Near diaster, low oil level found

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: 69GTX
I've had the gasoline emptied out of my tank on trips away from home. I don't see why someone couldn't remove some oil...for whatever reason.


It really does make you wonder. Go from what was a non oil burner to being that low. Strange.

 

[i_hate_autofraud]

many 2004 and later cars use aggressive crankcase ventilation systems that suck out lots of oil
as a vapor into the intake manifold that then gets burned.

You're "using oil" without actually knowing it. So you need to check more often,
at least monthly or every other day on a long road trip!

Vintage cars and engines had PCV systems that were lazy by comparison. "using oil" in the
old cars was actual problems at the oil control rings resulting in blue smoke and oil fouled spark plugs!

 

[fdcg27]

Oil consumption can be episodic in that an engine that normally shows negligible consumption can sometimes burn a bit for no special reason.
I seriously doubt that anyone messed with this car unless your daughter seriously [censored] off someone with boarderline personality disorder.
A possibility to consider is a minor leak around the oil filter base gasket.
This can happen. I've seen it and any such leak will be at full oil pressure, so it doesn't take much of a leak to blow out a serious amount of oil.

 

[OneEyeJack]

All cars have an oil warning light. You just drive the car until it starts to blink on every now and then. That means you've burned off most of the oil and it's time for new oil if it's convenient. If you wait until it stays on then you should get new oil right away. Since most people cycle their cars every couple of years why should you waste time and money on maintenance beyond stopping at Iffy Lube. You're better off driving through the car wash every month for five bucks a shot. Besides, who wants to drive last years piece of junk when you can just go get a new one. The dealer could care less about a record of maintenance. He just wants to turn the new car and dump the old one. The lot boy will do the certified 100 point inspection while he wipes the car down and vacuums out all your crud. No one cares about doing this and doing that to the car when there's a new infotainment system to master well enough to keep you from sideswiping other cars and the guard rails while dealing with that annoying steering wheel and automatic cruise control contraption.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27

A possibility to consider is a minor leak around the oil filter base gasket.
This can happen. I've seen it and any such leak will be at full oil pressure, so it doesn't take much of a leak to blow out a serious amount of oil.


That recommendation goes on the list. Thanks!

 

[Kira]

We've had talk of OLMs and the functioning of old fashioned oil pressure idiot lights. The universal neglect of cars came up as well as theories of sabotage.

Doesn't your daughter deserve some indictment for failing to check her own oil from December to the end of April?

I don't mean "tear her fingernails out". It's just that her responsibility or neglect hasn't been mentioned.

My friend's daughter claimed "The oil can light was on for weeks then one day the car went BUHM". She said it so cutesy my friend could've killed her.

Again OP, I'm not advocating killing your daughter but doesn't it seem odd nobody has mentioned pulling a dipstick throughout a 4 month period? Kira

 

[DeepFriar]

No doubt about it. Inexcusable. If you read the thread you won't find any defense.

 

[bbhero]

I am glad it had a little oil in it. Though way off and far from ideal it may just hopefully be all right. I am hoping it will be.

In contrast to this circumstance. My lady's VW had a oil pump fail and it leaked all of the oil out of it by a half a mile. She called me and said the oil light was on and it was buzzing. Well 5 miles later it blew up finally. As I left put place and saw the blob of oil and then the trail out on to rte 199 I knew it was a terminal deal.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: bbhero
Well 5 miles later it blew up finally. As I left put place and saw the blob of oil and then the trail out on to rte 199 I knew it was a terminal deal.


Ouch. Some days you get the bear......

 

[bbhero]

Yeah that was not good by any measure. But... It did allow us to get her grandmother's 1998 Camry which had only 66k miles on it. Mint condition and perfectly maintained. It has been great except a recent $1000 dollar repair to the steering rack. But in 3 yrs that has been the only problem. Pretty doggone good in my opinion.

 

[edwardh1]

98 camry run forever

 

[ammolab]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Who did the oil change ?

Why didn't she see the low oil level warning light ?


There is no "low oil level light" in that Honda. Then car has a fully functional dipstick and a note in the manual, "check oil level every time you fuel up"....just as you did in 1957.

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted By: ammolab
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Who did the oil change ?

Why didn't she see the low oil level warning light ?


There is no "low oil level light" in that Honda. Then car has a fully functional dipstick and a note in the manual, "check oil level every time you fuel up"....just as you did in 1957.


Yeah...

But in 1932, you fill up and check the oil using the gauge...a meter on the engine that shows the actual oil level using a float in the oil sump...

We've comes so far, haven't we?