My son does no maintenance on his car despite everyone telling him too. He went over a year without an oil change and the car had no oil in it when I checked it and I threw in over 5 quarts (out of 6) of 5w-30 synthoil. I cannot explain why it still runs.
He has a check engine light on that needs to be clear before he smogs it for registration. He said the auto guy (what auto guy?) put a reader on it and it is a timing issue - no more information than that. I’m going to put my reader on it but it is a cheap-ass one just to read and clear codes (yes I know just clearing the code will not let it pass the smog test). My question is one of anticipation: what timing issues can occur/worsen with the lack of oil changes. Another symptom is that it make growling sounds when it starts up but that quickly (less than a minute) goes away and the car (shockingly) runs fine.
Perhaps the burned up oil coated an air sensor, which messes up the electronic timing system. Or it could be something totally unrelated to the oil issue.
Pretty much all readers have an option to report the codes. Sometimes they will have a brief description of the code. Once you have the codes, do a web search for “car_model code” and you should get more detail on the codes. Many auto parts stores will do free code reading for you. They will have a better code reader and may be able to read the codes that your reader can’t retrieve.
Before you clear the codes, also check the emission monitors. The monitors check things like airflow and exhaust. Typically, these monitors have to be in the ready state for inspection to pass. When the codes are cleared, the emission monitors will also be cleared. It takes a while of normal driving for them to go through their test cycles and get to the ready state. Sometimes states will allow you to have 1-2 monitors in the non-ready state. This can make it a bit easier to get inspected since you can clear the monitors and then get it inspected before the failing monitor gets to the failed state.
Variable valve timing can advance or adjust the cam shaft angle using oil pressure. If you don’t have enough oil, then the adjustment won’t be made and it will throw that code.
There’s no point in speculating.
Just read the code and report back.
But, if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say that any “timing-related” code is not doing to be due to lack of oil. If the oil light never came on, then, through some miracle, the engine always had sufficient oil pressure, and may not have any serious damage.
The oil pickup is at the bottom of the oil pan. Just like a straw at the bottom of a glass of water, you have to get the level pretty low before it starts sucking in air. OTOH, if there was only one quart left in there, then it was probably pretty close. If your son continues with his policy of never checking the oil, one of these days it will get too low and he will destroy the engine; he/you should set aside a few thousand dollars to be ready for the day that happens.
Hmm… I knew my old Honda Civic had burned oil and needed more when I went around a corner and the oil light came on briefly.