Whelp, I've ruined the one thing I enjoy in my life.

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty) 10/17/2014 at 17:30 • Filed to: None

0

100

I left the oil cap off the C4. It runs like shit now. Speaking of shit, I just stepped in two separate mounds of dog shit to make the day even better! Now my car gets to sit under a cover for a few years until my broke ass makes enough to buy a rebuilt engine. I'm even angrier at myself for ruining something that's been in use for nearly 30 years.

crowmolly > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:32

1

How did you ruin it by leaving the oil cap off? I've left engines OPEN for weeks.

Bandit > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:32

1

Where are you located? Time for a LS swap

PS9 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:32

2

Leaving the oil cap off can ruin an engine???

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:32

3

HammerheadFistpunch > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:33

0

wait...did you spray all our oil out or something?

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:33

1

wow, incredibly sorry to hear that.

The timing may be good though, more engines available now than in winter when everyone has their cars in storage.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:33

2

But, really, time for an LS Swap.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:34

0

Can you not attempt a filter and oil change? How badly damaged is it?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:34

0

Oh holy shit, man. That's the pits. You're sure there's no way to salvage the engine and get it running?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/17/2014 at 17:35

0

I did right after I found out. Even rougher now...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > AM3R 10/17/2014 at 17:36

0

Thanks, and good point.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 10/17/2014 at 17:36

0

It's running, but it feels like it's way down on compression and seems to knock a bit.

JBurd67 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/17/2014 at 17:37

0

mr2gud2u > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:38

0

really sorry to hear that man

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > HammerheadFistpunch 10/17/2014 at 17:38

0

Sounds like it.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:38

0

Shit, did something get in the oil or did it spit some out and run low?

StingrayJake > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:39

0

That's unfortunate. Is it possible to flush the engine and get any dirt, etc. that's in there out?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:40

1

I forgot the cap on my civic once... I would have never noticed except on my first right turn I heard a thud then saw something bouncing on the road behind me (my cap). I've almost killed a few engines now...

Deepest sympathies

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:40

0

Do you have access to a shop with a lift?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 10/17/2014 at 17:40

0

Or any way to get the engine out of the car?

ly2v8-Brian > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:42

1

no good.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:48

0

THERE IS NO GOD

There go all of the entertaining future Corvette conversations and arguments we could've had. I'm so sorry.

MultiplaOrgasms > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:49

0

I did the same during my internship at a Volvo shop. Several gallons of brake cleaner and some fresh oil later it was back on the road running like a champ again. Which leaves me with the question: Exactly how much oil did you lose before finding out?

davedave1111 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:51

1

Think of it as an oppo-tunity. It's Tdi Time, baby...

lonestranger > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 17:52

5

Whoa whoa whoa, back up. How much oil could you have lost out of the open cap? Literally, how low was it on the dipstick? Even if you lost a litre and ran it like that for a few hours, it shouldn't "knock a bit" and "feel like it's way down on compression". My feeling is that there is another, simpler problem such as timing out of whack or a fouled plug.

crowmolly > lonestranger 10/17/2014 at 17:56

2

I agree, it really sounds like something else. If it sloshed out the underhood area would probably be a mess.

Maybe a vacuum line or something?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > lonestranger 10/17/2014 at 18:01

0

The oil filler cap is actually in the cylinder head, though.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > HammerheadFistpunch 10/17/2014 at 18:01

0

Yeah, cap is in the cylinder head.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > PS9 10/17/2014 at 18:02

0

The cap is actually in the cylinder head, so in this case yes.

lonestranger > crowmolly 10/17/2014 at 18:03

2

Yeah, something like that. Or if he hosed the oil off of the engine bay, and now the distributor's moist.

Sleep on it for a few days and come at it with a fresh perspective, or get a second opinion before condemning it to a full rebuild.

DipodomysDeserti > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:03

0

If you ran it low enough to cause damage, I would think the symptoms would be more obvious. You might just be freaked out and noticing things you didn't notice before. Only way to tell if its down on compression is to do a compression test.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:06

0

Fuck. So sorry to hear dude :(

jariten1781 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:12

0

You probably just flipped out the FI system by having a massive vacuum leak. I betcha everything is a'ight. I've never seen an oil cap kill an engine and I've seen a number left off.

Manuél Ferrari > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:23

1

;(

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > DipodomysDeserti 10/17/2014 at 18:29

0

Yeah, it just feels like there's no compression so that's what I'm planning. On doing.

lonestranger > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:35

1

What does that have to do with it?

Besides, I've never seen any engine with the oil filler cap in the cylinder head, and definitely not on a small-block Chevy. It's in the valve cover.

crowmolly > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:36

0

What? Got a pic of that? Seems like a first to me.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:37

0

This is the absolute worst kind of news. 350 blocks are cheap and plentiful, but that doesn't mean it isn't a big job to do.

shop-teacher > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:45

1

That. Fucking. Sucks.

