Last week my sister was complaining about her car (09 saturn outlook) running very poorly and I told her to bring it by so I can see. Brought it over this morning and pulled the following codes.
p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p000A and p0021.
I cranked the car for several seconds in clear flood mode and the compression sounded okay.
I ran the car in the parking lot for a minute and at idle it sounded fine however when revved up it made an awful chattering/rattling noise.
When I checked the oil it was really low, barely showing on the dipstick. I ended up putting two quarts in before it was in the operational zone.
I started the car back up and it sounded just fine now that the oil was added. I drove it around and it seemed much better with no problems. I cleared the codes and chalked it up to being insufficient oil pressure with the VVT system.
I really didn’t do any diagnosing beyond that but I have a basic understanding that variable valve timing engines like this one utilise oil pressure to control the cam timings and assummed it could be causing these problems given the two cam codes.
Does this sound reasonable and is it possible some major engine damage was done even though it ran and sounds fine afterwards?
Based on the noise that you heard and the length of time that it was driven with low oil, certainly some damage was done. Maybe she’ll get lucky and the engine won’t die too soon or maybe she won’t.
Yes, just like the timing chain and VVT stuff all like oil pressure, so does the cam, crank and rod bearings, cylinder walls and piston rings and wrist pins, all the valve train etc etc…
So Yes there is a chance of internal damage, how much? time will tell… Unless you deep dive into the engine checking for damage…
I’d tell sister to start saving up for a new vehicle, or at least a new engine.
And also take a few minutes to both explain and show her how to check the oil. For the life of me, I can’t understand why checking the oil is so hard for so many people.
+1
However, I can understand this type of situation if someone has a serious physical issue/handicap. But, if someone isn’t physically capable of doing it themself, there should be a friend/neighbor/relative who could do it.
All-in-all, I think that most failures to check oil periodically come down to pure laziness, or perhaps naively believing that this simple task doesn’t need to be done.
I told her to check it on more than one occassion. Also showed her how to do it about a month ago at her house. Not to sound sexist but I really think it might be a woman thing.
One of my co-workers in the 1980’s drove a Corolla. She never changed the oil & filter even once in 10 years. She did top it off whenever the oil pressure light turned on. Her explanation for this was that her car seemed to run ok using her method, and she saved a lot of time and money by not having to keep taking it to the shop for an oil change. She sold it on before any serious consequences happened presumably.
I think she got the car fairly new, from a relative. And it lasted with near complete neglect for 10 more years. Just a drive-to-work and maybe to the bar for a quick beer after work type of driver not an aggressive driver.
My 23yo daughter knows more about cars then most young guys do now a days, my wife also knows quite a bit about cars also… I don’t think any of her past boyfriends or present boyfriend ever new as much as she does about vehicles…
A year or so ago, my daughter asked me if I would help her do a co-workers brakes for her…
She has helped me with transmission work, did her own motor mounts, fan assembly, multiple brake jobs, spark plugs, tons of oil changes, struts etc etc etc… And yes, she is all girl, just a daddy’s girl… either her brother or I stupidvise her though…
[quote=“Stinky1, post:18, topic:195272”]
I just wish I picked up the interest while my dad was still alive. I’m out here wingin it almost.
[/quote].
Your dad was probably doing quite a bit of winging it too . If he was like my dad anyway. Nothing worng with winging it to get the repair completed , as long as taking as long as it takes to get done safely. You don’t want to be winging it when you are in a hurry. One of my coworker engineer friends owned a Toyota pickup and what’s more, she changed her own oil, plus she was an expert golfer. “Hey, this appears to be ideal romantic relationship! She might change the oil in my car while she’s doing her truck, and even better, I might lower my golf score!” This is what I was thinking. She didn’t take to my idea though … lol …
Not sure who that is but I’m sure that good boy sticker will be extra shiny.
