Jamz3k

If the oil light comes on, is the damage to the engine already done?

Not my car btw, I have a slight interest in keeping my engine going.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

all depends if its the oil pressure switch gone titso then no but if its low oil pressure then thats for areason usually something internally if worn so yes f**ked

Jamz3k

Found out the car was as dry as a bone inside, oil added and its started fine but will any damage show straight away or will it rear its head at a later date?

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

i would expect abig end to go soon if im honest,which will start with agentle knock from the engine and get gradually worse,but he could be lucky,with the stress the engine is under given the power it doesnt fair well to run them short on oil

Jamz3k

I feel a very expensive bill coming alot for a chum of mine.

mart360

Depends..

My oil warning system kicks in when the oil level is at .5L below the minimum on the dipstick.


so still plenty left in the system

Isnt it scooby's that have issues with oil and changes


Mart

Jamz3k

its a Audi 1.8T.

ThePoorMansScooby

I wouldnt worry. I only ever put oil in my company cars when the light comes on, never had a problem.

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

very iresponsibleif it was my company you worked for youd get your coat

dpb

pardon me , but isnt the light designed for just this purpose

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

only on modern cars they monitor the level were as older vehicles just come on below 5/7 psi which is bad news just for your information.

GC8

4PSI is common. Some cars are expected to illuminate their oil light when ticking over hot, so its not always terminal. He is more than likely going to get away with it, but he needs to learn and fast...

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

your dead right he needs to learn fast fella,but on amodern car like his i doubt hes done much harm,i thought earlier it was ascoob he ment then he said it was 1.8t vag motor so that monitors level aswel as pressure.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Its not nicknamed as the idiot light for nothing If he switched it off as soon as it lit up and remained lit the he may get away with it. Although modern VAGS with the multifunction instrument panel do have a low level warning as well as low pressure light, so maybe it was that?

Having said that, the 1.8T 20v has a reputation for oil pressure problems, mainly due to sludge. So if the pressure light (red oil can) ever comes on with the correct oil level or the top end sounds clattery, turn it off and get it fixed before it dies. I've been through it myself (bought a basket case car - after the feckwit who owned it didn't bother checking/changing the oil for 30,000miles, in that case it seized the cylinder head, luckily the bottom-end and turbo survived).

Leslie

If it had not shown signs of seizing then the pistons,rings and cylinder walls may still be ok. Depends whether he continued to drive after the oil light came on. There could well be damage to the bearings which might show later.

Now you have filled it with oil and if it started without any clattering etc. he might be lucky, but I would not be doing any long drives for a while! It would be wise to do a full oil and filter change in case there are any "bits" floating about in the oil. Also worth checking for an oil leak anywhere to explain the lack of oil in the engine..

I presume he does not know much about car maintainance, such as checking the oil level!

Les