dasttq

Good evening
I was driving my '01 225hp TTQ when the alarm sounded and the oil can icon and "min" showed up on my dash. I pulled over, shut off the car, and checked the oil. There was none. Really. nothing showed on the dipstick.
the car is not leaking oil and I haven't noticed any telltale smoke from the exhausts. The car isn't due for an oil change for another 1000 miles or so. I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on? I'll put in some Mobil 1 tomorrow and take it to my shop, but I'm hoping someone might have some input.
Thanks in advance.

TTschwing

Is you're not checking your oil frequently enough. Are you going 10K between changes? (most of us go 5K BTW). If you'e burning 1 qt per 4K miles (which is not all that unusual), you can conceivably be down over 2 quarts (which is why it didn't show on the stick). Put oil in it and please check it more frequently!

dasttq

thanks for the quick post! I really appreciate it.
You are right, I haven't been checking my oil. But, it's only been around 4,000 miles since the last oil change (I have it changed every 5k or so). So, I'm still a bit concerned as to why there is a problem.
Stupid follow-up question: when is it best to check the oil level? When the engine is cold or hot, after driving hard or easy, etc.?
Thanks again

TTschwing

Whoever did your change last did not fill it all the way. The dif. between the bottom of the stick and the top mark is about 1 quart. If it was halfway between the marks, losing a quart would drop you off the stick. My car used a fair amount of oil in it's early days but essentially hasn't used a drop in the pst 20K. Oil usage on these cars is often through the PCV system....They rarely ever "burn" oil.

Check after the engine has been sitting off for awhile and the oil has drained to the sump. Hot or cold doesn't matter...

Basttion

It really doesn't really matter, however, it will be higher on the stick when warm...

robcee

good to know. thanks for the advice.

acmarTTin

About 2 months before my 60k service I got the same warning as you and I put a quart in. When my car went in for the service, my mechanic said that I had some leaky oil business and I believe he said it was coming from some weak valve seals. He explained that since my oil pan was so big, I probably didn't notice any spotting on the floor of my garage. (and I didn't.) He said that this specific leak can land on the timing belt and soften it till the point that it breaks. So if you are a high mile car, which I'm assuming you are because I also have a '01 225 coupe, you may want to check it out.

If you have more specific questions I'd be happy to answer, because I typed all of this from memory and not by looking at my list of repairs from the shop.
-Adam

dasttq

Thanks very much.
Re: "Oil usage on these cars is often through the PCV system...." This could be another stupid question, but ask it I must... What is the PCV system, and how does it use the oil?
Thanks again.

dasttq

Thanks for the feedback. My car has around 47,000 miles on it. I've only put around 9,000 miles on it in the past year. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if something like what you're talking about is the case with my car as well. I will see what my shop says when they look at the car.
what repair work was done on your car, then? Did you have to have a new timing belt? About how much did you pay, and for what?
Again, thanks very much.

TTschwing

It's handled by a series of lines and check valves to relieve pressure in the crancase. Since our cars operate under boost a lot the system is complex and can develop leaks. The oily mist is vented to the intake where it is eventually burned with the regular air coming through the air filter...

<img src="http://images2.fotki.com/v21/photos/7/7305/225766/pcvboost-vi.jpg">