Lack of oil and coolant

brtnstrns

Member
Dec 19, 2003
606
11
19
Lewisville, TX
I just checked my oil and it was very low. I also went ahead and checked my coolant and the reservoir was completely empty.

When I got the car there was oil all over the bottom of the engine and I thought I fixed it by replacing the oil filter adapter gasket...apparently not. I don't see any new oil deposits on the bottom of my block when I looked over it real quickly with a flashlight. I'll take a better look tomorrow.

I've replaced the water pump within the past year so that eliminates the coolant leak coming from the weep hole.

Any idea on what else I should look at for possible sources of either of these annoying issues?

Thanks
 
Does the car smoke or run hot?

Is the oil that is in the crankcase clean, or does it look milky, thick, slimy, or watered down?

When you put coolant back in the reservoir, check after the engine has ran/warmed up for any oil contamination. Also, look in the reservoir before adding coolant to see if there's any oil contamination.

How low was it on the dipstick?


The oil filter housing isn't an uncommon place to leak, but if you're really THAT far down, chances are you'd notice a puddle under the car.

Possibility you have a popped head gasket and the oil and coolant are being burned off in the engine.
 
How long have you had it and what kind of cars are you used to???

I came from f-bodies... With the exception of my fully built 383 LT1 94 Formula(GOD I miss that car) they all took 5 qts of oil... 1st thing I did a week ago after getting my stang I checked on here to see how much oil was needed...

Did you only put 5 qts in it???:shrug:
 
Does the car smoke or run hot?

Is the oil that is in the crankcase clean, or does it look milky, thick, slimy, or watered down?

When you put coolant back in the reservoir, check after the engine has ran/warmed up for any oil contamination. Also, look in the reservoir before adding coolant to see if there's any oil contamination.

How low was it on the dipstick?


The oil filter housing isn't an uncommon place to leak, but if you're really THAT far down, chances are you'd notice a puddle under the car.

Possibility you have a popped head gasket and the oil and coolant are being burned off in the engine.

The car does not smoke and the temp gauge has shown normal temperature.

No milky look to the oil, but it was right at the "MIN" marker on the stick.

No sign of oil residue in the coolant reservoir.

I live in an apartment so I don't always park in the same spot. I'm going to put some cardboard underneath the car to see if I can determine where its coming from.
 
Did you check in when it was stone cold and level?

When was your last oil change? If it was at or above minimum level you are fine, if it was below, time to add a half or so a quart of oil.

As long as your coolant light wasn't on you are fine, the coolant could still be within the motor...

Don't worry, I've gone some oil changes with only draining 3 quarts out plus the filter which can hold up to a quart or so. It could be the driveway and way I jack it up not allowing all of the oil to drain but whatever. Oil always looks good and is always changed on time.

I have a small oil leak that pools on the bottom of the front sway bar, it actually is more of a seep than anything else. I burn maybe a quart every 3k miles and that's with a Vortech. Sounds just like it hasn't all drained back into the pan.