My neighbor has an 87 T2 that was VERY low on oil and quit on him. what could be wrong with it? Please try to help... No smart remarks please. Thanks, Clint Z

 

how long was it run with low oil, how low is 'low'?

 

I do not really know. He has not tried to start it yet. he just let it set. Is there anything I need to do to try start it other that fill w/ oil?

 

fill it with oil and crank it w/ the EGI fuse pulled......that'll get some oil in the chambers i think.

 

What I would do is do an oil change, new filter and all that. Then put in fresh oil, take out spark plugs and throw some oil in the rotor chambers. Get a 19mm (I think) socket and turn the front pulley to get access to all the faces. Turn the engine over several times like this. Then pull the EGI fuse and crank the car until there is oil pressure registering on the gauge. Put fuse back in and start it.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try them DrOx as soon as it stops raining. Later, Clint Z

 

I got the story today... The old guy knows nothing about the car anddid not check the oil for 2 weeks and it leaks. the car started to run rough and he thought he was out of gas. put gas in and cranked it and it smoked like hell and he drove it about a mile and it died on him. he started it again and drove it 100 yds and parked it. Is it salvagable? I can buy it for 300 cash. ext is in good shape and int is dirty but only has one rip in the leather drivers seat. some trim pieces are missing but I was going to make a SCCA Car anyway. what do you think. Thanks, Clint

 

$300 is a good deal any way it goes with a good body and possibly a good engine is a plus.

 

Leaking/burning over a quart a week is probably an almost used up motor.
just make sure you have enough cash for the engine swap/rebuild.
Maybe a ported j-spec?

 

Thanks guys, I have a friend that needs a new body. If the motor is shot what do they bring? total engine/turbo/intercooler/tranny. Thanks Clint Z