The way I see it, you've just gotta view it as an opportunity. You can either save up for a new short block (last I checked, a new GMPP 350 short block was about $1700-1800). Or, you could save longer, and go for an LS swap. Either way, your Vette will emerge stronger than ever!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > crowmolly 10/17/2014 at 18:49

0

Well, it's the cylinder head cover, and the valve springs and everything are underneath...

sortofindian > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 18:52

0

Low oil can't cause low compression. It can make bearings knock and seize though

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > lonestranger 10/17/2014 at 18:53

0

I meant to say valve cover with the cylinder head components right there . But the point still stands—there would be tons of oil coming out of there not to mention that my car burns lots of oil

DipodomysDeserti > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 19:07

0

If the compression is low, it would have a hard time starting.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > DipodomysDeserti 10/17/2014 at 19:18

0

It does, burns a ton of oil and takes a couple seconds.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > lonestranger 10/17/2014 at 19:21

0

It was days, although those were my first assumptions. It just feels like something's seriously wrong.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > HammerheadFistpunch 10/17/2014 at 19:23

0

Cylinder head cover*

crowmolly > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 19:24

0

Well, that part of the engine is not under pressure so I don't know how much you would lose.

Can you post a pic? Don't climb out on the ledge just yet. I have a feeling it's something else.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > PS9 10/17/2014 at 19:25

0

If you run it out of oil, it'll seize.

PS9 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/17/2014 at 19:44

0

I don't get how all of the oil could escape from here. The plug on the bottom of the pan, sure. But the cap?

BrianNutter > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 19:49

1

There is a chance the rod bearings arent toast. The valves will typically start to clatter first. How long did u have things going south? You can cut the oil filter apart with a hacksaw and check for bearing material in the pleats. You can email me at bnutter@wiseco.com and i can walk you through this over the phone.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > PS9 10/17/2014 at 19:53

0

Well, if he ran it, then a lot of the oil could be pumped out

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > crowmolly 10/17/2014 at 19:59

0

That's true. I'm hoping it's some crazy coincidence, because in the morning I didn't think that would be the problem but now I'm a bit concerned. I'll send a pic when I get home, thanks for the help.

jkm7680 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 21:31

0

Ach, Sorry to hear it man.

What will you be driving in the meantime?

Axial > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 21:43

0

Sad. Face. :c

I got nothin'.

Agrajag > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 21:43

0

Incredibly sorry to hear that.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 10/17/2014 at 22:16

0

No, but I'm going to take it to a mechanic to see if it's an incredible coincidence just in case.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/17/2014 at 22:18

0

That's what I think happened. Although there's little evidence of spillage, which makes me a bit curious...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > MultiplaOrgasms 10/17/2014 at 22:19

0

Ah, it's driving but not well. When I started draining the old oil, it didn't take as long as it should, but I expected a recovery.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > jariten1781 10/17/2014 at 22:20

0

Hm, that seems like a possibility. I'm going to check that out, since I had a MAF problem a while back (strangely, only for one part of my commute).

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 10/17/2014 at 22:22

0

Haha I'm still hoping that there's something else involved but if so...

No more conversations/arguments (sobs)

I should park it next to the road and do the wave to passing corvettes!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/17/2014 at 22:23

0

This is true. Not like it's a Saab engine at least!

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:23

1

"I STILL EXIST WAVE AT ME PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE ME"

-you crying and yelling at the same time

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > davedave1111 10/17/2014 at 22:24

1

Wait... Are you suggesting diesel FWD corvette? If so, I must do that

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BrianNutter 10/17/2014 at 22:27

0

Thanks, will do! I appreciate the help, there seemed to be a bit of clatter from the engine bay every once in a while but it was from crappy alternator internals IIRC. It was never perfect but was a solid 130k engine.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > mr2gud2u 10/17/2014 at 22:28

0

Thanks. I'm trying to figure out if this is a coincidence or not right now, hopefully is a separate and simple issue.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 10/17/2014 at 22:29

1

Thanks, man. Hopefully it's partly a fixable issue but that's a job for tomorrow.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Agrajag 10/17/2014 at 22:31

1

I appreciate it, hopefully there's a simple issue contributing to the problem. I'm just frustrated at myself at this point.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 10/17/2014 at 22:33

0

It sounds like a tractor, but the heritage is still there!

(Yell sobbing)

Pretentious C2 owner...

(Muttering to self)

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:35

2

*C4 sees you on side of road, immediately pulls over to help you*

*finds out situation you're in*

*cries with you*

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 10/17/2014 at 22:38

0

"I have this thing that says LS7 in my garage if you would put it in your car."

Wait... yesterday, a guy at a gas station told me to never change anything about my car and I said I wouldn't and I'd be breaking the promise. So no LS7 for me. I also decide to nail it and lay down some rubber pulling out from a stop into fast traffic in front of a tailgating minivan, probably not the best thing for open oil caps...

