What are the Possible Engine Problems After Oil Change?

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An oil change is a necessity, if you ignore it, not so long after the oil change due date, you’d be in the market for a new engine. Yes, not changing the oil in your engine when due can lead to a fatal engine breakdown. But that’s one thing!

Even if you’re regular with changing your engine oil, it is still possible to experience engine problems after an oil change. Now, you may begin to wonder, what could have caused the problem since you’ve already gone for an oil change.

But what are the possible engine problems after oil change? That is what we’ll be talking about in this article.

It’s simple, maybe the problem was not oil-related, but it’s good you changed the oils so you can troubleshoot other possible causes.

What are the Possible Engine Problems After Oil Change?

Apparently, the type of oil you used for your car is what determines how the engine would perform. If you use the wrong oil for your engine, most likely, you’d experience several engine problems after the oil change.

Modern cars are now equipped with advanced, computerized systems that are very sensitive to changes in your engine.

Hence, when you use an oil that’s not suitable for your engine, your car’s central computer can detect that and send warning signals to other components.

This can cause your car to malfunction even though you just got your oil changed. More so, oil spilled on the surrounding components when it’s being poured into the engine could heat up when you drive; thus, causing you to perceive a “burning smell” as you drive.

Below are other possible problems you may encounter with your car after changing the engine oil.

Related Post: Can I Use 10w30 Instead Of 5w30?

1. You Filled The Wrong Oil

All automakers do well to indicate the type of motor oil to be used on their various car models. Mainly, for newer models, 5w20 or 5w30 is specified. If your car is meant to use 5w30, which is fully synthetic oil, refilling conventional oils may cause engine problems.

Similarly, if you use heavier oil for your vehicle, it could cause you to experience unusual signs as you drive. For example, if you use 10w40 on an engine specified for 5w20, you’d surely notice that your engine won’t function well as it used to.

How to fix this: Used the recommended oil for your engine. If you want to try a new oil, make sure the new oil meets the viscosity specifications for your engine.

2. Bad or Clogged Oil Filter

The oil filter is one of the commonly ignored components of a vehicle; however, it is a very important component. It is advisable to change your oil filter at certain intervals.

For example, if you change the oil filter on your next oil change, on the next oil change, you could still use the same filter, but, on the third one, you really should change the filter again.

A bad or clogged oil filter can cause your engine to malfunction even though you just did an oil change. This happens because the clogged/blocked filter is not allowing sufficient oil to flow into the engine.

Hence, the engine is being starved of the oil you just refilled, and that could be the cause of the problems you’re facing. Oil filters are inexpensive, some people even change their filters at every oil change.

3. Something Else Got Spoilt

Probably, some other component is spoilt; so, the problem is not actually due to the oil change. There are many components connected to an auto engine, and when one of them fails, the engine is liable to exhibit different unusual symptoms.

The components to check when your engine starts malfunctioning (and you just refilled new oil) include the carburetor or injectors, fuel pump & filter, and the hoses that run through your engine.

If you detected any other issue, that could be the cause of the engine problems you’re facing – it’s not the oil change.

Related Also: Can You Mix 5w30 And 10w40 Oil?

Why Is My Car Acting Weird After Oil Change?

The issues mentioned above could be the cause of the weird performance of your car. It’s either you refilled the wrong oil or your oil filter is bad.

It is also important to note that your car could be acting weird as a result of another issue, not necessarily because of the oil change.

Why Is My Car Engine Seized After Oil Change?

There are certain mistakes people do when they go for an oil change, which includes under filling or overfilling the oil. When you under/overfill oil in your engine, it could cause a seizure.

That said, one of the most feasible reasons why your engine seems seized after an oil change is because you either adding too little oil or you added excessive quantity.

What More?

The engine problems after an oil change are typically due to common mistakes most drivers neglect. This can include a bad filter, using the wrong oil, and not attending to oil leak spots earlier.