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Hypothetical question


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Deb_M
New User

Mar 27, 2008, 2:31 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1627 views)
Hypothetical question Sign In

My car broke down while driving it. The oil light had been going on and off for some time (even though I had an oil change three weeks prior). If you were the mechanic working on this oil and discovered that cruddy had prevented good oil from reaching the camshaft and cylinder heads (journals were also damaged) as a result the two pieces fused together also causing damage to the timing belt.

What would you have done to repair the problem and why?

If there was cruddy oil in that part of the engine, would it not be reasonable to assume other parts also had cruddy oil?

How difficult would it be to check?

Thanks for your help.


dave284
Enthusiast / Moderator
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Mar 27, 2008, 3:17 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1619 views)
Re: Hypothetical question Sign In

Assuming the lower part of the engine wasn't damaged....replace head & T-belt. But dirty oil is like mico fine sand paper that eats away bearings and seals....but in any case clean crud out, add fresh oil & filter...if light comes on again...oil pressure check is needed then to determind next step....a new oil pump or engineUnimpressed


Double J
Veteran / Moderator
Double J profile image

Mar 27, 2008, 3:29 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1618 views)
Re: Hypothetical question Sign In

Not quite sure what your looking for here but from what I can interpet..here's what I think

First of all, driving the car for any length of time with the "oil warning light coming on" and not addressing it IS the issue.
An engine can suffer damage from lack of oil almost immediately..
If there is a known problem or at least a suspected problem (oil light on) and nothing is done and engine failure occurs,whose fault is it?
Changing the oil after damage may have occured is like closing the barn door after the horse ran away..
with that said...yes if "cruddy" caused the damage by not allowing oil to the camshaft/journals/ bearings, I would suspect that the "cruddy" would be elsewhere as well and cause other problems...
BUT,I assume nothing...The only real way to see this would be to disassemble the engine to inspect..I.E. remove rocker covers,oil pan,intake manifold where applicable,etc...possibly having to disassemble the entire engine....to verify whats going on.
I have had where "cruddy" only caused upper end damage...I.E. lifters,camshafts,rockers,etc...
Every situation can be unique in itself....every time you think you've seen it all,something for sure will arise and change that .

Now thats my opinion...lets see what the others may think..

PLus ,IF you don't mind......
How about giving us the complete run down on what exactly happened here..including the Year,Make,Model,Engine size

Thanks


(This post was edited by JIM N on Mar 27, 2008, 3:31 PM)






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