Car not starting, low oil level?

Marvel1

Started my car this morning, started straight away, end of street forgot my wallet. Went to start car again but wouldn't start, a ticking sound, oil light flashing.

Checked oil, below min level, topped up to max, tried again straight over and nothing. Left for 10 mins and nothing ticking sound, oil light flashing.

Had bus to work instead.

Is it possible for for the oil to take its time or cold weather?

Bettie

When I am low on oil my engine management light comes on, I top up with oil and it takes until the next day at least before the light goes away.
I am not sure if that is useful information!

Retrogamer

Sounds strange.

On most of the cars i've had the oil light being on constantly means low oil level and flashing means low oil pressure.
The flashing oil light with me for low oil pressure was only happening once the car had started though so it sounds like yours may mean something different.


What car & engine is it?
When was it last serviced (oil & filter)
How many miles has it covered?

Ebe_Scrooge

It's knackered :-(

Cold weather will not have an appreciable affect on the oil circulation ( a very small effect, due to the increased viscosity, but nothing of any note ). I can only think that a seal or gasket somewhere has suddenly blown. If the oil is below minimum - I assume it was OK when you last checked it within the last week or so ? - then a major leak has developed. Unless you've been burning oil, but to burn that much in a week or two, you'd know about it without a doubt.

Worst case - you've been running it with no oil, without knowing about it, and it's finally given up the ghost.

Strider590

OP

First of all your battery is knackered..... The not starting and "ticking" gives it away.

Second of all, your VERY lucky this happened because it's forced you to check your oil levels.

While your in there, check all your fluid levels and take this as a lesson in BASIC car ownership/maintenance.

Everyone else, take a step back and look OP again. You've all jumped to the conclusion that it's the oil.

It's the middle of winter, prime season for car battery failures. When a battery is half dead it can cause all sorts of weird effects, my car for example will lose all dashboard dials+lights 2 days before the battery finally gives up.

The OP has started the car and stopped it before the alternator has had chance to put a charge back into the battery and if the battery is old, it may only have 20% of it's design capacity at full charge, enough to start the car once, but not again in quick succession.

I don't know about all cars, but in ALL cars with mechanic oil pumps, the oil pressure light comes on until the engine is running and will flicker as you turn the engine over. Where else does the pressure come from?

cajef

Bettie wrote: »

When I am low on oil my engine management light comes on, I top up with oil and it takes until the next day at least before the light goes away.
I am not sure if that is useful information!

Are you saying that you wait for the oil light to come on before you top it up or check the level?:eek:

If that is the case no it is not useful information.

BeenThroughItAll

Bettie wrote: »

When I am low on oil my engine management light comes on, I top up with oil and it takes until the next day at least before the light goes away.
I am not sure if that is useful information!

cajef wrote: »

Are you saying that you wait for the oil light to come on before you top it up or check the level?:eek:

If that is the case no it is not useful information.

However, Bettie, if you could post the make, model, colour and registration number of your vehicle so we all know to avoid ever buying it secondhand, that WOULD be useful information.

Marktheshark

The battery is most likely flat, or the timing belt snapped.

Bettie

Retrogamer wrote: »

Sounds strange.

On most of the cars i've had the oil light being on constantly means low oil level and flashing means low oil pressure.
The flashing oil light with me for low oil pressure was only happening once the car had started though so it sounds like yours may mean something different.


What car & engine is it?
When was it last serviced (oil & filter)
How many miles has it covered?

Fiat Panda 1.1
serviced september
36,000 miles
i don't have an oil light as such, not the red one. three times I have been low on oil, not empty, just above minimum line, each time the yellow management light came on, three times it took at least one day after topping up to go away. I assumed it would take time for the oil to "get round" and the light needs to reset after turning the engine off and back on. Once I had to turn it off twice before it went away.

Marvel1

Thanks all its a Ford Fiesta 04 1.4 engine.

Last serviced 2/3 years ago, has under 80,000 miles I know that.

Last checked oil August, as I don't use it daily, stupid I know.

My next plan is try again, pray, if not, jump leads for battery and pray.

Bettie

cajef wrote: »

Are you saying that you wait for the oil light to come on before you top it up or check the level?:eek:

If that is the case no it is not useful information.

well the strange thing is it's never empty, just getting low when the management light comes on. I check it before long journeys and a few months after servicing unless the light comes on
Must be time now!
lol