I realize this thread is a month old, but this might be a good place to post my question. The car in question is a '99 Civic with 210k miles.

It burns/leaks a bit of oil and my son ran it super low and it sounded like one of the rod bearings went out (however the oil light didn't come on). He then added one quart that he had with him and drove it about 15 miles to a parts store and proceeded to add another 5 full quarts and brought it home. I know how many bad things were done, but it was a learning experience for him.

I have since drained it, pulled the pan and changed the bearings on the one connecting rod that was super loose. The other 3 seemed fine. Replaced the oil pan gasket, buttoned it back up and filled it with 4.5 quarts of oil.

It starts right up and the oil light only comes on until the engine starts and then goes off. However.... I don't think oil is flowing. When I look into the valve cover I don't see any oil flowing. I'm going to go get a oil pressure gauge to see what, if any, pressure it really has.

Here's my question. Since I think he totally ran it down on oil, would the pump have to be primed? Or most likely the pump is shot? If the oil light only comes on until it's started, could the pressure gauge be shot also?

Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
~Steve

 

Normal

Did you replace the oil filter?

 

I did not replace the oil filter. I'll change that out today and pick up an oil pressure gauge.

 

I replaced the oil filter and hooked up the oil pressure gauge. It's getting 75 psi and when I take off the oil fill cap, I can now see oil flinging around.

On to the next problem. When it warms up, the idle goes real low and will even shut down if you don't keep your foot on the gas. More issues to resolve.

 

reset and learn idle.

 

D16Y8 engine?

Clean the IACV.