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:40

0

I'd be like "fuck that guy LS7 pls"

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 10/17/2014 at 22:42

0

He was driving a smart car. But he said he owned a Bentley and 993. You have to respect that guy's wishes.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > StingrayJake 10/17/2014 at 22:47

0

It seems to me that the oil starvation has kind of screwed up the internals if that's what the problem it. I opened it up a couple of times and it seems that it's just one of those metal hitting against metal things.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:48

1

If it were a 900, you'd be fuuuuuucked. Biggest obstacle in pulling your engine is probably where to put the engine puller...long nose on the C4.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Axial 10/17/2014 at 22:51

0

I have to say, I saw myself monumentally screwing up a car at some point. I just hoped it would be a little while later. And not over something this moronic.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:51

0

I could be that guy that's driving a Fiesta, but also has an M600 and 275 GTB.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > jkm7680 10/17/2014 at 22:52

0

Thanks man, probably public transportation/my dad's Sebring if I can't find a simple solution to the L98 woes...

jkm7680 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 22:55

0

Damn, I hope you find a solution soon! Really sorry to hear it though.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 10/17/2014 at 22:57

0

Haha you mean BatteryTenderUnnecessary?

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 23:13

0

LOL LITERALLY

StingrayJake > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/17/2014 at 23:35

1

RIP :(

JGrabowMSt > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 01:03

1

I did this to my Neon once. The PCV valve was so bad, it actually stopped burning oil and didn't make much of a mess at all at the time. Oddly enough, I would have sworn that it was running better at the time.

Regardless, the cap had just fallen down to the intake, and didn't get completely lost. I felt rather embarrassed at the time.....

Since then, new PCV valve, and no oil burning. Have you thought about replacing yours if you have one?

Steve in Manhattan > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 01:11

0

Do a Kickstarter for a rebuild - I'm in for 20 bucks!

BrianNutter > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 09:50

0

when an engine runs out of oil the rockets burn up and may be the source of the bad running rod bearings go next so theres a chance its ok if you dont hear a gutteral rod knock especially on startup. '86 and newer were roller lifters if i remember right. Id cut the filter first and pull a valve cover second to look for blued rockers. After that u could pull the pan and look for blued rod caps, but really the filter pleats will show you that.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BrianNutter 10/18/2014 at 09:59

0

Ok, I'll try to do that today then. I have an '85, so no roller lifters but it is '86 and up. No rod knock, which is a good sign.

BrianNutter > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 10:05

0

cool, well hopefully u took out a cam lobe and u can stick a little cam in it while u r at it. :)

Tohru > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 11:02

0

Valve cover*

Tohru > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 11:07

1

It's a small-block Chevy. It will be fine.

At the salvage yard, we had a dealer bring us their Cash for Clunkers cars. One of them was a '94 Chevy truck with the 350. We drained out all the oil, put in a quart of that nasty liquid glass shit they were using to ruin the engines, and started it up.

It ran for five minutes. Every time it would start running rough, the computer would kick in and compensate it out. It finally hit the limits of what the computer could take care of and stalled. It would still spin over, it just wouldn't start.

To contrast that, another C4C vehicle was a '98 Windstar. It lasted 10 seconds and seized solid. The '91 Wrangler made it 40 seconds, locked solid. The '93 Intrepid made it 30.

DipodomysDeserti > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 13:24

0

Damn, you probably cracked a piston or an oil control ring.

cayman2007 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 14:31

0

How can you step in shit twice? Did you park it in a dogrun?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > cayman2007 10/18/2014 at 21:09

0

I'd just gotten out of the car when I took two steps and land in two separate piles with both feet. They were covered up by leaves.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > DipodomysDeserti 10/18/2014 at 21:11

0

Yeah, I fear it's something like that but my car came with forged pistons from the factory and it would be really hard to crack one of those. I'm hoping it's something a bit less serious...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Tohru 10/18/2014 at 21:14

1

I mean, it's about as durable an engine as they come; forged pistons, iron heads, simple and rugged design. I thought such extreme damage would be impossible but I still have yet to find out if it's really bad or not.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Tohru 10/18/2014 at 21:15

1

I don't know why I kept calling it cylinder head cover. I always saw people writing that instead of valve cover as a new owner and assumed it was a pushrod thing in my idiocy.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BrianNutter 10/18/2014 at 21:17

0

Sounds like a good plan. It already had a mild cam when I bought it, though. What's the main difference in design between traditional and roller cams?

DipodomysDeserti > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 21:20

0

Probably just a ring then. Much cheaper than a piston

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > jkm7680 10/18/2014 at 21:20

1

Thanks. I'm hoping the problem won't necessitate pulling the engine out, but there's a good chance it will. At least it was a really worn engine...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > JGrabowMSt 10/18/2014 at 21:22

0

Hm, that's something else to consider. Thanks!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Steve in Manhattan 10/18/2014 at 21:24

0

Damn, I would probably make a religion about you if you did such a kindness. But I'm really hoping I don't need a rebuil... Kickstarter ;)

Tohru > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/18/2014 at 21:29

0

Even if it runs like crap, it's still a SBC - it'll run like a bag of crap longer than regular engines will run at all.