Help please....car oil problem!!!

dizzy-di_2

Hello hoping someone can advise me on a problem i have had today with my car.

Car is.... Nissan Almeria 1.5s, (2001), 51.500 miles. Today the malfunction indicator light came on - checked oil and found it to be low, so i put 1 ltr in.

With the engine running, as we took off the screw cap where the oil goes and started to put oil in, the oil spurted out and sprayed everywhere. We immediatly switched engine off and added the oil. The warning light went off and after a 20 mile drive stayed out.

I am concerned there could be damage to the car that needs attention, or is it just that it needed the oil topping up?
The car passed its MOT in January, without a problem, it is due a service, but i am worried about spending money out if there is another serious problem. The car has always been 100% reliable, and we have never had a problem with it in the 3 years of ownership.
Any advice would be appreciated.

s_b

timing chain works on oil pressure
dirty or low oil can cause chain stretch which puts timing out which flashes the light of doom which means costly repairs
if car running ok now bring forward your oil and filter change to this week and check your oil as regularly as you check your tyre pressures

vaio

check the oil with the car on flat ground and after the engine has been turned off for a while.

if needed, add oil with the engine turned off and you'll find it doesn't spurt or spray all over the place

Notmyrealname

dizzy-di wrote: »

With the engine running, as we took off the screw cap where the oil goes and started to put oil in, the oil spurted out and sprayed everywhere.

What do you mean by spray everywhere? Was it like gushing or a heavy drizzle, regardless of how high it went? If it is the latter, that is normal.

dizzy-di_2

Notmyrealname wrote: »

What do you mean by spray everywhere? Was it like gushing or a heavy drizzle, regardless of how high it went? If it is the latter, that is normal.

It wasnt gushing, it was just a fast fine spray, that sprayed out onto the underneath of the bonnet - we turned off the car straight away, and was then able to top up the oil. My husband thought it was ok that the engine was runnig, but he is a diesel car driver, dont know if this makes a difference.

Thank you for the replies so far, much appreciated.

Apples2

It's normal to spray with the engine running and the filler cap off. You aren't supposed to fill it like that.

Engine off, level ground, leave it for 10 mins, fill it slowly and check the dipstick, don't go above the MAX line.

Don't even fill it to the max line, leave a little lower. dipstick back in, filler cap back on and check/adjust level later on.
If you overfill you are in trouble.

Road_Hog

dizzy-di wrote: »

With the engine running, as we took off the screw cap where the oil goes and started to put oil in, the oil spurted out and sprayed everywhere.

Yes, that is normal. What is not normal is for you to have the car running when you top up the oil.

Tell me, when you fill up with fuel, do you have the car engine running? No, I thought not, so why did you leave the car running and pour oil into the engine?

AlexisV

The oil pump circulates the oil around the engine. If the engine's on it will still be moving around the engine and so spurt out of the top!

mattyprice4004

Filled the oil with the engine on? I'm sure if you read the handbook, it's recommended you don't do that.

I'd probably leave any further maintenance to a garage, you can do all kinds of damage so easily on a car.

Strider590

dizzy-di wrote: »

The car passed its MOT in January, without a problem, it is due a service, but i am worried about spending money out if there is another serious problem. The car has always been 100% reliable, and we have never had a problem with it in the 3 years of ownership.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Should we take that to mean "it's not needed any work at all in 3 years, including a proper service"?

You know that an MOT pass doesn't mean the car is healthy or in good condition? it simply means it met the safety requirements on the day.

fivetide

You should also check the oil with the engine being cold as hot/warm oil will be higher up the dipstick than if it is cold.

Re-check it in the morning on level ground. Sounds like your car needs a bit of maintainence.

5t.