Low Oil

[Red 4]

Bit of a long story, I won't bore you with the details but..........

If the oil light comes on in a modern car whilst driving how likely is it engine damage will have been caused ?

Car in question; Audi A3 2.0 TDi 10 Plate.

Checked oil and was showing marginally under minimum. Took 1 litre of oil to get up to max level. Engine oil capacity is 3.8 litres.

Engine only ran with oil warning light for 2 mins maximum.

Engine sounds fine at the moment.

Thanks.

Edited by Red 4 on Monday 12th December 20:35

[busta]

The theory is no damage should be caused if the light isn't on, but you must stop as soon as the light comes on. It works on oil pressure, and as long as there is enough oil pressure then the engine should be getting sufficient lubrication. You may have an oil temperature gauge or light as well, which works in the same manner. Obviously as the oil level drops, what oil is left has more heat to disperse so it will tend to get hotter.

But in both instances, no news is good news, so as long as you stopped as soon as the light came on all should be well!

Edited by busta on Monday 12th December 20:37

[*Al*]

I'm guessing it'll be a 2 stage warning light arrangement, if it was a yellow oil can light then it just means level is low. If it was a red warning lamp then damage is possible.

[jagracer]

Is it a low oil light or no oil pressure light? If the former dont worry as you've topped it up, if it,s low oil pressure then it should be ok if it isn't knocking and you didn't abuse it while the light was on. I'd be more worried why a 10 plate car is using oil.

[Nick3point2]

Modern VAG cars have an oil level and condition sensor, as well as oil pressure warning, so chances are it just warned you that you needed a top up and is now well with the world.

[busta]

If it only took 1 litre to top it up, it sounds more likely to be oil level as *Al* has said, in which case it's very unlikely to have done any damage whatsoever.

[Red 4]

Thanks guys for the info.

The car isn't using oil. It appears to be a dealer fk up.

[Scootersp]

Basically the sensor did it's job, you then did your job (although i'd start checking it periodically from now) and it's back to normal. What i'm saying is there is no point in the manufacturer having a 'warning' light if at the stage it illuminates damage is already being done!

I would say to others reading this, especially in old(er) cars is that it's worth a brief pull over and check for a major/catastrophic leak (crank seal or similar) as this could be the cause of light coming on and continuing for 10 mins with this sort of leak could be terminal.

[thinfourth2]

Well seeing that

1 its a modern engine
2 its not spread over a mile of road

We can assume it was an oil level sensor not oil pressure

[warch]

I've never heard of an engine failing due to low oil, even a tractor we used at work that ran out of oil and then seized was fine on restarting and for years thereafter.

Engines are usually ridiculously strong and can withstand lots of abuse without lasting damage.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Mine has done that numerous times in its 360k miles. Still running fine. Simple rule is put more oil in as soon as possible mileage wise.