Can an Engine Run with No Oil?

When an engine runs low on oil, multiple things can happen. You will likely spin a bearing that results in an engine failure; you can prematurely damage your engine's internals, lock up oil pumps, cause piston failure, and much more. We decided to show firsthand how fast a running engine can turn on you without proper maintenance, and have some fun in the process!
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[@andrewlang7281]

Back in the 90s I was in tech school and we did a similar thing to an early 80s manual Subaru. We drained coolant, oil, transmission, and diffs. Took the fan out. It ran in the parking lot most of day one. Instructor, who is/was one of my heroes, did 6k clutch drops in the school lot until the clutch exploded. Day 2 we had to turn it over by hand to break it free. It then ran at WOT for about two more hours before window-ing the block. Did we learn anything? Not really. Memories were made though.

[@the2323guy]

old beats new

[@aroundomaha]

That's 100% freaking awesome.

[@LA_Native]

😂

[@andycanfixit]

Best friend had an early 80's manual Subaru, little blue sedan, had like 300,000 miles on it and something let go inside it but it was still running, just poorly, so we pegged the gas pedal and let it run till it died, took about 30 minutes before it must have blown the head gasket too and then a volcano of oil and coolant sludge came shooting up out of the carb or throttle body on top, can't remember exactly, but it looked like a horrible school science project... kept going a bit longer then finally sputtered and died. We got $250 for it from the scrap yard that came and towed it away. Happened in the late 90's. Next closest to that was a 04 Dodge Durango I had with the 5.7 Hemi, came home on a Friday and parked it, went out on a Sunday to start it to go to a friends, clack clack clack then a loud klang. Shut it off, oil down the driveway and a hole in the block. Apparently it dropped a valve seat, then snapped a rod, a common issue on that era Hemi. $4k for a low mileage salvage yard engine swapped into from an 05 Ram, sold it a few years later to another friend after I put 40k on it and he's put another 160k, just helped him swap the valve cover seals that were leaking and some shot engine mounts. Still running. Some things just won't die, while others just one day go boom!

[@LoOnEyToOnZ]

Such a liar u can't even get a car to run that good missing all those parts I'm a mechanic who takes apart and rebuilds like bro just say u like the video don't make up a lie seeming like u did what's in the video first 😢😂cry baby

[@tripleh3195]

I’m starting to get the feeling you guys love blowing up Jettas. Lol

[@Deutscheautoparts]

NOS Free ;)

[@jamesk3565]

Next is no coolant on a turbo 1.8t

[@maryjane5731]

It's actually pretty fun when u have it to do. Some of the best fun I've had was taking an civic that had so much blow by it looked like a smoke machine didn't need it tried giving to some homeless ppl they didn't want so First I just put a brick on the gas pedal let her bounce of Rev limiter for lord I dnt even know how long it ran outta fuel first so I go in it drove it back an fourth up a big ass hill wide open jumping it at top of the hill only let go because I finally got roj d the corner and up the hill fast enough to jump far enough to hit the speed bump at the top of the hill busted the oil pan and kept her pin till she finally after another 10 or 15mins till she let go rod knock came on after 2 or 3 mins loud AF but still took 10 more mins for it to window the block

[@michaelatchison2325]

Poor white Jettas 😟

[@samholdsworth420]

A Volkswagen isn't worth anything unless it's in the scrap yard 🤡

[@tombrown5508]

It’s hurting me to see this! Killing it on purpose seems so cruel. Yet I cannot look away.

[@aubreybush5287]

yeah was hoping they would try to daily it with the high gas prices right now

[@eddiemichael4333]

They don't know how rare are this cars în Europe

[@davidparker9676]

@@eddiemichael4333 These guys are a couple of morons. The car was in repairable condition to make a good daily driver out of it. I knew they wouldn't do anything good with it. It was one of the German built engines with the piston squirters, such a waste.

