Oil & Fuel BX 2360 run with no oil.....

[csr0831]

HI Folks......Ok...I feel like a REAL idiot here. I was changing the oil in my BX and my Gravely Saturday. Finished the Gravely and put it away. Went back to the BX to start it and move it to level ground so I could check the oil. Started it....the oil light did not go out and from the sound of the engine you could tell it had not picked up pressure yet. Revved it up to maybe 200rpm a couple of times really quick, just up and down to se iff the pump would pick up oil. Light was still on. so I drive it to level ground slowly. Total run time was maybe....a minute....or a minute thirty. Cut it off and then I remembered I never put the **** plug back in....grrrrrrrrrrr. I was on the grass so I never heard it coming back out like I would have if I have been on concrete. After hurling profanities at myself for the next 30 minutes I went and got more oil, PUT THE PLUG BACK IN, and filled it to the proper level. The motor started and picked up pressure with in a second or two. No unusual sounds and I drive it about 300 feet to the shed and parked it. The question is, how likely is it that I caused any significant damage? My feeling is that it's probably fine, but I thought I would ask those that are more knowledgeable then I about it. Thanks everyone!

 

[oosik]

For that short a period of time - I doubt any damage was done. It didn't get that hot and for that short period of time had adequate lube in the critical areas.

However - I wouldn't recommend this as a normal procedure.

 

[csr0831]

For that short a period of time - I doubt any damage was done. It didn't get that hot and for that short period of time had adequate lube in the critical areas.

However - I wouldn't recommend this as a normal procedure.

Thanks' for taking the time to respond.....no, it wont happen to me again.......not a crime to be stupid, but it sure can be inconvenient.......

 

[Ortimber]

As long as the bearings held a little oil, you might be OK. It’s probable that you may have shortened the life of the engine, but no way to tell without looking at the bottom end.

Hope everything works out.

 

[George the Beagle]

I'd say as long as the engine didn't start making bad sounds, you're probably ok. Having said that, when the oil light comes on, shut it down!!!!!!! Someone on another forum just did the same thing, ran it for two minutes after the oil light came on and probably ruined the engine. Seems to be a run on this type of thing lately. Nevertheless, I think you should be ok. Best of luck!!

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If I take the engine oil plug out, the key comes out of the ignition switch and they are next to each other on the floorboard.

David

 

[csr0831]

All excellent comments guys and very much appreciated. I have learned my lesion! The thing that really REALLY pisses me off is that I am normally so **** careful about that kind of thing. @#)$((#@#_)

 

[dodge man]

Several years ago we had a Chrysler 300M that I put the drain plug back in but didn't add any oil. It probably ran for about 20 seconds though, I caught it right away. Also did a lot of work on a car once and forgot to put anti freeze or water in it. It happens to the best of us.

What did it do to your engine? It sure didn't help it any. If you said a minute or less I'd say it did no damage it all, but when you said for a minute or more and you upped the rpm's, it probably did some damage to the bearings. How much who knows without a tear down but I wouldn't do anything about it. If it starts having problems you will know why but my guess is it will be fine unless you get thousands of hours on it.

 

[skipperbrown]

Probably didn't hurt it at all. There was no load on the engine. Just don't do it every time you change the oil!

 

[deathtoblackberries]

Old Ford pickup with a straight 6, my brother and his pal ran it all over town doing one wheel burn outs with no oil it in and it refused to stop running they eventually gave up trying to blow the motor, teenagers.

 

[csr0831]

Appreciate all the input folks. I am painfully aware of how important it is to have oil pressure it is in a running engine...I think the fact that I am aware of it is what makes me so made at myself. Does anyone know of this engine has pin or roller bearings in the journal end of the rods or are they sleeve bearing. I would feel a bit better about it if they are the former.........

 

[TMGT]

They use plain bearings, no rollers.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

If I take the engine oil plug out, the key comes out of the ignition switch and they are next to each other on the floorboard.

David

This ^ and if I absolutely can't finish the service in one whack, blue tape over the key switch labeled "NO OIL!!!". Same with the boat motors and gearcases.

Z.

 

[Ortimber]

No roller bearings.

The oil is the bearing in most engines. There is very little/no metal to metal contact as long as there is oil pressure. No oil= crank and rods get, well.......cranky.

 

[RalphVa]

HI Folks......Ok...I feel like a REAL idiot here. I was changing the oil in my BX and my Gravely Saturday. Finished the Gravely and put it away. Went back to the BX to start it and move it to level ground so I could check the oil. Started it....the oil light did not go out and from the sound of the engine you could tell it had not picked up pressure yet. Revved it up to maybe 200rpm a couple of times really quick, just up and down to se iff the pump would pick up oil. Light was still on. so I drive it to level ground slowly. Total run time was maybe....a minute....or a minute thirty. Cut it off and then I remembered I never put the **** plug back in....grrrrrrrrrrr. I was on the grass so I never heard it coming back out like I would have if I have been on concrete. After hurling profanities at myself for the next 30 minutes I went and got more oil, PUT THE PLUG BACK IN, and filled it to the proper level. The motor started and picked up pressure with in a second or two. No unusual sounds and I drive it about 300 feet to the shed and parked it. The question is, how likely is it that I caused any significant damage? My feeling is that it's probably fine, but I thought I would ask those that are more knowledgeable then I about it. Thanks everyone!

You're probably okay.

Just don't do what my Dad did once. Our HS principal came in with his Olds to our service station for an oil change. He came back later, paid and drove out. Within about 10 minutes, he was back. The engine's hydraulic valve lifters were all banging away!

Dad never drained out the old oil: just put new oil on top the old and forgot to check the dip stick.

The crankshaft obviously churned up the oil and made lots of foam, which then got pumped into the hydraulic lifters. They didn't work so well.

Ralph

 

[csr0831]

I went out a little earlier this evening and started it. Sounds just the same. oil light when out immediately. I went to a dirt pile and lifted a few scoops (put a little load on it). Sounds and acts the same. Of course that doesn't say anything about the long term effects. Everyone seems concerned about the bottom of the engine...what about the possibility of scoring the cylinder walls....any worries there?

The reason I asked about the roller bearings is that many "consistent load" engines (marine engines for example), have roller bearings. I really didn't think this engine had them, but there is always hope. : )

Again, thanks to everyone for taking the time and effort to respond!

 

[walker450]

If it was mine, I would change the oil and filter again after a couple of hours of use... may be overkill, but would give me a little more peace of mind.

Also, the new BX 80 series sure look nice.

Old Ford pickup with a straight 6, my brother and his pal ran it all over town doing one wheel burn outs with no oil it in and it refused to stop running they eventually gave up trying to blow the motor, teenagers.

:laughing:

 

[Dwellonroof]

When I was a boy someone selling Slick 50 had a tractor drained of oil and idling.

 

[csr0831]

Thanks Walker.......my wife is going to appreciate you making me go out and buy an 80. :laughing: Actually, I had thought about running it a bit and changing it again. The machine has only got 120 hours on it to begin with and I've taken good care of it (until now obviously). Hopefully I got away relatively unscathed. I am going to implement the suggestions made by some others about taking the key and the plug and laying them on the floor board together and if I have to leave it can come back later I'll probably tape the ignition......may be overkill to do both, but better safe the sorry.

I am sure an engine will run without oil...for a while. I remember those Slick 50 commercials and you'll notice oils and additives don't make those claims anymore...........

 

[milkman]

To eliminate any worry, how about draining a little oil and send it to a lab to see if there's any metal in it. AN oil analysis would let you know if any metal was scrubbed off the bearings or piston skirts. Just a suggestion if it keeps bothering you.