3.3TT Where did my oil go? Engine Light.

[cncBilly]

Driving home today from an approx. 60km round trip some hwy some stop go. About 2k from home I notice “Engine Light” on, Hmmm I says to myself. Get home check oil, there is none!! Oil/filter were changed 2/3 hundred kilometres ago by myself. No leaking, no sign of leaking. Car sat for 12 - 14 days since oil change. No sign of oil in parking spot etc etc. So what the #@$&!!!

I do recall in the last year or so another member had a similar mystery but I can’t remember the thread or details but I believe there was a resolution. I’ll have a closer look tomorrow, strip my goodies and likely have it towed to the dealer. It would be nice to be armed with the similar story before talking to them. Nonetheless keep ya’s posted. Sucks for me!!

 

[JSolo]

Pull the cover, make sure nothing is wet underneath. Do you recall how much oil you added at the oil change? Car level when adding oil?

 

[cncBilly]

Pull the cover, make sure nothing is wet underneath. Do you recall how much oil you added at the oil change? Car level when adding oil?

Added 6.8 / 7 Ltrs car level. Haven’t checked under the cover yet but I would believe with that much missing if it was coming out underneath the cover wouldn’t be able to hold it all. However I will check thx.

 

[JSolo]

Usually to go from the low to full is about a quart with most cars. So agreed if it leaked out externally there should be a big mess underneath.

For that much to get burned over the course of 200-300 km (125 - 190 miles) seems excessive too.

This isn't the first oil change you've done on this car right?

The owner's manual is goofy about procedure for checking oil level. Start the car, let it warm up fully, shut it off, wait 15 min then check... WTF... I check my oil level cold. Been a few mm under the full mark which equate to at the full mark when hot. I'm not sure I understand the logic in checking the way the owner's manual describes.

 

[JSolo]

Is this the thread you're looking for?

3.3TT - Oil Leak

Yeah, looks like I have an oil leak, and I just made my first payment. lol Found rainbow stains in the driveway (it's raining), check all the levels and oil is a little above the low mark. Hmmm. Put some cardboard under the car and 10 min later, there's 2 oil drip stains about 1 foot apart...

stingerforum.org

 

[hummus]

Usually to go from the low to full is about a quart with most cars. So agreed if it leaked out externally there should be a big mess underneath.

This is an important point that hopefully is understood by the OP and anyone learning about car maintenance. Pulling the dipstick and not seeing any oil does not mean it's completely empty; worst case is that it is low by at least a quart, though it could be more than that. Best case, the oil is at an acceptable level but difficult to read because fresh oil--especially low weight oil that many cars use these days--can be nearly invisible on the stick under many lighting conditions.

The owner's manual is goofy about procedure for checking oil level. Start the car, let it warm up fully, shut it off, wait 15 min then check... WTF... I check my oil level cold. Been a few mm under the full mark which equate to at the full mark when hot. I'm not sure I understand the logic in checking the way the owner's manual describes.

This is actually consistent with Audi BMW, and Mercedes models that lack a dipstick, measure oil level via sensor and provide a reading electronically. When trying to view the level on the infotainment screen, the car would instruct the driver to start it up and let it run before displaying a reading.

 

[cncBilly]

Is this the thread you're looking for?

3.3TT - Oil Leak

Yeah, looks like I have an oil leak, and I just made my first payment. lol Found rainbow stains in the driveway (it's raining), check all the levels and oil is a little above the low mark. Hmmm. Put some cardboard under the car and 10 min later, there's 2 oil drip stains about 1 foot apart...

stingerforum.org

No thats not it. Thx though.

 

[cncBilly]

Usually to go from the low to full is about a quart with most cars. So agreed if it leaked out externally there should be a big mess underneath.

For that much to get burned over the course of 200-300 km (125 - 190 miles) seems excessive too.

This isn't the first oil change you've done on this car right?

The owner's manual is goofy about procedure for checking oil level. Start the car, let it warm up fully, shut it off, wait 15 min then check... WTF... I check my oil level cold. Been a few mm under the full mark which equate to at the full mark when hot. I'm not sure I understand the logic in checking the way the owner's manual describes.

