Questions regarding the engine lubrication system
2
votes
1answer
25 views
How does low oil level cause misfires or VTEC malfunctions?
So a few days ago my 2003 Honda Civic EX started misfiring while accelerating, especially with the A/C turned on, making popping noises, and then yesterday got a P1259 "VTEC system malfunction code". ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
1998 Chevy Lumina won’t start, crank, or click
I have a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina and recently I have had intermittent starting issues. My brother and I bought a new starter and put it in and it still wouldn’t start. After replacing the starter we’ve ...
2
votes
1answer
28 views
How do I find a vacuum leak? I'd highly prefer not to use a carb cleaner spray
The car is a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue with 3.8L V6 engine (3800 Series). I've been doing my research and due diligence, but please understand I'm very inexperienced with automobiles.
I went to ...
0
votes
2answers
39 views
Cream on oil cap? How to maintain a car that drives only short distances in Nordic environment?
My friend needs a car for night-time driving for distances about 15 km to-and-fro for his work. I read that short distances may be problematic to cars because the engine does not get hot enough -- ...
1
vote
0answers
19 views
Audi A6 2.4L 99 - randomly sets off brake warning lights, no abs, no rpm, no A/C
Randomly while driving or standing still I get a bunch of warning lights that come on, beep and blink. Sometimes it lasts a few minutes, sometimes it will stay on for a few days of driving and turning ...
4
votes
2answers
86 views
Grinding sound during cold start?
I have a 2009 Honda Accord. Over the past several months, I've noticed a grinding sound immediately after cold-starting the engine. It only lasts for a fraction of a second, doesn't continue once ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
Oil in coolant after gasket work 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
I had a coolant leak that turned out to be a bad gasket. Coolant was leaking into the motor. I had the gasket replaced, and was told to change the oil after a few hundred miles. When I did, it turned ...
1
vote
2answers
58 views
Having Trouble with my 2003 Ford Escape oil light and coolant light
I have a 2003 Ford Escape V6. I'd have to say a couple of months ago my oil light popped on (most of the time only when I hit the brakes), then it would kind of blink a lot until I was on the gas ...
2
votes
2answers
41 views
15k mile oil filter
I have been using M1 in my jeep since I bought it with 22k miles on it. I now have 31k and i am thinking about getting M1 Extended Performance which is supposed to last 15k miles between oil changes.
...
2
votes
1answer
40 views
Oil gauge needle is at highest point
I have an 89 Mercedes 300 SE and recently the oil pressure needle has been stuck at the highest point when I accelerate. The values on the gauge are 0 to 3. When I take my foot off the gas the value ...
12
votes
4answers
8k views
What are the risks of overfilling a small engine with oil?
I recently overfilled a 4 stroke lawnmower engine with oil. It has been run for about 1.5 hours while overfilled. It smokes a lot right after being started but after 30 seconds or so the smoke clears. ...
-4
votes
1answer
2k views
What happens if petrol is used in a diesel engine?
The question is asked for various proportions :
- 10% of petrol
- 50% of petrol
- 100% of petrol
in a diesel engine.
PS : not a duplicate of What happens if unsuitable oil is used in a vehicle ...
2
votes
2answers
204 views
Why is my engine quieter with synthetic oil?
I just replaced the oil in my 2004 Jeep Wrangler today - I thought I'd give synthetic oil a try because there was a "Mobile 1 oil and Bosch filter" deal at my local auto shop.
Until now I have ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
'92 Toyota Corolla with a oil leak
My 1992 Corolla is leaking oil when driving then pools while parked. Already checked the oil pan and no leak. Where else could it be coming from?
1
vote
0answers
212 views
High oil pressure in a marine engine
High oil pressure in my marine Perkins 4108 diesel showing 80 on the gauge, oil and filters recently changed, wiring checked and ok it runs an alternator to charge the batteries and when disconnected ...
0
votes
0answers
143 views
Nissan Micra oil leak
My Nissan Micra is a 51 usually a good runner however today after work on my way down the main road which is 60 my car would not gain speed. It would only reach 40 at a push. When I’ve arrived to my ...
0
votes
3answers
135 views
Do motor oil conditioners do anything, or are they just a marketing ploy?
