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Ok so i have a 96 mx3 4 CYL its been sitting since sept i went to start it i put the battery in and it struggled to start and started on the 3rd attempt the belt squeeled but went away and i let it run for maybe 2-3 mins and there was smoke comming from the block and i thought ok maybe its just the condensation/grease build up that is visible around the sides and all that so i let it run for a bit and i didnt think much of it caues it all sounded normal, but then the smoke got worse and it started making a ticking sound so i knew that wasnt good so i shut it off, NOW what is the problem here? my assumption is there is not oil getting into the valves etc...what should i do? thanks!

Looks like you started a dry engine. I like to take the plugs out, oil the cylinders, roll the engine over to bring up the oil pressure, install the plugs and then start the engine. Is there any oil in the engine?

Daninski wrote:Looks like you started a dry engine. I like to take the plugs out, oil the cylinders, roll the engine over to bring up the oil pressure, install the plugs and then start the engine. Is there any oil in the engine?

i was assuming the engine was not getting oil since the ticking started so i stopped it, as far as the oil goes, there IS oil inside when i check the dip stick, so what do you recommend i do? if its not getting oil by putting some in the plugs thats only a temp solution is it not? what should i do

I'd suggest you add an engine flush to your oil. Start the engine and run it and see if the flush frees up your sticking valves.

This guy also ran his car out of coolant, according to his other thread.

Ryan wrote:This guy also ran his car out of coolant, according to his other thread.

these are 2 different cars, and i didnt have it run out of coolant, i was driving and it leaked out while i was driving

My bad, I assumed.

Where exactly is the smoke coming from? Burning off old oil on the block can last quite awhile, and the ticking can possibly start on its own when an HLA gets a pos stuck in it. Are both your belts intact? is your oil pressure switch connected? Maybe do what Danny said, and do an oil and filter change to make sure.

im surprised that the oil light didnt turn on actually, your right im not sure if the sensor is working or not? where is the oil pressure switch suppose to be connected to?

Its a single wire switch on the back of the block, near the oil filter. If you want to replace it anyway its like $15.

Either way, try the other things and answer the other questions, too.

The oil pressure sender unit activates if its under 4psi, its not
really a reliable indicator of whether there is sufficient pressure
or not. You could be at 6psi and never know it.

Damage can occur without the light ever coming on.


Im not trying to make you paranoid, just aware.