Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - '97 Subaru Engine run dry

apetaster · 11-28-2003, 10:01 AM

On the highway to Gramma's house yesterday I noticed a slight rattle from the engine of my 97 Subaru Outback (88k miles)
at about 4500 RPM in 5th. About 30 seconds later it suddenly turned into a rotating cacaphony of an engine that sounded like it was on its' way to seizing. No smoke, just noise.

I let off the accelerator, started coasting to the shoulder and as I did so the oil pressure light came on. I turned off the ignition immediately as I was coasting to the shoulder. Figuring the engine was running low on oil I took a measurement and the dipstick was dry. I took the 2 quarts of oil I keep in the car and put them into the crankcase, waited a few minutes and turned the car over - it started but still had a lot of racket, so I turned it off and called for a tow.

Took it to the nearest Subaru dealer, who called me this AM and told me that the engine was bone dry and had zero oil in it. I told him that I had put in two quarts after the breakdown and he said it was bone dry, but did not agree that there was a leak (there was no oil on the flatbed wrecker nor on the spot on the road where threw in the oil (it's about a 5-6 quart engine or so, I think) He told me I needed a new engine, plain and simple. I have reason to distrust this dealer as I've just heard some less than positive things about their service policies, so would ideally like to be able to take the car to a local shop who I trust.

BTW - I checked the oil in Oct and added 3/4 quart and it was just about at the full line of the dipstick - no leaks on my garage floor... I asked if the plug was loose, the oil filter was seated or there was a crack or gasket failure and they stated that they did not see any sign of failure of leakage.

Question is - if the engine is really shot, is there any harm in my bringing along 5 quarts of oil with me and a cellphone whith AAA on redial and attempting to top off the crankcase with oil and drive to the local garage (with my wife following in her car?) The engine I believe will still turn over, so it's not totally seized. Is this doable if I drive gingerly?

Thanks in advance.

11-28-2003, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
apetaster Insane Location: P.R. Mass.	'97 Subaru Engine run dry - nothing to lose? On the highway to Gramma's house yesterday I noticed a slight rattle from the engine of my 97 Subaru Outback (88k miles) at about 4500 RPM in 5th. About 30 seconds later it suddenly turned into a rotating cacaphony of an engine that sounded like it was on its' way to seizing. No smoke, just noise. I let off the accelerator, started coasting to the shoulder and as I did so the oil pressure light came on. I turned off the ignition immediately as I was coasting to the shoulder. Figuring the engine was running low on oil I took a measurement and the dipstick was dry. I took the 2 quarts of oil I keep in the car and put them into the crankcase, waited a few minutes and turned the car over - it started but still had a lot of racket, so I turned it off and called for a tow. Took it to the nearest Subaru dealer, who called me this AM and told me that the engine was bone dry and had zero oil in it. I told him that I had put in two quarts after the breakdown and he said it was bone dry, but did not agree that there was a leak (there was no oil on the flatbed wrecker nor on the spot on the road where threw in the oil (it's about a 5-6 quart engine or so, I think) He told me I needed a new engine, plain and simple. I have reason to distrust this dealer as I've just heard some less than positive things about their service policies, so would ideally like to be able to take the car to a local shop who I trust. BTW - I checked the oil in Oct and added 3/4 quart and it was just about at the full line of the dipstick - no leaks on my garage floor... I asked if the plug was loose, the oil filter was seated or there was a crack or gasket failure and they stated that they did not see any sign of failure of leakage. Question is - if the engine is really shot, is there any harm in my bringing along 5 quarts of oil with me and a cellphone whith AAA on redial and attempting to top off the crankcase with oil and drive to the local garage (with my wife following in her car?) The engine I believe will still turn over, so it's not totally seized. Is this doable if I drive gingerly? Thanks in advance.