I put the wrong oil in my car yesterday and this morning ...


I put the wrong oil in my car yesterday and this morning it died on me while driving and won’t start now. What do I do? Mechanic's Assistant: When was your last oil change? 2 months ago Mechanic's Assistant: What ...

I put the wrong oil in my car yesterday and this morning it died on me while driving and won’t start now. What do I do? Mechanic's Assistant: When was your last oil change? 2 months ago Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? 2011 Buick Regal Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Regal yourself? What have you tried so far? I will be trying to, I haven’t done anything yet. I’m headed to the parts store now Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? I put 2 quarts of 5w20 instead of 5w30

Automotive Expert
Hello, my name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* to just answer! I will be assisting you with all of your vehicle questions today. I’m really sorry that you’re having this issue and I’m going to help you through it, but please understand that I (respectfully) don't know your skill level or tools you have to assist us to diagnose/repair your vehicle. Also, understand that I can't see, smell, hear or touch the vehicle either, so your patience/understanding is appreciated. Please allow me up to 10 minutes to gather schematics and other pertinent information for this issue. I do not know anything about the fees or charge so please if you have any concerns, direct them to customer service. My aim is to give you the best service possible and to help you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I appreciate your patience and will provide responses as soon as possible. Thank you. putting 5W20 in instead of 5W30 has absolutely **NOTHING** to do with the car not starting. it wont hurt anything.

Okay, so it's due to a different issue?
Automotive Expert
absolutely what happens when you try to start the engine? does the engine crank but not start or isnt it doing anything?

I have a feeling that it's the altinator or the starter but it hasn't made noise or acted funny when starting so I'm not sure if it's the starterYeah it cranks but sounds like metal
Automotive Expert
when it stopped running on you, did the oil light come on? and is that why you had to add oil?

No light came on it just shut off and didn't start again. My brother added the wrong oil yesterday and it stopped running this morning
Automotive Expert
ok. the difference in 5W20 to 5W30 is almost NIL. so when you added 2 quarts, did you overfill it? having too much oil can also be detrimental to an engine

No it was completely dry when the oil was added
Automotive Expert
**wait. did you not just say your brother changed the oil yesterday?**

No, I said it was added
Automotive Expert
so 2 quarts were added yesterday because it was bone dry? and then after the 2 quarts were added is when it quit running?

It ran all night and quit running this morning on my way to work
Automotive Expert
so when the 2 quarts were added did the oil level come up to the full mark?

No
Automotive Expert
ok, and you have no idea how long you were driving the car while it was bone dry before adding the 2 quarts?

I'd say less than 20 miles or around there
Automotive Expert
**ok, well then, get your oil, drain the oil that's in there and check for metal particles in the bottom of whatever you drain it into. if there are metal particles in the bottom then internal engine damage has occurred. also get a new filter.**

Okay got ya
Automotive Expert
ok
Automotive Expert
Just checking to see how it's going. I want to make sure you are taken care of. But with no response, I can only give you what I already have. Have a great day. If you need to continue or if there is anything else I can assist with at all, let me know here and I will be happy to assist further!

I couldn't find the issue but I did have another mechanic look at it. The engine has internal damage I have to replace the engine
Automotive Expert
ok. ouch. sorry for your misfortune. please stay well.

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