Thread: Stalled and smoking

If there isnt any signs of leakage, one has to ask if they refilled it after they finished draining the old.

Originally Posted by Disefyl

If there isnt any signs of leakage, one has to ask if they refilled it after they finished draining the old.

Gotta be it... I'd take it back to your mechanic... have them look for a leak too. Be nice about it, and maybe they'll give you a nice coupon for next time or something.

driving without oil is a great way to destroy the engine. you may be looking at a total rebuild or replacement depending on how much damage was done. did the car start again after filling up the oil?

Originally Posted by Disefyl

If there isnt any signs of leakage, one has to ask if they refilled it after they finished draining the old.

This is why I always do my own oil changes

Originally Posted by csfile

This is why I always do my own oil changes

I always take mine in to get it done "professionally"... this way if someone screws up it's not me.

Originally Posted by Tidder

I always take mine in to get it done "professionally"... this way if someone screws up it's not me.

That and they have free popcorn and cookies.

Originally Posted by Tidder

I always take mine in to get it done "professionally"... this way if someone screws up it's not me.

I always do it myself, that way I know it's done right, I know I get the right brand and weight of oil, I know I get the right oil filter, I save money, but most of all, I know it's done right.

Plus, the "professionals" aren't always that. Often it's the "new guy" who's still in school, isn't a real mechanic, and isn't paid very well doing the oil changes. Depending on where you go, of course. Get a "professional" to change your oil at your own risk.

Yeah but if they screw up, you can say "hey you screwed up". Liability of screwing up my car is worth more to me than the $19.99 they charge. That and I get a kick out of the techs bewilderment of the CarPC.

"Dude that thing sounded like my laptop when it turned off"...

Originally Posted by gypsyjade

Hi all,

I am new at this forum, so I hope that I am in the right section....I took my car for an oil change yesterday, today after about 80 km of driving the car stalls on the highway without warning whatsoever, under the hood the smoke is bellowing out. Had a look at the oil dip stick turns out there is not a drop of oil!!. The plug is in place and there is no clear evidence of leakage under the engine where the car had been parked overnight. I would appreciate any suggestions as to what might have happened? How can I tell if I might need a new engine altogether?

Grateful for any comments....

Thanks in advance

They forgot to put oil in it. Who knows whether there is damage to the engine or not? It could be that the engine will run fine after being filled with oil, or it won't, or awhile later parts will wear out much sooner than expected due to excess wear.

Make sure you get it documented in a way that you can come back to them later if there are oil related problems.

One thing you can do is to get them to settle with you upfront. Ask them for a number you think is big enough to repair the engine if it goes south and tell them you will sign a waiver to any future claims. If they refuse, tell them you hope you won't see them in court because it will cost a lot more than a new engine to meet with them there.