Hey All...
I have been searching the site for a little while and not really found what I am looking for. Earlier today, I was driving on the highway when the oil light flashed and sounded the alarm and the car lost power. I pulled over within seconds and turned off the motor. Yes, the car is overdue for an oil change, so mea culpa. I checked the dipstick to find the oil level WAY below the fill line. I phoned a friend and he arrived shortly thereafter with a couple quarts. The car never overheated.
We added 2.5 quarts and let the car sit for a few minutes. I tried starting, but nothing happened. Belts turned, and it made the sound like it wanted to start. I had to call for a tow and the driver said that the engine sounds like it has no compression. He said that it might be a blown timing belt, but I replaced it last year and I am told that the damage would be catastrophic if that happened. I think that I may have added too much oil. Any thoughts? I would like to head into the repair shop tomorrow armed with a least a working theory that is backed up by people who really know.
It is a 1998 VW 1.8T with 109k mostly highway miles. Other than this last lapse (I work three jobs and travel a lot) I have babied her and been really regular with maintenance.
I would appreciate any advice you can provide.
Thanks,
FrankP