What's it do to run low?

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Scout1

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My son now drives my 1995 T-bird, 4.6L V8. It's always used some oil due to the valve guides I think. I was the original owner and it's now pushing 190k.

I'm always after him to keep on top of the oil telling him it uses some, but you know how that goes! Today I checked and found him 3 qts. low. Since it takes 5 qts for a change, that means he was driving around on 2 qts plus whatever is normally trapped in the engine during a regular change.

He didn't report any strange noises or anything so what do you think running low like that does to a motor?
 
High temps which = more stress on the oil, which pretty much turns into more wear, my car was low 2qts when I bought it, the PO told me it didn't burn enough to top off between OCI's, by my math and how much I know it burns now, he went 7k on PYB and fram TG (pics when I go home this weekend and cut it open). A few isolated incidents wont kill it, but it doesn't help.
 
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Nothing until the oil pump starts to suck air, but you should get a low oil pressure warning about one or two minutes before the engine cooks up, depending on the power setting.
If it does not make unfunny sounds and starts well no harm has been done. When an engine blows up from lack of oil the coolant cooks off in a big way just before the engine smokes to a permanent halt. The temp needle goes into orbit in one sudden jump.
Not funny in a diesel, but can be dangerous in a petrol car. Worst case with a petrol turbo it won't explode BUT will catch fire under the bonnet as the turbo disintigrates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2SsuEO69F8&feature=related
 
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I've run a 4.6 Ford approx 2.5qt low without issue... That was about three years ago at around 150K mi, it's approaching 200K mi now and still running without issue... I'd consider three low the absolute minimum amount of oil before problems arise...

BTW the new owner has repl the valve stem seals, cut consumption approx 2.5x, stem seals are a know issue on pre '96 4.6L...
 
they are tough but its not a good thing to do i would break him of that habit quick!
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Originally Posted By: Scout1
My son now drives my 1995 T-bird, 4.6L V8. It's always used some oil due to the valve guides I think. I was the original owner and it's now pushing 190k.

I'm always after him to keep on top of the oil telling him it uses some, but you know how that goes! Today I checked and found him 3 qts. low. Since it takes 5 qts for a change, that means he was driving around on 2 qts plus whatever is normally trapped in the engine during a regular change.

He didn't report any strange noises or anything so what do you think running low like that does to a motor?


Time for some education into periodic maintenance, perhaps having him check the oil once a week, or when he fills up, and having a few quarts of oil in the trunk.

OR...

If that doesn't work, give him some figures for how much it will cost to replace the engine, and tell him you won't be paying for it....then follow up if and when it happens. He might start paying attention.
 
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.
 
The people with really nice cars who worked hard for years to reward themselves are all over the maintenance, and the people with complete hoopties who have to pop their hood to start the car all check their oil. It's that forgotten majority every time!
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Those 4.6 V8`s are basically indestructable. Thunderbird`s engine will be fine.


I've seen almost every engine you can name blown up, I have even seen a London bus catch fire.
If you want to play fast and loose with oil and coolant levels then get a real good auto electronics geek to convert the oil pressure and overheat warning system to a marine style auto shut down one with a bell.
Good marine engines have similar warning lights to a car, BUT when running and a serious problem like a low oil pressure light comes on, a bell sounds and about 30 seconds later the fuel shut off operates unless you press the emergency cancel button to keep the engine running. Same with an overheat and even a loss of salt water heat exchanger intake flow with bigger engines or most generators.
 
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.


Agreed.
 
Scout -
Go buy your son 1/2 case or more of oil, and tell him to keep it in the trunk.
Tell him real damage can occur from low oil. Have him check it every other Sunday.
Give the kid a push start in the right direction. If he won't listen or get with the program, you did your best.
 
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.


Agreed.


How so??? If it were running significantly hotter(which it not), or was operated for an extended period of Kmi while low, then possibly... Because it's using the oil fairly rapidly, the pan will be emptied long before oxidation is even remotely a issue...
 
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.


Agreed.


How so??? If it were running significantly hotter(which it not), or was operated for an extended period of Kmi while low, then possibly... Because it's using the oil fairly rapidly, the pan will be emptied long before oxidation is even remotely a issue...


I imagine that the same oil is being recirculated rapidly whereas with another two quarts, it would collect and cool before being recirculated. So the temp of the oil is constantly higher and it is aging faster.
 
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.


Agreed.


How so??? If it were running significantly hotter(which it not), or was operated for an extended period of Kmi while low, then possibly... Because it's using the oil fairly rapidly, the pan will be emptied long before oxidation is even remotely a issue...


MolaKule isn't just another one of us punters.
If he writes this, I'm inclined to take it as golden.
 
Thanks Guys, yes, I've had many talks with my son. He's just kinda lazy I guess. The sort of kid who doesn't worry about much then regrets it when bad things happen! And yes, I've had him keep oil in his trunk but he just doesn't check the level! I'll see him tonight and ask if the motor runs any better with oil in it :-) The higher oil temp and oxidation make sense. I'll get on him to change it but diluting the oxidized oil with three qts of new oil pretty much takes care of that short term doesn't it?

I'll look into changing the seals. Is it a big job? I assume you have to pull the heads?
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Anytime the oil level runs low the remaining oil will oxidize very quickly and turn into sludge.

Change oil right now and refill.


Agreed.


How so??? If it were running significantly hotter(which it not), or was operated for an extended period of Kmi while low, then possibly... Because it's using the oil fairly rapidly, the pan will be emptied long before oxidation is even remotely a issue...


MolaKule isn't just another one of us punters.
If he writes this, I'm inclined to take it as golden.


No doubt but I've been at this 46 plus years and live more on real world experiences than theories...
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
For some reason a $400 1 cyl generator has a low oil shutoff, but a $30,000 car does not; but hey, you can sync your ITunes....




Man this is weird, I was just thinking about that this morning!
 
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