[@levyrpetje9281]

Hahaha, Levy in Gaborone, Botswana ( Africa ), yah the way they hummer those parts hahaha this is so painful, hahaha point taken, keep on bringing these educational videos

[@thrillbilldeluxe]

All things considered, the MK3 Jettas/Ventos still looking great no matter the condition. 😍

[@tredfxman]

Esp beside my gti clubsport mk7! 😄

[@Ulven3829]

I miss my old Vento GTI

[@davidparker9676]

I feel that way about the MK2 Jettas. I was never really a big fan of the MK3 until recently. I have a couple 1998 TDIs and wish I got into them sooner. Although one of those MK3 TDI's is just a future driveline donor for my MK2 Jetta, I will feel bad killing the MK3 to do it.

[@andrewbillington5422]

My old Mk3 Jetta GLS 2.0 is my favorite car I've owned. Those black and red tail lights are a thing of beauty. I had a lot of fun dreaming I was in the WRC on logging roads.

[@user-zv6xb9kx1j]

Can't get enough of the Charles and Paul crossovers!

[@pudermcgavin4462]

I like how so many vehicles have overheat protection but a low oil pressure /level won't stop it!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

If it was a generator it would have coolant temp and oil pressure shutdowns. I've seen a few still pop head gaskets because if there's enough of a coolant loss the temp sender in the head doesn't see enough heat for a really long time. Long enough to discolor the paint on the head.

[@nolaguy1408]

Could be required as a safety issue. Say you're on the interstate, wouldn't just want car to kill. Just my guess though...

[@aroundomaha]

I love these collaborations "this is stupid. Yeah so let's do it!" But it was also informative at the same time. Cool content.

[@clos2132]

Love Paul's 2000s era hip hop references 🤣

[@thrumyeyesphoto]

This video is fantastic! These 2.0L ABA engines are ridiculously stout. I swapped one into a MK2 GTI and ran it for quite a while under boost without issues. Fun times!

[@beyondthestars4299]

Idk what's the point of the this shit

[@danielx3972]

im sure someone got somehing from this. I found it help to compare my stripped down version of this engine to figure out what to replace and what not.

[@jackcampbell5443]

I love u vdub guys. Living my dream lol. I've been a vw man since 93

[@roccoracer]

The ABA is an awesome engine. I have owned numerous MK3's. I do miss them.

[@petecurran3995]

That's testimony to one tough lump! And that con rod - well and truly Vekna'd!

[@BigBobNasty18]

All your content is top tier

[@RetroRhith]

This is great! It reminds me of a charity event that used to be held at a VW show. They would stick an engine like this up on a hoist, drain the oil, then have a betting board on how long the engine would last before blowing up!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Most of em usually go for 15-20mins.

[@alvaroguerra3627]

Just found your channel and it's a gold mines ! Funny and informative haha.... Perfectly balanced as all things should be... -Thanos

[@arnoldcp11]

Love that you inserted the recorder titanic theme from Stevon.

[@ashes_s3928]

anytime you guys get together a jetta goes thru engine carnage lmao i love it

[@IntFrankNet]

OMG so I made a good choice with the Golf Mk4 2.0L I just bought. Those 2.0L are bulletproof

[@ttano1117]

I ran my ABA with no oil for about 8 miles. It was leaking from the oil cooler gasket. I had to finish getting to work, I brought it home, change that gasket with the gasket from the old oil filter. Filled it with oil and have been driving it daily again since January. Very resilient little bastards.

[@GOLDSWE]

People usually think a engine will die after a couple of minutes without oil. But if you had oil in it before and didnt wash the engine it could still drive for a while. Another thing: A old and worn in engine will survive longer than a new without oil.

[@delldorado9892]

A place called Premier Oil Change in Yuba California did an oil change with the wrong oil, and a broken oil filter cap and I leaked out oil until my Passat TDI told me no engine oil cut engine off. And they tell me that the car wont say that and I should have been notified earlier if the oil was leaking. Then told me I was neglectful since I drove it until it was that low… All after first telling me they would pay to fix anything that went wrong. They said my car would not have driven if I had the engine oil that low. Thank you for this video. They told me it was impossible for parts to be ruined before the engine. Now I have paid a couple thousand and it’s now discovered I have turbo issues on my 2012 diesel engine, the dealership said it’s definitely due to the engine being starved of oil. Another VW Audi shop said that can absolutely happen. Premier Oil Change rep told me it was impossible. Told me the car would not have run, if that was the case. All this less than 5 thousand miles and thousands spent later.

