While driving the oil filter fell off, all the oil pumped out, the engine locked up?

Tiny
JUSTOUTOFTIME
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,500,000 MILES
Is it possible that an oil filter worked its way off? I pulled over, got under the motor and found the oil filter sitting on frame of the truck. The auto repair that serviced the truck (changed the oil and filter) they said they did anyway. I called the auto repair shop that worked on it to tell them what happened. Said that it wasn't their fault that happened and wouldn't honor their work.
So, I had a friend tow it home in neutral and let it sit for a year. Not wanting to put a new motor in it thinking I could maybe save it I took out all the spark plugs and sprayed PBR in all the cylinders and let it sit for a couple days. My next question is, is there a turn off switch on that truck that if the oil gets too low it would shut down the motor to keep it from locking up? I have heard from people that there is but I doubt that.
What are your thoughts?
Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 10:04 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,122 POSTS
Hello, sorry to hear the bad news, there is an oil pressure switch but that would not prevent the engine from locking up in your situation. I think the garage that did the oil change is absolutely responsible for something like that. That is a case of someone rushing through an oil change and not taking the time to check if everything was ready for the engine to be started. It would be the same if I forgot to put oil in the engine and started it. I've seen that happen because the mechanic was trying to look good and fast. Shops have insurance for things like that. Although now it has been a year, I don't know how that would work. But that's a big deal. Even a used engine is very expensive.
As for trying to recover the engine, if it won't turn over by hand, (putting a socket and bar on the crankshaft bolt) most likely the bearings for the crank and camshafts are burned up. The oil pump would pump that oil out so fast, it's a sad situation when a shop won't take responsibility for their mistake. With the spark plugs out the engine should turn over very easily by hand. I'll post some pictures of what happens with no oil pressure if I can find some. But I'm very sorry to hear about this.
The engine life would be greatly shortened if you did manage to get it started. I think you'll have to do some research on what action can be taken at this point, considering the time that has gone by.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/high-or-low-engine-oil-pressure
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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
JUSTOUTOFTIME
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Thanks for your reply, I also think they should have replaced the motor cause the oil filters just don't fall off like that. So, someone told me to fill up cylinders with 2 cycle gas and let it sit for a few days and try and turn the motor by hand. So, I did and the motor turned a little going at it slowly. I'm letting it sit again and will go back and see if I can turn it a little more. Will keep you posted.
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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,122 POSTS
Well, that's better than being completely locked up, I do hope you can get it moving. Oil additives may help too. It really depends on how fast the engine shut down during the pressure loss. If you get it to turn over, you'll need to do a few oil changes with filters to remove any particles that may be in the oil pan or oil passages.
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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 11:48 AM

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