Engine oil light came on then car lost power.

[Chipmunk]

1998 Toyota Camry LE (4 cylinder) with about 180,000 miles

Driving at 35 mph. Engine oil light came on and engine started to lose power and RPM. Drove for about 200 feet then pulled over to side of road.

Checked dipstick and it was low on oil, so put in 2 quarts. After refilling, the oil in the dipstick was well above the full mark.

Tried numerous times to start engine but no luck. Battery is fine and so is starter.Starter motor turns over but engine won't start.

So is the engine kaput? Has it seized?

If the oil was dangerously low then should the light have come on earlier when the oil level was low but not dangerously low?

Thanks

[Chris Crash]

Usually by the time the oil light comes on, you're screwed. Mine came on on night, I immediately filled it up with oil. Next morning the engine blew chunks.

Does the engine turn over?

[chronoti]

you prolly cooked a ring let the engine cool down and try again maybe jump the car so the starter gets more power to break the ring free

[Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by Chris Crash

Usually by the time the oil light comes on, you're screwed. Mine came on on night, I immediately filled it up with oil. Next morning the engine blew chunks.

Does the engine turn over?

The starter turns over. I don't know how to tell if the engine turns over.


chronoti

Yeah I tried jump starting it too, no luck.

[91boz]

Timing Belt?
Coincidence that the oil was low.

[Chris Crash]

Does it sound like it normally sounds when you start a car?

Or does it make funky noises?

[Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by 91boz

Timing Belt?
Coincidence that the oil was low.

??



Chris Crash

Does it sound like it normally sounds when you start a car?

Or does it make funky noises?

Sounds about the same.

Could the engine be flooded cuz the oil is about half an inch above the full mark on the dipstick.

[djb2]

How low on oil?

Is the tach jumping a bit when you crank the engine?

Avoid using the phrase "turned over". To some people, this means cranking with the starter. To others it means running on its own power, however briefly.

[Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by djb2

How low on oil?

Is the tach jumping a bit when you crank the engine?

Avoid using the phrase "turned over". To some people, this means cranking with the starter. To others it means running on its own power, however briefly.

Oh just a smidgen of oil on the dipstick, like 3mm.

Engine does not turn over, so tach stays at zero.