[@jaball77]

I was standing next to an Exocet when its 1.8L Miata engine seized. I'll never forget that sound. Loud straight pipe 4-cylinder idling noises then SHINK and dead quiet. Then the sounds of everyone at the autocross going "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...."

[@pdee886]

I HATED the wastefulness of the clunker program. I was at the VW/ Mazda stealership at the time up here in NY. I wrecked A LOT of valuable cars and after awhile I was playing 'bumper cars' with some of them taking them up the dirt hill in the back of the overflow lot at the stealer 🤣 You're absolutely correct about some of them not wanting to die even with the Silicate or whatever the hell it was... This one 4.0l Cherokee went until it was out of fuel even with me revving the balls out of it. You'd be hard pressed nowadays to find vehicles of the quality that we were 'disposing of' during that "campaign." That e34 clip in this video is an example of a GREAT car that was WASTED. 🤨 Anyways this is the PERFECT solution to getting rid of a 2.Slow ABA. Reliable but so damn underpowered. When you guys were driving by it sounded like a diesel 😁👍👍

[@subieracer005]

THAT WAS AWESOME! Kinda was hoping something would shoot though the block.. but still bad ass!

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Same. The blocks are too damn strong

[@Tyler-ts2ld]

As a MK3 Jetta Trek owner, this hurts. At the same time, the ABA was put in EVERYTHING and there are tons of them out there. Time for a swap!

[@unclejoe6811]

So your name is Tyler, you drive an old Trek edition Jetta...let me guess you vape and do edibles.

[@Tyler-ts2ld]

@@unclejoe6811 not even close.

[@flyrock45]

It did exactly what I thought it would do. I did the same with my VW fox years back. got bored after 30 minutes of bouncing off the rev limiter with no coolant. Drained the oil and bounced it for another 10 without oil until it seized.

[@eduguemis8166]

Seu canal é melhor um bom domingo prá vcs ❤️❤

[@TheHotchile]

Got chills listening to that engine😬

[@ronnybarz]

will you guys ever do an ABA-T just for fun? an ABF clone would be dope too!

[@vr6swp]

We had a Mk4 Jetta VR6 come into the shop with the oil pan almost torn completely off. It actually cracked the block (pan rail) on its way out but we didn’t find that out till later. Teenage girl driver hit a concrete block on I285 and the car made it home, 20-ish miles at freeway speeds, with no oil.

[@ghomerhust]

before seeing how it goes, you will be really shocked how long that little shit will go with no oil. i bought a rust free golf that had a locked up ABA. culprit? no water, for over 2 hours, in stop and go driving, in the summer in omaha..... and the bottom end was actually still ok. the head is what locked up, due to the plastic cam cover MELTING down into the sump, then it congealed in the sump and got sucked up by the pump, and it plugged the pump. starved the cam journals, and locked up the head. crank bearings and rings were NOT BAD. a new head and it would have run for years. i tossed a digifant head on it, after doing a hone, rings and bearings. that bottom end is STOUT in a mk2 now. ABAs are just amazing little crapboxes

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Yeah they are!

[@pudermcgavin4462]

I had an 85 prelude that overheated horribly, I sat in stop and go traffic for hours cuz I got lost! It sat at full hot and didn't even care. It had 460k miles on it, and went almost 60k on a civic I had no oil changes just kept oil in it and could not kill it!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@pudermcgavin4462 same with a Nissan 200 se-r I had. Never changed the oil in 8yrs and 30k miles. Forgot how many clutch dumps I'd do,and the fun part of holding it on the rev limiter for 2-3 seconds on a cold start. 1200$ car, it's an experiment to see how much abuse it would take and it took alot.

