Engine damage from oil running low?

Beckyy

optimus_primera wrote: »

When you say 'won't start', do you mean it won't turn over ie turn key, nothing happens,or it turns over but will not fire up?

It turns over but won't fire up. When you turn the key it makes the normal sound, but doesn't start up/stops when I turn the key back (sorry for the woman explanations!). When I initially came back to the car, after leaving it to cool, I think it may have started up then cut out, but I can't be 100% sure. Does that help to pinpoint anything at all? :think:

reeac - I would say it was gentle driving. It was on a 60mph road but only for about half the journey, the rest was 30/40mph and down to 15mph as we entered Forresty Comission. There were a few whisps of smoke coming from under the bonnet just as I parked up, but literally only a couple.

optimus_primera

The correct way to check oil level is when the car is on level ground, and the engine is cold,so don't jump to that conclusion yet,plus the fact that you say the engine turns over,indicates the engine has not seized.

However i do not advocate driving with low oil levels ......

mikey72

It's more likely a fuel line gone, if it smells of diesel, white smoke is diesel hitting a hot part of the engine, now it won't fire as it's getting no fuel.
If there's oil on the dip stick, it'll have enough to keep it running. (But more would be nice)

gilbert_and_sullivan

I doubt the engine's seized, from your OP you speak of smelling Diesel just before you stopped.

I agree with Mikey, sounds more like a fuel problem of some sort, hopefully your garage will sort it pronto, though i'd be wary of finding the car intact left in a remote car park...could you and your chap tow it to the garage tomorrow.

I get the impression you neglect your car (wheel bearing must have been screaming for mercy before collapsing), Diesels cars will not tolerate it despite many thinking they are bombproof, about the only cars that could put up with it were old school Nissans and Toyota petrol vehicles made 10 to 40 years ago.

Beckyy

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I doubt the engine's seized, from your OP you speak of smelling Diesel just before you stopped.

I agree with Mikey, sounds more like a fuel problem of some sort, hopefully your garage will sort it pronto, though i'd be wary of finding the car intact left in a remote car park...could you and your chap tow it to the garage tomorrow.

I get the impression you neglect your car (wheel bearing must have been screaming for mercy before collapsing), Diesels cars will not tolerate it despite many thinking they are bombproof, about the only cars that could put up with it were old school Nissans and Toyota petrol vehicles made 10 to 40 years ago.

I was also not keen on leaving it there, but OH is working all tomorrow so no chance of being able to tow. With regards to the wheel bearing, I only had problems with it after having to go through a beast of a pothole, which was on the right hand land of a roundabout. Chances are it could have been on it's way out, but I just didn't pick up on the signs/sounds - I know it's no excuse, but I'm still very much learning with regards to these things. The oil running low is totally my fault, and I'm genuinely annoyed at myself for forgetting to check it. Thank you for your reply re: fuel problem, this sounds quite likely now.

esmerobbo

mikey72 wrote: »

It's more likely a fuel line gone, if it smells of diesel, white smoke is diesel hitting a hot part of the engine, now it won't fire as it's getting no fuel.
If there's oil on the dip stick, it'll have enough to keep it running. (But more would be nice)

That would get my vote!;)

Rolandtheroadie

Beckyy wrote: »

Chances are it could have been on it's way out, but I just didn't pick up on the signs/sounds - I know it's no excuse, but I'm still very much learning with regards to these things.

When I was around 18, I found out the sound a wheel makes a day or 2 before it falls off.
It's a learning curve, I've never had one fall off since lol.

skiddlydiddly

Are you 100% sure it has fuel in it?I bought a car with a faulty fuel guage years back and it ran out showing half a tank.

Beckyy

I filled up with £40/45 of diesel 3 days previous... I'd done maybe just over 100 miles since and my fuel guage was showing three quarters full, which would have been spot on. I've never had any problem with it showing wrong amounts in the tank, so am pretty much 100% sure it wasn't out of fuel.

mark5

The Fiesta Tdci is notorious for injector seals leaking and this gives off the smell of diesel inside the car along with loss of performance. The seals are really cheap to buy from Ford and the labour will be a couple of hours. My wife drives the same model car.

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