It it worth using a motor oil conditioner? Do they actually help keep an engine running better, or are they just marketing ploys?
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Difference between “Hypoid” and “Limslip” oils
Recently I changed the oil in my vehicle's rear differential. The manual recommended the use of a "Hypoid" oil, but the guy at the auto parts store suggested a "Limslip" oil instead. I went along ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Oil burning smell and slow oil leak
I am wondering what types of issues I am most likely looking at with this; My 2003 Ford Escape (V6) has an increasingly pronounced burnt oil smell that has developed slowly over a year or so, coupled ...
7
votes
4answers
831 views
Is it normal for the oil to be dark in color right after an “oil change” in a 10-year old diesel car?
I took my 2002 Jetta TDI wagon to a neighborhood shop about 10 miles, 24 hours ago. They supposedly changed the oil, but the color is very dark, almost black. Definitely not light-colored/transparent. ...
4
votes
2answers
16k views
Will Putting An Extra Quart of Oil In My Car Ruin It?
I put too much motor oil in my car's motor. About a quart - have I ruined my car? I've been driving it. I know I need to get the oil drained. But I'm worried that I've ruined my car which has been ...
3
votes
1answer
213 views
Add 2 stroke oil to a 4 stroke petrol engine during burn-in period
I'm planning to get a new petrol (gasoline) car soon.
A friend of mine, who worked as a motorbike mechanic when he was young, told me he puts a small quantity (125 ml / 4 oz) of 2 stroke oil in the ...
6
votes
3answers
121 views
Will I be okay running thinner oil with a minor oil leak on an older car?
Recently when I had some work done I was shown a minor leak, I believe he told me it was the oil pan. It doesn't drip out onto the ground, but if you look closely you can see condensed oil drops on ...
2
votes
1answer
503 views
accidentally placed oil in the coolant reservoir in a BMW 325i. How do I fix it and what is the cost?
I accidentally added oil to my coolant reservoir. I have a BMW 325i. The oil light came on and I figured my oil may be low. When the oil was added the oil light warning went off. However, the ...
1
vote
1answer
196 views
How to clean/dispose of oily/greasy shop rags?
I have some rags (as I'm sure we all do) that are covered in oil and other various fluids. Is it alright to wash these in a standard washing machine and then air dry them? Is there a specific ...
3
votes
2answers
952 views
BMW E30 M20 oil warning light goes on on hot days but the motor sounds and performs fine
The car: BMW '90 E30 320i Cabrio with the six-cylinder M20 engine.
The problem: the red engine oil warning light inside the instrument cluster (not the check control) lights up after some driving. ...
2
votes
2answers
153 views
Synthetic Oil and oil change frequency
My car (a 2008 Scion tC) says to have its oil changed every 5K miles or 5 months. I just took a new job and commute into the city by bus so I'm driving a whole lot less. I was told that if I got full ...
2
votes
1answer
122 views
Cleaning a Jerrycan
I have a couple of 10 Litre steel jerrycans which I used for draining kerosene (UN1223 28sec burning oil) from a tank. After disposing of the kerosene I left the open jerrycans upside down over some ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I select the right oil for my car?
I can give you my cars make and model and the conditions that I drive in, but I'm looking for a general guide to selecting the right oil for a car. I'm not really knowledgable when it comes to cars so ...
0
votes
2answers
372 views
Nissan Pulsar ST1.8 oil filter change
First time replacing oil filter and oil.
I've drained the old oil from the oil tank and I now want to remove the existing filter.
For the life of me, it seems as though the filter is in the most ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Cannot Pull Oil Dipstick
Here's a simple, yet frustrating, problem. I cannot check my oil, because the dipstick is stuck fast to the tube.
I don't really want to pull and twist so hard that it breaks off.
1
vote
3answers
464 views
Where can I look to find what kind of oil I should use for my car
Right now I want to change the oil in my 2002 Kia Sedona but I have several cars and I'm never quite sure what kind of oil to use in them.
What I'm really looking for is a link to a site that I can ...
2
votes
4answers
322 views
How can I increase the life of my diesel engine when my car does lots of small trips?
What things can I do to increase the life of my diesel engine when I make lots of shot trips in the car?
