Hey guys maybe you can help. I have an 89 Iroc, 305 tpi, manual tranny. I foolishly just went an entire year without changing the oil. Please look past my idiocy here. So the last couple days the engine was making this clack clack sound, and yesterday when I was parking the car shut off and wouldn't start. A little later it started but ran like a cripple. I checked the dipstick and it registered ZERO oil. I put in 3 quarts, gave it a few minutes, and slowly cruised home. This morning I did Jiffy Lube, let the car sit for a few hours, and tested it. Verdict: The car shifts fine and performs normal when just cruising, but when I step on it a little it won't go like it used to. It'll just resist and stagger a bit when try to go fast. Please tell me I didn't permanently mess up my car. What do you think? Thanks for reading this and maybe you can help me??

thanks!!!

 

I've seen engines survive from the owner not changing oil but I've also seen others toasted. Take it easy on it, watch your oil pressure, listen for funky noises, maybe check the oil more often and change it more than once a year lol.

 

Thanks boss, will do.

 

Doesnt sound internal so i would say the engine it self is ok
What other maintence has been neglected i would start thinking tune up plugs wires rotor cap airfilter i bet itll be big difference and youll be happy ans so will she

 

You know, I changed the wires and plugs about a month ago, the air filter is still pretty good, but i'll look at the rotor cap. Thanks man!

 

Remember, the rotor AND cap! it's important you look at both!

 

Noted. Will do. Thanks again!!

 

If it were oil starvation, you would hear rods knocking from spun bearings. Sounds like you just got a "slap on the hand".

 

so steve what do you recommend that i do?? because as i said when i try to really get on it it wont pull like before.

 

Are you blowing oil out the back? Blue smoke? Did you pay attention to the oil pressure during the low oil incident? I would suggest a compression check on all cylinders. Something is different, but from what you explained it does not sound like your engine was damaged by oil starvation. I would have a complete diagnostics done by a good shop you trust. I hope you report back to this thread when you find the gremlin.

It sounds more like you problem is induction related, and coincided with your low oil problem.

 

Yeah my bro also recommended that I get it diagnosed. I'll do it tomorrow for sure. (fingers crossed) Thanks man!!

 

and oh, no its not blowing oil or smoke out the back.

 

Well that's a plus. I wouldn't sweat it if I were you. Chevy small blocks have a bullet proof reputation.

 

Heh, customer of a guy I know drove their 4.3 s-10 blazer about 400 miles with a nasty rod knock. It finally let loose when the mechanic was sitting there reving it going "Hey guys, listen to this!" Boom, windowed the block and shot out a wrist pin with other chunks.

 

what does customer of a guy mean?

 

Guy = mechanic. Wouldn't exactly call him a friend anymore or mechanic really lol. He rebuilt a TH400 for me 3 times and it burned up, 3 times. Slapped a different TH400 in from another builder and all has been great for 8+ years.