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How long can an engine run without oil before damage? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
Some engines can run for up to 30 minutes without oil, but this is us being very generous with time, as a lot of damage can already be done in less than 5 minutes.
I know it is always advised to ask every question, but you are already wrong for asking this as no engine should be put through the stress of running without oil lubrication considering the vital roles it plays in every engine.
Roles of Oil in a Car Engine
Oil plays several roles in the life of any engine. When we talk about oil, our mind goes straight to lubrication. It functions in many other capacities that do not include lubrication. These functions include but are not limited to;
- Inhibition of rust and corrosion: As a lubricant, it helps prevent or minimize internal component corrosion. It does this by either neutralizing the corrosive products or, in most cases, by simply being a barrier between the component and the corrosive element.
- Serves as a coolant: This is one of the essential functions of engine oil. It cools the moving parts and the upper engine. This coolant feature prevents energy loss and protects the engine from deterioration. The coolant also prevents the engine from getting too cold and freezing up.
- Acts as a gap filler: Engine oils fill the rough or not very smooth space between the cylinder and piston. This goes a long way in improving the efficiency and performance of the engine.
- Acts as a filter: Engine oils are mainly made up of detergents that remove impurities from the oil and helps keep the running parts clean.
These detergents prevent corrosion of the metal surfaces. Engine oils also contain dispersants that bond to carbon deposits and other impurities and debris, keeping them away from the motor. This keeps the engine safe and protects it from unnecessary wear and tear.
We have seen the roles engine oil plays in the life of every machine and how important it is to ensure that your engines have oil at every point in time. Let us now look more in-depth at how long an engine can run without oil.
- Read Also: How Often Should You Change Oil Filter?
How Long Can an Engine Run Without Oil Before Damage?
As stated earlier, it may take up to 30 minutes for an engine without oil to go up in flames, but that doesn’t mean that no significant damage would have occurred between that time.
In the roles oil plays in an engine discussed above, we saw that it functions in different capacities as a coating to prevent friction between metal components.
Without this coating, metal components quickly heat up, shedding tiny particles and other important fragments as they get damaged.
These fragments cause further damage and degradation of the engine as they scratch and scrape between the moving parts of the engine. This will eventually lead to the degradation to the point of failure of a component within the engine.
How soon this failure will occur largely depends on how much care you give the engine on a regular basis, but keep in mind that all engines will eventually get damaged if run without oil.
What Causes Oil Deficiency In A Car Engine?
As hinted in the introduction of this article, damaged hoses and oil plugs can lead to oil deficiency. When oil is poured into the engine, it flows through hoses to various components that require lubrication.
Thus, when the medium through which oil circulates the engine is damaged (leaky), there’s the possibility of facing oil deficiency. Sadly, there’s no automatic way to detect oil deficiency except for the check engine light that may illuminate on your dashboard.
Also, when you begin to hear usually sounds like metals grinding against each other, that’s a sign that your engine is lacking oil.
Why Is Steaming a Car Important?
It is crucial to ensure that you mind the period between the moment of ignition and the time the car is moved. This is to ensure that all the moving parts are fully coated before you move.
This short period can result in contacts between unprotected components, and studies have shown that up to 65% of all engine wear happens within this time. So, make sure to wait for about a minute or two after ignition before you set off.
Experiments have shown that some car engine may take longer than others to knock when used without oil. But I am sure you don’t want to carry out that experiment with your car as most cars destined for the junkyard has been used for such investigations.
That been said, be sure always to have your cars checked to ensure your vehicle doesn’t have a leak and to determine the viscosity of the oil in the oil tank.
Contrary to popular opinion, it is the viscosity of the oil and not the oil itself that that lubricates the engine. Running your engine with low viscosity oil is as good as having no oil in the car and can as well result in grave damage.
The viscosity of oil breaks down due to heat, friction, wear and tear. This is why a frequent oil change is advised to replace the consistency, especially for engines that are always in use.
Oil and oil filters should be changed at the recommended mileage. Every car has the number of miles it should run before it requires an oil change. Check your car user manual or talk to your mechanic or dealership for proper guidance.
Conclusion
How long an engine can run without oil before damage is relative, but what I can guarantee is that no engine can run for more than 30 minutes before it packs up.