Oil light came on

[medic]

Just got my oil changed last week, and last night while driving, the oil light came on.

Thankfully I was just in front of a gas station and could pull in. The dip stick was dry and ended up putting in 1.5L of oil.

The oil pan was clean, no leaks noted. I saw the oil change with my own eyes, so I can verify that it was done properly.

Any ideas what's happening? The thought of the engine running dry of oil scares the hell out of me.

[Miner]

Is there an oil cooler?

Any alien abduction reports in your area?

[Simon]

1.5L in a week is excessive. You'd either see it leaking, or see it burning.

I'm willing to bet they simply didn't put enough oil in to begin with. Keep an eye on it.

[Snafu]

It is probably just because of the oil change. How is the coolant to rule that out?

Did they fill up the filter properly? Did they run the engine after changing for a few minutes then let it cool before checking the level? The oil should be cold before checking.

In addition to checking the level after changing the oil, I always try check the level after a good drive the next day to be sure.

Top it up when it is cold then check it twice a day to be sure the level is still not dropping.

Park it in a clean spot (or garage) and watch for drips before you drive away.

[the x kid]

1.5L in a week is excessive. You'd either see it leaking, or see it burning.

I'm willing to bet they simply didn't put enough oil in to begin with. Keep an eye on it.

That's why I do my own.

[Adam]

1.5L in a week is excessive. You'd either see it leaking, or see it burning.

I'm willing to bet they simply didn't put enough oil in to begin with. Keep an eye on it.

That's why I do my own.

X2

The last time I had it done somewhere they forgot to put the oil cap back on...

[Scotto]

It is so common for shops to use a couple kids to do the oil that it's a bit scary. One kid says to the other "Get the oil" and the one kid does, but doesn't pour it in, while the other kid goes off and signs off on the job done.

Always check the oil level if you have a general garage do the change.


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[Jayman]

I've been doing my own for the last bunch of years, because I had a similar experience at a shop with the Xterra.

They put a couple of bottles in, got distracted or something, then I showed up to pick up the truck. Different tech put the oil cap back on, and drove it out of the shop not realizing that the oil was only half full.

In a bit of redemption though, the shop DID call me on my way home to say that they were pretty sure that they goofed on the oil level, so I should probably check it. When I got home and checked, it didn't even register on the dipstick, so I added about 1.5 litres to get it topped up.

I called them back to say that yes, the oil level was low, and they apologized and told me my next oil change was free. I went back only once though.

It happens, people are human and will make mistakes from time to time.

It IS once of the reasons I do my own oil changes at home though. It gets me under the truck to poke and prod around, and it still only takes me about 30 minutes. And that's doddling around while doing it.

The only annoying part is remembering to take the waste oil to Canadian Tire for disposal. the last time I did a drop off, I had something like eight 4L jugs of waste oil.

[medic]

all is well with the X now.

I need to check the oil level every 1000km as it seems to be burning oil faster than usual.

As for what happened this time?????

[Scotto]

It's really not uncommon for older vehicles to use a little more oil. And remember our trucks only have 3L in there as it is.


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[the x kid]

You mean 3.5 with a new oil filter,don't you.

[Scotto]

3.3L. Plus a little for the filter.

Call it what you want. But in my mind the truck is running around with about 3L of oil. Not a lot. I drink more (beer) than that sitting around on the deck after work.


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[Bow_Tied]

Really? I prefer to drink beer when on a deck, but to each his own.

One thing I agree with is the small amount of oil that is critical to cooling in these engines is surprising. Why Nissan uses such small filters is hard for me to understand, I think 2-3 of the pathfinder's filters could fit in one from other cars I have had. Makes a difference in the total volume.

[Scotto]

I did run a by- pass for a while, using a SBC sized filter. Not sure it mattered a whole lot. And then the lines on it started leaking bad. I just change the filter a lot. PITA with a skid plate that makes it impossible to get to.

But it is weird having a thimble sized oil filter.


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[Scotto]

And for More Ron, post edited.


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[Miner]

If you think the filter is small you should see it on the 5.6 with 6+ litres of engine oil.