My daily routine means that the trip to work goes via another destination which gives my ...
4
votes
2answers
366 views
Which oil grade and kind should I use on a sport car that does amateur drag?
The car is a Dodge Neon SRT-4 with about 81,000 miles that is used for amateur occasional drag.
What grade and type of oil would be the best to improve my performance while still preserving the ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
What is an oil catch can for?
Some RX-8 owners have been recommending installing an oil catch can, to prevent problems from "overfilling" the oil.
I assume this doesn't mean spillover (does it?), but instead, too much oil in the ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it OK to mix oil of different viscosity?
I have a Mazda RX-8 (with a Wankel rotary engine). Mazda advises North American owners to use 5W-20 oil. The engine was just replaced 200 miles ago by the dealer so it currently has 5W-20 in it.
...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Accidentally poured engine oil into the coolant reservoir
My 1990 Mazda 626 leaks oil like a sieve, so I regularly top up the oil.
In a moment of stupidity, I opened my radiator cap instead of my oil cap while topping up my engine oil, and poured about ...
12
votes
2answers
4k views
How far can I drive with 1 gallon too much oil?
I have way too much oil in my Acura TSX. Do I need to take care of it without turning it on or can I drive it to a service station?
If I need to do it in place, I don't have the ramps or a pan or ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Blue-ish smoke coming out from the exhaust
I have a VW Golf mk4, 1.9 TDI from 2001 with 230.000+ km on board and for some time now I have blue smoke coming out of the exhaust.
The problem aggravates when I'm stuck in traffic or when the ...
1
vote
1answer
219 views
Check Oil Light Stays on for 20+ Seconds When 2004 Trailblazer Starts
Lately, my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer has been displaying the "Chk Oil" light when the vehicle first starts up for more than 20 seconds - much longer than the normal dash light test. Then is turns off and ...
4
votes
2answers
392 views
Are there different kinds of 10W-40 oil?
I was given a used riding mower as a gift, and the other day I started to do some of the yearly maintenance as recommended by the owner's manual.
When I got to the part about changing the oil, I saw ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
2004 Buick Ranier Oil Filter Location
Changing my oil right now, but can't seem to find the oil filter on my 2004 Buick Ranier V6. Any ideas? I don't have it up on stands
15
votes
2answers
1k views
Do I have an oil leak if I have to add oil?
I don't change the oil all that often (maybe every 8000 miles) and on my 10 year old car the oil light comes on and I need to add a quart or two (and then I start thinking I practically changed the ...
3
votes
3answers
377 views
how to clean up spilled oil?
I changed the oil in my pickup a couple months ago, and had about a quart of clean oil left in the container when I was done. I don't have a garage or other handy place to keep stuff like this, so I ...
3
votes
2answers
7k views
Oil in coolant - how much trouble am I in?
I have oil in my coolant reservoir. Could it just be the head gasket or is it almost certainly the entire engine or might it be something else entirely?
Thanks in advance...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it worth switching to full synthetic or blend oil in my older car/truck?
I have a older (enter vehicle here) that has 100k miles on it. Would I see any benefit switching to full synthetic or synthentic blend oil? Is it worth the extra cost in an older vehicle?
For ...
4
votes
2answers
770 views
oil leaks when driving, not while parked
My wife has a 2004 Mazda 6, 2.3 liter 4 cylinder. When the car is parked, oil doesn't pool underneath. After driving for about an hour, we need to add about 1-3 quarts. With this issue, where could ...
2
votes
3answers
873 views
Audi A4 (1998) extremely noisy when idle, occasional oil light
I have an Audi A4 1998 with over 200k miles. It gets extremely noisy when idle. It usually doesn't happen until it has been running for a while. Revving above 2000rpm can settle it and it isn't noisy ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Which provides better engine flushing, traditional flushing oil or adding a flush additive to old oil?
Background
I think that my vehicle would probably benefit from having it's lubrication system being flushed out at it's next oil change. Checking prices of flushing oil at local suppliers I noticed ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
High / fluctuating oil pressure causes?
My girlfriend has a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville SSE (3.8L GM 3800-II, non-supercharged). It ran low on coolant a few weeks ago, and started to overheat. I refilled with coolant, but the next time I was in ...
