rs10

I’ve mentioned this in another thread, but I don’t want to highjack it, and this seems to deserve a new one.

My oil pan was damaged by impact with the road below on a poor road. I think most/all the resulting oil leak happened after I parked and turned my engine was off, and the car went off to be repaired on top of a truck, so I hope the engine is OK. But this is what I’m trying to find out. So two questions:

First, does anyone know if there is any danger of engine damage from driving a couple miles (gently, but including some time idling at lights) with less oil than usual? Maybe two liters? Maybe just one? (After I parked and stopped the engine, the huge puddle that appeared on the garage floor was hopefully a full tank, but who knows, maybe it was just 2 liters and I’d already lost a few – it’s hard to measure puddle size in liters. (Though at most half a mile from my garage, when I last checked the oil pressure guage, it was a bit above 2 while idling. And no oil warnings flashed.))

Second, is there any way to check for damage?

Thanks!!!

targa996

If oil pressure was ok and you didn't get warning - you are probably ok - how long did it take oil to leak out ?

Hopefully mechanic will pull oil pan and filter - inspect for debris - replace new/used pan - full her up - and you will be good to go

kmagnuss

My bet is that you'll be fine as long as oil pressure was fine and you didn't drive very long. sounds like you still had plenty left in the pan.

devioustrap

You're fine. There's enough vacuum in the system that it won't leak all that much until the engine turns off. You would have gotten an oil pressure warning if you were in any huge danger.

joe-1972

The oil system is working under vacuum... You should be fine...

rs10

Thanks everyone for the helpful and encouraging replies!

alpine003

Is this the reason why you're looking for another car? Or do you want 2 in your fleet?

rs10

No, not the reason. I want one in my fleet long term, though an in between period when I have two doesn't sound too bad :-)

Dharn55

It is kind of silly to run one of these engines if you think it is low on oil or has an oil system problem. Avoiding a towing charge and possibly damaging an engine that can cost $15K-$20K+??

Sneaky Pete

+1

devioustrap

I can relate to the OP, I busted an oil pan about 6 months ago.

As mentioned above, the system is under vacuum so you're not really low on oil. You don't know you did anything until you park the car and your parking spot suddenly fills with 9 quarts of oil. Sure, you should tow it if you know it happens, but I had no idea anything was wrong until I parked (and I still have no idea what I could've hit.)

rs10

Guys I think you may be reading a bit much into my post. The engine did not turn once after I was aware there was any problem. The car was pushed into a parking bay and towed first thing in the morning.

As per my post, although I could see no trace of oil having leaked prior to when I turned the engine off, I had to fear that I might have lost some oil, and I was looking for advice about what to check, etc.

dgjks6

My car ran really low on oil for a while. Not sure how many, but at least 16.7 miles. It took 2 quarts to get it to show on the dipstick.

IMS was bad - not related to the oil. Anyway-engine eventually was torn apart and no damage to anything.

Moral of story - if you had oil pressure I would just fix it and move on.

rs10

Thanks! :-)