djmac56 0 Posted March 19, 2006 Hi All, I am rather sad to admit I haven't looked at my VR6's oil levels since Christmas, and today when my car didn't start I realised it was totally empty of oil. I shoved 2 litres of oil in, and when I tried to start it, there was a loud pop like backfiring. The recovery bloke said I'm getting a backdraft from sucking in air and that it would need to go to a garage tomorrow for work to be done. He said that potentially, since the engine can run for a few hundred miles without oil, it could have been getting damaged for a few weeks. What's everyone's opinion? What damage might I be looking at? How much might it cost? Can anyone please recommend some decent garages within 10 miles of Weybridge, Surrey (as far as my insurance will allow me to get it flatbedded on a lorry). I promise never to let that happen again once I've got this repaired! Cheers, Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g60bv 0 Posted March 19, 2006 hay a white corrado. sweet. - me too. erm potentialy. bottom end bearings cam bearings. oil pump. -,may have cracked a cylinder.? good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbekk 0 Posted March 19, 2006 ouch, let's hope everything is okay. Take it to your local garage and have them look at it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 24v 0 Posted March 19, 2006 Where are you based? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted March 19, 2006 To be honest it sounds like some engine work is needed anyway if you've used 2 ltrs in a few hundred files... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmac56 0 Posted March 19, 2006 I'm In Weybridge - near Egham / Woking / Kingston type of neck of the woods. I can't believe I was so stupid. I love my car, am dead proud of it and am gutted beyond belief. It's like a kind of grief I'm feeling, plus the worry about what it's going to cost! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 24v 0 Posted March 20, 2006 Reckon you'll be changing the sig soon!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gradeAfailure 0 Posted March 20, 2006 A call/visit to The Phirm might not be a bad idea as they're not a million miles away... http://www.thephirm.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy T 0 Posted March 20, 2006 How come your oil light or warning buzzer didn't come on?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmac56 0 Posted March 20, 2006 Reckon you'll be changing the sig soon!!! Oh no! I hope not. Jeez, this could be the most expensive mistake I've ever made. I have no idea why the oil light and buzzer didn't come on. I'm hoping that's a good sign and that it has cut out without too much knackered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmac56 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Good news - she's on the road again. £400 pounds lighter in the wallet department, but the guy reckons by ECU was sending the engine a load of nonsense. He reckoned that a lot of leaves and water had got in past the seal, so he said I need to keep it dry. He also reckoned I may be missing some sort of cover (something begining with 'p') that keeps leaves, water, old matresses and small birds nests out of that bit of the car. I'll understand if no-one has any idea what I mean, and will have a look through the forum to see if anyone else has asked this before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted March 23, 2006 there is a cover,but it only cover the ecu area,there is a group buy through audioscape for a full lengh scuttle cover(its in the group buy section) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbekk 0 Posted March 23, 2006 nice to hear everything turned out okay for you, djmac56. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted March 23, 2006 There's a huge orange rubber seal inside the ECU plug that keeps it water tight. You might want to check it's there, sometimes they fall out if people fiddle with the connections. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntonar 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Hi All, He said that potentially, since the engine can run for a few hundred miles without oil, it could have been getting damaged for a few weeks. Mark BTW an engine can not run a few hunderd miles without oil. You would be lucky to get 1/4 mile. Make sure to check your oil every time you fill with gas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_mat 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Depends how hard you drive, and what you mean by "without oil". When the warning light comes on you almost certainly still have oil, just not enough to be safe if the engine is worked hard... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy T 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Good news - she's on the road again. £400 pounds lighter in the wallet department, but the guy reckons by ECU was sending the engine a load of nonsense. He reckoned that a lot of leaves and water had got in past the seal, so he said I need to keep it dry. He also reckoned I may be missing some sort of cover (something begining with 'p') that keeps leaves, water, old matresses and small birds nests out of that bit of the car. I'll understand if no-one has any idea what I mean, and will have a look through the forum to see if anyone else has asked this before. What did you get for your £400 then? a new ECU? on my old mk2 gti the ECU connector got wet and corroded but it cleaned up fine with some emery cloth. The mechanic seems a bit vague in what he's trying to say! the 'scuttle' area where the ECU sits can get flooded if the drainage holes get blocked up (located in each corner near the bonnet hinges) its worth checking and cleaning them out regulary, if they are blocked they can help water find its way inside the car too :roll: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmac56 0 Posted March 25, 2006 there is a cover,but it only cover the ecu area,there is a group buy through audioscape for a full lengh scuttle cover(its in the group buy section) Full length scuttle cover? sounds like the wife's grundies! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmac56 0 Posted March 25, 2006 Thanks everyone for your advice and assistance :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lottysvdub 0 Posted March 25, 2006 Full length scuttle cover? sounds like the wife's grundies! dont scare me any more my :pale: , bet your wife dosnt know you just posted that last remark :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites