So I don't check the oil very often, I bought a '67 jag 420 and its kinda been my daily driver for the last 2 months. I had to drive about 20 miles this morning so I took the xk8. I drove there fine, periodically looking at the gas gauge, noting that the water temp is normal as always (its always at 50% when hot).

When I got to LA I parked and did my shopping. When I came back to start the car, it would start, rumble gently (below normal idle) then cut out. I attempted to start it 4 times. I checked the oil and it was bone dry on the dipstick. I opened the oil cap, and a little faint bit of steam/smoke came out. It took 2.5 quarts to get the oil back to max on the dipstick.

[Edit: then the car started and drove completely normal]

My question is: Does the car detect low oil on startup and shut off to protect it? If that is the case, I might be ok...

If the car was not shutting off because of "system check" then it would indicate the stall was due to mechanical resistance

 

AFAIK, the engine will not automatically shut down due to low oil.

First think you should do is find your oil leak.

Last year, when I had my car in for a bumper repaint, the body shop bottomed out the oil cooler and ruprured it, and ran the car with oil below the dipstick level....how far and for how long I did not know.

For piece of mind (and determination of their potential liability) I did two things:

1. Bought a oil filter can opener (about $35) at JEGS.com and inspected the oil filter for visible metal particulate.

2. Ran the car for a few miles with the mixture of old and new oil. Then sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs for an oil analysis (about $25) and explained what happened to them.

Luckily all was well.

 

The ECM shut the engine down for protection.
Let that be a lesson, could have been a lot worse.
Bob

 

PS ECM senses pressure not quantity of oil

 

Which sensor does it use? The oil pressure sender at the filter mount?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Im glad to hear it was the engine management computer and not actual failure

p.s. other than a slight coolant leak I don't have any leaks showing up in the driveway

 

Plums,
Yes the one facing the radiator

 

Thanks, guess that means it has to stay whether or not an aftermarket instrument is installed.

 

Plums,
No, I made a tee for checking O/P while engine running. PM me if you want more details
Bob

 

I ran out of oil on a Chevy Lumina about 20 years ago. It made a horrible screeching sound and then ground to a halt. Then it wouldn't even turn over. Once an engine gets to the point where a lack of oil is doing damage, the catastrophic breakdown happens very quickly. That's why you should stop right away if you get an oil pressure light. I doubt you did any damage if the engine was running fine with no warning signs when you shut off the car.

 

Now I wish I had read the oil carton's label better. I bought one that said "synthetic blend" not noticing the blend part... Im now running on 2.5 quarts blend and the rest is full synthetic

I guess I have to go buy 8 new quarts of the expensive stuff

 

It has to be going somewhere, that much oil consumption (no leak) in a normal oil change cycle is too great to chalk it up to a sacrifice.

There are a few spots that are most frequent, at the rear by the transmission bell housing IIRC, my oil filter actually leaked once at the seal...weirdest thing ever, but nonetheless, it can happen, and finally, the oil line beneath the radiator will spring a leak too...not easily seen either if you're not looking for it. Give it a good going over, for our peace of mind, if not hing else.

 

That thing about always having to use synthetic after you use once is false. There's no problem with switching back and forth. However, synthetic isn't that expensive. Walmart sells Castrol Syntec and Mobile One for about $22 for a 5 quart jug.