I checked my book and the mileage is more like 500km

 

[cncBilly]

This is an important point that hopefully is understood by the OP and anyone learning about car maintenance. Pulling the dipstick and not seeing any oil does not mean it's completely empty; worst case is that it is low by at least a quart, though it could be more than that. Best case, the oil is at an acceptable level but difficult to read because fresh oil--especially low weight oil that many cars use these days--can be nearly invisible on the stick under many lighting conditions.

This is actually consistent with Audi BMW, and Mercedes models that lack a dipstick, measure oil level via sensor and provide a reading electronically. When trying to view the level on the infotainment screen, the car would instruct the driver to start it up and let it run before displaying a reading.

Ok my mistake. On checking this morning lots of oil. I clearly didn’t see it yesterday in my freaked out state and probably light change from out to in was a factor. This morning I literally had to press the drip stick to tissue to see where it was on the reader. So I guess the engine light could be pointing to a number of possible issues. Thx for your calming reply. Cheers.

 

[JSolo]

Is the check engine light still on? Have access to a code reader? If you don't have a code reader, take a driver over to one of the auto parts stores.. They'll read and printout for free usually.

 

[cncBilly]

Is the check engine light still on? Have access to a code reader? If you don't have a code reader, take a driver over to one of the auto parts stores.. They'll read and printout for free usually.

Yes the light is still on. I don’t have a code reader so I’ll have to try your suggestion. I’m about to take it outside and see what the Vehicle Status is through the UVO app. I feel/ look like an idiot not seeing oil yesterday. But sure relieved today. Thx again for the input.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Yes the light is still on. I don’t have a code reader so I’ll have to try your suggestion. I’m about to take it outside and see what the Vehicle Status is through the UVO app. I feel/ look like an idiot not seeing oil yesterday. But sure relieved today. Thx again for the input.

Uhh. I’d be less relieved now having an unexplained check engine light.

hope it’s nothing urgent.

invest in a code reader/ scan tool.

they are cheap. And handy.

 

[RedCal]

Did you refuel? ie Gas cap tight?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yes the light is still on. I don’t have a code reader so I’ll have to try your suggestion. I’m about to take it outside and see what the Vehicle Status is through the UVO app. I feel/ look like an idiot not seeing oil yesterday. But sure relieved today. Thx again for the input.

I'd rather feel foolish than have a car losing oil in the Twilight Zone, any day. Also, 68 year-old eyes have to look very carefully to see where the oil is on this dipstick.

 

[cncBilly]

I'd rather feel foolish than have a car losing oil in the Twilight Zone, any day. Also, 68 year-old eyes have to look very carefully to see where the oil is on this dipstick.

As do the eyes that are only 61.

 

[JSolo]

My first time doing an o/c involving 0w20 I encountered the same issue as OP. Could barely see the level on the stick. Mind you, the stick in the accord was about a meter long too!

 

[cncBilly]

Did you refuel? ie Gas cap tight?

Yes cap tight.
Went for a little spin Engine Light still on. Stopped at the club to do the UVO app Vehicle Status it does its thing comes back AOK. So I’m going to do what @JSolo suggested but first I’m going down to the boat to grab my mask (marshal law back today) get to the ramp and realize no boat keys. Back to the car start it and no Engine Light. WTF time to buy more mods!

 

[JSolo]

MIL light usually stays on for x amount of start cycles after a fault. If fault doesn't happen for these x cycles, it stays off. However, given the newness of the car I'd expect it to still be stored in history somewhere.

I have a plx kiwi from about 8 or 9 years ago. It's worked well and proved more consistent/reliable than the other elm devices on ebay. Used to keep it in the car but then gave up on caring on all the parameters. Stimuli overload you know. I should hook it back up to see what parameters it picks up on the kia.

Kiwi 2 OBD2 OBDII Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic Scanner | Android

Turn your Android smartphone into a professional grade OBD2 diagnostic scanner. Read/reset engine codes, monitor real time engine performance, and more.

www.plxdevices.com

Works well with torque/obd fusion.

 

[hayagix]

What's better than a tiger in your tank?

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Lipstick on your dipstick.

 

[RedCal]

Yes cap tight.
Went for a little spin Engine Light still on. Stopped at the club to do the UVO app Vehicle Status it does its thing comes back AOK. So I’m going to do what @JSolo suggested but first I’m going down to the boat to grab my mask (marshal law back today) get to the ramp and realize no boat keys. Back to the car start it and no Engine Light. WTF time to buy more mods!

Needs an "italian tune up"