After having the oil changed and driving home I discovered the oil filter was loose, engine will not start

JENNIFER-REEVES

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA
3.4L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I drove my car after having an oil change done professionally I drove it from the oil change place home and moved it the next morning found out my oil filter hadn't been tightened properly and all the oil came out. I started it it shut off and hasn't started again since. Makes a single click noise when trying to start it. Did it lock up my engine?

7 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

If there is no oil in the engine and you try to start it, it can get seized.
Have you contacted the oil change place?
As it is their responsibility to get this take care of for you.
Typically shops have insurance coverage for this types of mishaps.

When an engine is seized it could do severe damage to the internals and many times the engine might need to be rebuilt.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-engine-works

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 8:17 AM

JENNIFER-REEVES

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4 POSTS

Does my car have an oil shut off switch by chance? When we noticed the issue yes we contacted the shop and was given the run around of he would meet with my husband and take it back to the shop, but never would show up when we figured out what the problem was. The oil was barley registered on the dipstick.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 8:49 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

It does have a oil pressure sensor, which could trigger the no start due to not sensing oil pressure. It will send a signal to the computer of no pressure and the computer will not allow the engine to start.
The biggest issue is when an engine gets started with no or very low oil the internal friction of the engine components will create hot spots and could lead to severe damage. And you won't know what the damage is unless the engine gets taken apart.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 8:59 AM

JENNIFER-REEVES

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, would the oil pressure sensor reset itself once oil was put in it or does that have to be done manually?

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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 9:15 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

It will depend on the error code that got generated by the sensor. Might have to clear the code before trying to start it again, after you add oil.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Just keep in mind there could be internal damages due to the start with no/low oil.
And if the engine is seized it will not start regardless of the sensor.