[@zackk695]

For those curious some other engine testers did an over filling of oil video and the results were that nothing happens at all. So when oil is filled double it did nothing to the engine so the triple and then 4X the amount of oil and it finally just started to leak oil on the pan gasket. It wasn’t even the seals that blew out. Not sure overfilling is an issue but if you did have a quart or 2 over it would do no harm at all

[@mk3_ep554]

Ouch poor aba. I daily a mk3 with a semi built aba and I love it!

[@kevinsandri6597]

I am so glad you guys teamed up to do this, I was just about to. So glad I'm not short a bag of gummy bears now.

[@brownah]

Can we please have more engine swap projects with Paul and Charles? I've watched the Scirocco one 72 times.

[@Deutscheautoparts]

We hope to have some cool stuff coming for you

[@jg2382]

Name a more iconic duo than these two

[@jamesk3565]

Not sure if I missed it but did you drain/remove the oil filter? That may have been where the rest of the oil came from

[@max-zo5ew]

thank you

[@OwenC1]

You guys should put some fun engine like a 07K in that Jetta. By Northern standards, that car is clean!

[@jkallner]

Love the video. You should be the new click and clack

[@Michaeltje89]

6:45 ABA are pretty 'expensive' in the Netherlands because we had the AFT for it (1.6) with 101hp.

[@MrLense]

Damn DAP and Matt Watson uploading videos running engines with no oil in the same day!

[@rabbitenjoyer6320]

Lol "genie lamp" Always wondered what to call that symbol 😂

[@Oduck22]

Answer: 3 years over 15,000 miles. My 95 2.slow leaked oil that completely emptied everyday, so instead of making Mario Kart bananas all over the road, I decided to run it until it stopped. Shocked it lasted that long

[@andrewg2322]

Impressive, might have been better to fix the leak. Or if your so done with the car you have decided it deserves no more oil, i respect that.

[@rkan2]

How tf

[@jonytube]

@@rkan2 VW baby!

[@jonytube]

@@rkan2 there's no in betweem, a VW will either go to the moon and back twice or it will crap itself a quarter of the way there.

[@beyondthestars4299]

You killed the engine

[@StaticVapour590]

I had a car with BGU engine and I think the oil pump chain rattled in it. Every cold start sounded like that fine Jetta after 4 minutes of idling, mine rattled for good 10-20 seconds

[@JustinBone]

You guys should do a similar test, with a healthy running engine. Like an engine that has all of its fluids, and it’s in decent mechanical order. I’d be curious to see how long he Street meant, stock engine, can hold red line with healthy oil supply, before potentially blowing up

[@Jakalwarrior]

Any well built modern engine will just overheat after a while because the cooling system isn't getting enough airflow while stationary.

[@thebiggestoneyouveverhad]

Kinda like that scene in Green Mile when they didn't wet the sponge...

[@ChastonPierce]

I live on the west coast where these cars are a little harder to find then over where you guys are. This hurt a little bit. just a little bit though lol .

[@mattalki]

aww, man! I was hoping you guys were going to make that ABA nice again! Booo! Still, it was educational to see the carnage after running it out of oil. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the Jetta. I'm hoping no VR6 (overdone).

[@ericnoack]

Didn't Nulon run a car around australia with no oil back in the 80-90 ? I recall they did .You might want to find the article

[@Disco_B4ll5]

This is all I LEARNED from your guys great video and handlement.. Kinda happy it didnt KABLOOie!! Stay safe for a smooth slide n ride B) 1) The way you can tell if your car needs some more lubricate is if it sounds Clunky and Banging. Its suppose to purr, smooth slide- smooth ride. SMOOOOTHHHHH not agressive but like a purr. A cats purr is a very good engine sound

[@JP18Mike]

Awesome! The engine is destroyed, which means the trans is no longer needed! How do I purchase it? I'm in Charlotte

[@JamesKelly89]

I need an ABA. My '96 Cabrio with ~140k miles developed a bad ticking noise and started giving me an oil pressure warning at idle. I dropped the oil pan and found 2 twisted up thrust washers in the oil pan. The engine still runs but I'm thinking the engine is worn because I'm under the impression the previous owner didn't maintain it very well.

