Oil Pressure In A Car That Won't Start.

[sbrown1450]

My grandsons car broke down before Christmas and it turns out he had run out if oil.
The oil has been re-filled but there is no pressure and the ignition clicks but will not start.
How do we build up the pressure so he can get it to the garage?
Thank you for any help.

[Clanad]

You don't provide enough information for a truly adequate answer... but... sounds to me like the "broke down" car that now won't start and had been "run out of oil", probably siezed... ruined... kaput.

How would you know there's no oil pressure if the engine won't start? The engine must be running to develop and display oil prssure. The fact that it won't start but only "cliks" reinforces the diagnosis above. If the engine is siezed the starter won't be able to even turn it over as in attempting a start, hence the clicking you're hearing...

[bhg481]

Or the battery has gone flat if the car hasn't been used for a while - that would cause a click as you tried to start it.
You could try either jump or bump starting the car.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Use a socket wrench on the front of the crank pulley and attempt to turn the engine.If it wont move then a new engine is needed.

[sbrown1450]

Going by what my grandson said about oil pressure.
Tried bumping and jump starting and charging battery overnight.
Grandson went to work at another branch, when he parked up the car was fine.(his words). It turned freezing overnight and when he came out if work the car would not start.
Some sparks on a building site came over and tried to jump start but nothing happened. Grandson thought maybe it was petrol as the car did try to start so he put petrol in. No go.
His friend towed the car home where we put the battery in charge ivernight(it's his first car). Putting the battery into the car it clicks but will not start.
He has been quoted an arm an leg to transport it to the garage so they can do a diagnostic on the car. But he just cannot afford it.
I am just trying to find a way to help.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Mixed messages here sb.....what about the 'run out of oil' bit....a very significant piece of the diagnosis.

[tonyav]

Definitely is, BRIGHT SPARK. Did it leak it out or did it burn it !.

[sbrown1450]

My guess is he didn't check oil levels. He said there were no emergency lights ir smell burning in the car.
His 'friend' told him as the car had no oil it needed the oil pressure built up.
Sorry I am not a mechanic so the message us garbled. I told him to get a mobile diagnostic out.
He has said the car 'Fiat Evo 1.4 Sport is heavy on petrol and oil.
He bought it 6 months ago from Carcraft and it had had major problem after major problem, ie gearbox trouble they finally changed the gearbox.
He wants to get rid or park the car up. I told him as it cost him £8,000 plus he needs to sort it and sell it as a going concern.

[TWR]

Cam Belt??? has that been checked?

[tonyav]

There should be an oil warning light on the dash, have to ask why didn't this light up.

[TonyV]

Tonyav bulb gone , but seems engine has had it ie NFG

[tonyav]

Tonyav bulb gone


Maybe or removed.

[Prudie]

or ignored :-) I let a car run out of oil by ignoring the light. It broke down and I needed a new engine - thought that was fairly standard when you run out of oil, it's not like a central heating tank that you just refill and maybe have an air bubble or two to deal with:-)

[EDDIE51]

Sorry but from what I see he has run it without oil and seized the engine.
Now he needs a new engine, very expensive mistake!

[tonyav]

LOL @ Prudie.

I once watched a woman topping up her oil on her Toyota Supra on a garage forecourt, she kept on pouring it in until it was coming out of the dipstick tube !.

[EDDIE51]

^^ I once saw a woman trying to refill the oil via the dipstick hole!
Yes I did the decent thing and showed her where the oil filler was.

[tonyav]

Good man, EDDIE.
The woman with the Supra was pouring the oil into the correct place but she just didn't stop pouring !.

[alavahalf]

If he cant afford oil and cant afford to have it taken to a garage ... he certainly wont be able to afford the repairs or a new engine.

Get him to have a look in the Friday ad ... http://www.friday-ad.co.uk/uk/for-sale/sports-equipment-bicycles/bicycles-N-1z141x4

[sbrown1450]

Thanks for all your input.
I will give him the bad news although he will be glad to be rid of the car.

[Graham-W]

To tell if the engine is seized, put the car in top gear with the handbrake off. Open the bonnet and watch the belts while you push the car forwards and backwards. If the belts move it's not seized. The engine may still be knackered but you'll know if it's seized or not. If it's not seized it should turn over on the starter motor.

[Iggle Piggle]

You could always list it on Ebay and state that the buyer / winning bidder MUST collect.