Given the debate raging about spilling oil on the road, I'm not sure I should post this but.

I went out in the Indy today, 50 miles out, great, clear roads, drying, loads of fun. Cold air in + lots of super unleaded = big smiles

On way home major trouble. As I backed off to come over the brow of a hill into a left right combo the oil pressure dropped and the oil light came on. Dropped the clutch and let the engine drop to idle, then killed the engine, coasted down the hill and into the entrance to a farmers field.

Jumped out and took the bonnet off, all OK. Looked underneath and oil everywhere. It was spraying out of one of the oil lines from the sump. Checked the level and it was right at the bottom of the sight glass. Jacked the car up and had a look at the line and it's completely split around where the rubber meets the crimped end.

Called my recovery service (not naming names) at 2.23pm, explained I had a split oil hose and could I have a tow / full lift back home (I'm a member). No problem, he'll be there within 2 hours. Sit around in the freezing cold until 4.15pm when the van turns up. Takes one look at me and says theres nothing I can do mate, you need a full recovery. Fume. I know this says me. He calls it in. They'll be here within 90 minutes. 6.03pm the recovery truck turns up, loads me up and I'm home by 7.15pm.

Two questions, do you think I've done any damage to the engine?

Do you think it is reasonable to leave a guy at the side of the road in winter for nearly 5 hours?

I guess I could have topped up the oil and risked the 30 mile drive home but I'd rather save the engine.

Will be ordering a full braided set of oil lines for the next engine.

Mike

Recovery companies rarely take what is said down the phone as correct. Imagine how many calls they get each day from 'bar room' mechanics - yeah mate I know whats wrong etc etc...

Having said that timescale is unnacceptable...

Just my humble opinion of course...

Next time put a pair of mole grips on your nuts and tell them you are a woman alone,
On the oil thing most oil lights tend to shine at about 6 to 10 psi which does not sound a lot but if you have not got lots of load on the engine and switch off FAST you may be OK.
Only way to find out is fix oil line ,refill and try.
I for 1 will cross my fingers for you.
Steve.

My recovery company boast that they get to you within 35 minutes. I broke down a few years ago in a company pool car. I told them that I was near on the M45 near Daventry, aproaching juntion 1 from the M1 side and I read to them the number of an emergency phone box so that they could pin point me to within a mile. No problem, they said, we'll be with you in 35 minutes.

34 1/2 minutes later they phoned me. We're here, where are you. "M44 J1" I replied. Oh, err, we're on the M25.

Generally, it's best not to breakdown but better an unreliable breakdown company than none at all.

You did the right thing by stopping the way you did. While the oild light was off then everything should be fine. the oil light coming on means loss of oil pressure. there will still be oil on all the wearing surfaces so letting it idle then stopping it won't do it any harm. You will lose oil very quickly with the pump pumping it out of a broken hose. Probably no harm done.

Similar thing happened when the engine in my old LDV van blew it's head gasket. Rang the AA and told them it was terminal, and also told them that it would need a 7.5 tonnes Beavertail wagon as it was too wide to fit on their spec lifts. "No problem" they said. An hour later a guy turns up in a VW Transporter, we fires it up and he says "The head gaskets gone mate, I'll have to get you a tow."
"Fine." I say,"But make sure it's a 7.5 tonnes Beavertail as these are too wide to fit your spec lifts." "No problem." he says, and drives off.
An hour later, a Transit spec lift arrives. Guy gets out and says "Oh dear, these don't fit on our spec lifts, I'll have to ring in and get you a 7.5 tonnes Beavertail."
Twp hours later, the AA subcontractor from two miles down the road at Tamworth Services turns up with a Beavertail. First thing he says is "Have you been waiting long, I've been sat on my arse waiting all day waiting for a job."

Had the same problem twice.

First time was in Nottingham, phoned the AA at 12pm. Said it was my brakes, knowing they cant touch brakes by the roadside from previous encounters i said i would need a tow, they said they would send a truck. Go to meet him an hour later as im round a mates house. There is a small van there, takes a quick look, "yep its your master cylinder your going to need a tow" so he calls back and asks for a tow, i wait about 3 hours for a call, i eventually call back and ask where they are, apparently they have had to use a local company, eventually i get the name of the company and call them, i get told i cant speak to them about it i have to go through the AA. They tell me they will send a mechanic, after about 30 mins on the phone i convince them it will be a waste of their time so just send a truck. Finally i get a call about 9pm from the AA they are sending one of their own trucks. I get home about 12am, but have just had the car transported from nottingham to st albans to my godfathers garage for free.

Second time, was just outside oxford, car got a serious misfire could hardly move under its own power, had a look round and thought it must be the coil pack. Called the AA told them it wasnt moving, so i would need tow, 2 hours later they arrived in a van, after 1 min, "yup your going to need a tow" how long will it be? "about 2 hours". That one only took me 2 hours to get home. Eventually found out the ECU had given up taking the coil with it. Cost about £200 for a new ecu!

Just to let you know your not the only one being left out in the cold! Except the second one i was outside some services so could lay on the sofas reading evo mag!

Mixed fortunes with the RAC,

After the Cycle wing stay broke loose, dropped the cycle wing under and around the wheel and spat it out the back shearing the brake hose on its way, we asked for recovery.

"how do you know they can't fix it?" goes the operator, er... cos I'm holding the friggin brake hose in my hand!

Oh well..
"as its a sports car we'll send out a sliding low bed truck". And the guy even popped home to get some more planks to make sure it went on and didn't scrape!

So kinda good, kinda bad!

Back to the original topic... I'd put a complaint in either in writing or ring up tomorow.
Firstly about having to wait 2hrs in the first place and secondly Considering how you properly described the situation and technicalitys it was very poor service from them not just to send a proper recovery truck!.
All the calls will probably have been recorded, ya might get some knocked off next years membership for your trouble and if nobody complains then they don't know theres anything wrong with their service!

Well I've defrosted my toes, had a beer or two, a Chinese takeaway and I feel better about the whole thing.

Can't fault the guys who turned out, really professional, friendly and genuinely wanted to help.

Mike

i hope CaLviNx and mookaloid dont read this or there will be bloodshed on the site, they will have your guts for garters if you spill oil on the road happy smilie

[Edited on 21/1/06 by graememk]

Was nice and warm in Truro today....

Sorry to hear about your extende wait Mike. Im optimistic that you did the right thing. Now - about the pintosaurus upgrade...............

quote:

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Originally posted by graememk
i hope CaLviNx and mookaloid dont read this or there will be bloodshed on the site, they will have your guts for garters if you spill oil on the road happy smilie

[Edited on 21/1/06 by graememk]

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When my VW Transporter blew up it pumped all the engine oil out of the expansion tank and all over the road before I knew anything was wrong, and I had a Merc hire van that lost it's fuel hose and dumped diesel on the Stanningley bypass one night, does that qualify me for hanging or something now. Police were informed by the way, and what did they do?

Darren

I have a set of ZZR carbs sat around dong nothing if you want to change that carb to something a bit more vroom.

They are 40mm dia and spaced 75mm - 85mm - 75mm centres.

Mike

Carry a tow rope and a mobile in future.

i broke down today as well, misjudged the fuel guage and ran out a mile short of the services That wasnt a fun walk in the wet

I once slipped on a diesel spill on the motorway, and that was in a car! Was big, half a lane for about a mile, i rang the law and they never sounded bothered. Then again, what can they do?