[@82dupont]

I was trying to find somewhere to ask you this but couldn’t find anywhere to do it but here goes….I’m trying to venture into the VW car market, I have never owned one but I’m looking to buy one in a couple of months, lots of people tell me to stay away from them, others have told me to buy the base model Jetta and stay away from models with sunroof, which VW Jetta would you guys recommend for someone who has never owned one and what engine should I look for in a Jetta? Thanks

[@2stroke438]

I love you guys.

[@2of2DCH]

@8:855...Paul, There's a little bit of metal in there. LMAO!!

[@tunasub4167]

Keeps running forever! mine has 300000 never had to open it up. Transmission did go after 200000 pretty good for a 01m

[@leonardocafferata6697]

My ABA's head just blew in a cloud of white smoke, just before I attempted to sell my mk3 GTI, so Im not so sure if 'bullet-proof' is the rght word for it. I think that the 1.8L mk2 NW engine is way sturdier than the ABA/ADC one

[@Lilgti]

I wonder how long an obd2 ABA would’ve lasted. It’s my understanding that the obd1 Abas had forged bottom ends and some different valve springs up top? I can’t really remember but it’s something like that.

[@kylegibson3150]

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure only the obd1s had the oil squirters. They got cheaper with the obd2s

[@nutsack]

@@kylegibson3150 oil squirters and forged crank on the obd1

[@zeynharri3277]

lol my word just a quick question.... what's the best oil for a 1.2 tsi ?

[@TheBlake8]

Makes me think of the finale car chase in Blues Brothers “Oh no, the motor, we’ve thrown a rod….. Is that serious?…..Yup”

[@1.9tdilove71]

What about 1.9 TDI ALH 5 speed manual 2006 engine? Is it reliable and can last 200k?

[@CalebisOdd]

This is cool and all, and I know I can get premature wear without enough oil in my engine but what if I have too much oil? Like if some how I do a whoopsie and fill my engine to the brim. What would happen?????

[@trevorsonnenberg5268]

Is that Jetta going to be the next DAP project car? EA888 swap? VR6 swap?

[@aubreybush5287]

I wanted to see you save this engine but I would rather see a vr swap :)

[@knndyskful]

I wonder if the folks at VW’s R&D department are proud?? Do we have any contacts at VW that watch?

[@euroberto85]

When i worked for honda we tried to do the sodium silicate on this old cadillac. It took 10 minutes of wide open throttle for it to let go. I hated that program. I cringed every time we killed a car

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Some really cool cars unfortunately met their demise

[@rootz420]

This is terrible. How is this not more wasteful than letting them stay on the road or in yards?

[@jizburg]

Once upon a time i blew my moms Saab engine upp by running it without oil. But in my defence apperantly the oil pressure warning lamp were broken for some reason. So when an external oil return started dumping oil on the ground i had no warning before the engine totaly broke down. I tried to fill it upp again and start it and ran it around the block, and interestingly it started running way better when piston number 3 ejected out of the cylinder wall and the rod punched a fist size hole in the bottom of the oil pan... Well... for a while at least.

[@1PotatoeMasher1]

Had a guy come up to me a couple months ago from Pakistan and he said he just noticed his oil pressure light came on. No detectable leaks and 3 quarts later we topped it off. It was a B7 Passat 2.0FSI. I was very surprised it seemed to run just fine.

[@1PotatoeMasher1]

I forgot probably the worst part is it had no air box or filter and a solid coating of dust in the intake. His mechanic told him it would make more power and run better or something but I told him to get a filter on there soon.

[@mikejf4377]

I want the rear axle from the Jetta please.

[@JaredSVX]

Nice

[@spinner4life2]

Among the most reliable yes, though I will say IMHO the ALH (early TDI) is the most stubborn and hard to kill of the bunch

[@AA21397]

Nah Here in europe we have SDI or non turbo diesel in vw till 2006

[@78katz]

ALH would have eaten the turbo WAY sooner with no oil.

