Hi protege 5 guys, new to here, and love my protege 5. That being said.. I am terrible about keeping it in shape I guess. I try to keep up with oil changes as much as possible, but recently went over a few thousand miles from the date given at shop.
So to start, I checked my oil to see how dirty it was when my car was cold. The dipstick showed that not only was it nice and brown, but it appeared a few centimeters maybe below the line. So I figured I'd go get some oil to put in. I put the whole quart of oil in, and checked the dipstick, and now it was over pretty much up to where the bendy part is on the stick. Asked someone if I should be ok until i can get oil changed, he said sure, probably. I drove about 60 miles or so, seemed to run ok I guess. The next day when I went to start, it started but immediately stopped and check engine light came on. I can get it cranking, but won't turn over. Used starter fluid and still wouldn't start. The cranking sounds ok, almost like normal. My battery is definitely going bad or now I'm thinking possibly alternator. Another friend said possibly crankshaft position sensor or fuel pump. I've drained and replaced oil at normal level.
I even changed 3 spark plugs, but one of the coils snapped on the 3rd plug in line and the plastic piece surrounding the plug is stuck in there. But have read that your car should still start if that's the case, just that it would run poorly.
I am out in the middle of the desert with the closest mechanic being 50 miles away. It will be towed this Saturday 1/5/22 to the shop and get worked on. I'm just trying to get an idea of what's going on and if anyone has any advice or previous experience with something like this. Do you believe that a quart over would destroy the engine after driving for 60, 70 miles?
Thank you for taking the time to read, and especially reply!
-Erik
So to start, I checked my oil to see how dirty it was when my car was cold. The dipstick showed that not only was it nice and brown, but it appeared a few centimeters maybe below the line. So I figured I'd go get some oil to put in. I put the whole quart of oil in, and checked the dipstick, and now it was over pretty much up to where the bendy part is on the stick. Asked someone if I should be ok until i can get oil changed, he said sure, probably. I drove about 60 miles or so, seemed to run ok I guess. The next day when I went to start, it started but immediately stopped and check engine light came on. I can get it cranking, but won't turn over. Used starter fluid and still wouldn't start. The cranking sounds ok, almost like normal. My battery is definitely going bad or now I'm thinking possibly alternator. Another friend said possibly crankshaft position sensor or fuel pump. I've drained and replaced oil at normal level.
I even changed 3 spark plugs, but one of the coils snapped on the 3rd plug in line and the plastic piece surrounding the plug is stuck in there. But have read that your car should still start if that's the case, just that it would run poorly.
I am out in the middle of the desert with the closest mechanic being 50 miles away. It will be towed this Saturday 1/5/22 to the shop and get worked on. I'm just trying to get an idea of what's going on and if anyone has any advice or previous experience with something like this. Do you believe that a quart over would destroy the engine after driving for 60, 70 miles?
Thank you for taking the time to read, and especially reply!
-Erik