J15CK D

sadly i made the mistake of not checking my oil level, ran her dry last night, soon as i heard as tapping noise i pulled over and turned the engine off, wasnt ran for more than 50yards when i heard the noise, could i just get away with putting oil back in? anything i should check for? what damage has possibly been done?

Many Thanks Jack

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Where did you deduce you'd ran dry? Did you check on a dead flat surface? Did the oil light come on?

J15CK D

checked on a flat surface nothing registered on the dipstick, the worrying thing is that no oil light came on to warn me

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

oil change and pray

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

Fill oil , take crank sensor off prime car to get it circulated then hope for best mate

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

By the time the oil light comes on its to late.

If the shells were rattleing know amount of oil changing is gonna fix it. going to need a rebuild.

pflowers

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I have no sympathy for anyone who doesn't check their oil.

Unless your car has a major leak or is already knackered it would have taken several thousand miles to run dry. That's many many tanks of fuel without lifting the bonnet.

Your oil light is there to indicate you have zero oil pressure, not as a low warning. I don't know but I would imagine the oil light would stay off even with less than a litre of oil left.

L.J.F

iTrader: (31)

Just because the dipstick isn't showing a reading it doesn't mean it's bone dry as the dipstick only messures the first 1-2 litres.


Is it the 2.5 engine by any chance?

J15CK D

really gutted how foolish i have been, certain to say i know to check in future! yes its the 2.5

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

How long you had the hawk you know they drink oil don't you ? Just chuck oil in might be lucky u never know

pflowers

^^^whs.

My forester is a 2.5 and the difference between max and min is only half a litre. Unless the car is absolutely level it can show as empty, very sensitive due to the angle the dipstick enters the sump I believe.

mark@wrx

If its a hawk STI and the oil has suddenly vanished, there is every chance it's the piston ring lands that have failed. It might not necessarily be the op's fault that it ran dry of oil very quickly!

snake1906

iTrader: (4)

as sonic said although if it is nearly dry id change the filter and drain every last bit of the old oil before putting in fresh then dry crank and fingers crossed,good luck m8

pflowers

It's a fair point although the op admitted he hadn't checked it.

J15CK D

i need the car moved, before i tow it is there anything i need to do?

pflowers

Why not just take some oil with you and try and start it, if it's already damaged I cant see how you could make it any worse?

super_ted

iTrader: (30)

As mentioned, fill it up and see what happens.

t4and greys

surely i cant be the only one sitting here thinking is it dead then ???

if so gutted for ya ,but if ok then wooohooo ,just keep checking the oil regularly

super_ted

iTrader: (30)

Your not but what has he got to lose by trying some oil in it first?

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

If as he said, it developed a tapping noise, something was starved of oil. As it doesn't have hydraulic valve lifters, the next obvious things to develop excessive clearance are bearings. At the very least, he should drain what is left in the sump and examine it (and the filter) for evidence of metallic particles or metallic 'sheen' in the oil. If there is, things will only get worse by re-filling and running.

JohnD

GeeDee

iTrader: (2)

Harsh, yes, but maybe you don't have the full details.

Instructions to check oil comprise car must be level and cold. My drive is quite a steep slope and my parking at work is not level so I rarely park somewhere on the level long enough for it to be tested when cold so most of my checking is done after filling with petrol. ie when hot. Either way, getting a definitive result is nigh on impossible as mine has different readings depending on which side of the dipstick you look at.

I have knackered my big ends in the past probably as a result of taking a roundabout at high speed and I guess getting oil surge. When I checked my oil level at the time it was just below half way between max and min when previously it didn't budge between services.

pflowers

I fully understand and accept what you are saying, I have exactly the same problem checking the oil level on both of mine. I always check when hot, and seem to get a far more consistent reading, however I always make sure it's right up on the max as the dipstick always reads higher when hot.

FYI both my Subaru manuals make no reference that you should check the oil when cold, only that if checking when warm it could be as high as the notch above the maximum due to expansion of the oil.

However none of this is relevant as the OP freely admits he didn't check his oil...

t4and greys

well im siding with the fact it musnt have gone well for the chap ,and topping it up hasnt worked

if so genuinly feel sorry for the guy ,have only just removed her indoors engine from her scooby due to previous owner doing the very same ... so know full well what a ballache it is

lets be honest if topping it up worked im sure he would have posted to say so


cmon the suspense is killing me , us .... cant dangle said carrot like that and not update with the verdict

J15CK D

Been told by a mechanic its a new build! Live and learn! Il never not check again! Going to sorn her now, looks like a complete build is on the cards, 400 horses is going to be the aim!

tattoosi

iTrader: (5)

oh dear

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

^
Not the wisest comment to go chasing numbers when you don't understand basic requirements / good luck tho

t4and greys

good on ya pal
and thats definately the best way of thinking too mate ,get building it yourself mate much more satisfaction too

good luck with the build and aim too fella


lets be fair lads he made on oversight or error of judgement it happens , its not about why or how ,just how you deal with things that count

sonic93

iTrader: (16)

Does this mechanic no subaru s ? Also did u try oil ?

J15CK D

not chasing numbers, going to learn by my mistake and hopefully get the knowledge that i clearly need for the car! Will get some pictures up asap, The Tech's been in the game for years...havent tried putting anymore oil in her to be honest, think it will just be a waste?

pflowers

I just don't get this, if you haven't put any oil in the car then how has someone made a judgement as to what is wrong as presumably it hasn't been started?

There could be absolutely nothing wrong with the car, and nobody could possibly say otherwise until the oil is added and its fired up.

I think I would be willing to risk losing a gallon of oil rather than pay out for a rebuild that may not be needed.