[@japcarlucky]

My Jetta 3 had I think 500-600K lol, I changed the cluster at 250K then put close to 300 k on the new cluster but I was told when I bought the car it had more miles then 250k and the cluster was previously changed 🤣 I just changed that cluster because it had a clock no tac and the white GLI guage set lol.

[@johnnyberglund841]

Hi, I can tell how long in my case! I drived my Fiat 600 300km,after that engine large axel broke just like that! Workshop didnt filled oil after service! They paid repair for me after! True story from the 60th in Sweden! Johnny D Bergh

[@Staybrown11]

Anyone know how much psi or compression is needed for 2002 VW GTI 1.8T? I have a flashing oil light only when the key is on the “on” position. Once I turn the key and the engine runs the light goes away.

[@jesusischrist2485]

How would you put oil inside without taking the engine out

[@abdeslamtaki8961]

Hi sœur how change oil for golf 7 boit normalise 2.0 tdi ´143 cheuv

[@MrComradebuttons]

I had a na golf mk3 and no oi flow to the top end, lasted like 6 months of driving it like it was fine (valley runs, hard pulls way to fast )

[@TruEGTI]

For the 1st time I have to disagree. Having owned many ABA's and Digi cars. My experience is Digi's can go and go and go..many many miles with no oil lol But!! A stock bottom end ABA can handle 400whp for many many miles. Another amazing video guys!!!

[@crxtodd16]

I love how it pooted a puff of smoke out the dipstick tube as its final, dying breath. 🤭

[@genopingon5367]

I once owned a 96 Jetta VR6 n ran it with no oil without knowing. I didn't know these engines burned oil as they did? I religiously change oil every 3000 miles! So story short the engine cut off on me on the road wouldn't start? Checked oil not a drop on dipstick! Cooled down start rite up went to buy oil top off n ran without any problems! Always kept an eye on oil level after that? VR6's are bullet proof!!

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

notification squad!🔥🔥🔥

[@mrvento_za]

What's the plans for the car now?

[@rabbitenjoyer6320]

Sad ABA noises Hypothetically could this be rebuilt?

[@moron1182]

If the aba is the most reliable what is the 2.5

[@rudolfopadilla535]

Interested to know what is gonna take that engines place. Maybe a 2.0t from a modern car with Quattro.

[@nmcrar]

Another KZbinr may have a W8 available soon...

[@AB-jk7tw]

I am with Charles, always sad to see machinery abused, even if it is toast.

[@JesusHHernandez]

Big fan of the oil demonstration moans.

[@mowler8042]

Stupid question why this type of bearing? why not roller bearings or sealed ball bearing for crankshafts?

[@barrysauce]

So vr swap with a turbo? All fixed? What you gonna do?

[@ChrisFaulkner]

my 2L ABA's cam isnt getting oil, loosened oil temp sensor, and there is considerable oil pressure, so why the hell is my cam dry as a bone?

[@derkr0x]

So what's the plan for this now?

[@mostwanted33986]

9:33 so charles has already forgot that the engine was running without oil in the first place

[@mathew10676]

That knock is just the gdi…. 😂

[@richardromero8049]

Is it bad that I drove my truck with maybe a quart of oil for 100 miles. Reason for this was a rookie mistake of changing oil in the dark and not noticing that I double gasketed the filter. Didn’t think that this mistake leaked 75% of my oil so I just went ahead and redid the oil change instead of thinking that my dipstick was acting stupid

[@vwmaverick]

I'll take that 020 transmission if it is OK.

[@redhairbeta23]

Can someone explain. They video says no oil in the engine but they drained some later proving it was never empty

[@hyper8545]

😳 my mk6 has that engine Pray to the EA888 gods for me Oil change every 3k. And im shocked it lasted that long with no oil aba is op

[@jonytube]

6k miles is enough for the 888.

[@stevenyia2778]

Wrong engine

[@christianheidt5733]

Dura lube, I CANT BELIEVE ITS STILL RUNNING!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrism869]

even at redline it took a long time