine that's going to have a lot of oil still on the parts, and one that is warm).

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
There was still residual oil though on the engine parts; probably more so given the engine was last shut off not more then probably 10 minutes prior to the no oil pressure event.

A cold engine that's been sitting for several days - the oil has had that long to drain and drip off parts.

Just a thought.

I'd wager a bet that some of the extreme cold starts I've witnessed with my car did way more damage then idling for 60 seconds with no oil pressure (on an engine that's going to have a lot of oil still on the parts, and one that is warm).


Do you realize you're comparing a minute with no oil pressure or flow to a single cold start? The coldest cold start is not going to starve the engine for oil for more than a second or three at most.

I've torn engines down that sat for a year without being started and they still had oil on the cylinders and in the bearings.

This thing was run for an entire minute! Any oil that was in the bearings and on the cylinders from shutdown was gone after a few seconds after the pressure failed to arrive!

Do you realize how the oiling system works? The method in which the cylinders are splashed?