I so don't need this right now...

[SilverBack]

I was driving home tonight on the freeway through a construction zone behind some guy when he (possibly drunk) decided to clip the last cone and drag it back into our lane. It pops out from under him and gets caught under my front end. I hear it scraping as the oil light immediately comes on and I smell the oil leak. The cone then pops itself from under me, but luckily for me I was only 2 mins away from home so I get here quickly with the hazards on and turn off the engine. I pop the hood and notice that oil has sprayed all over the front of the engine and everywhere else. Whatever's left is now slowly leaking (and I also noticed that my front Toyota logo is now gone).

I checked and noticed that my oil filter is still on as left it, so the only thing I can think of is that there are loose or missing bolts on the oil pan. (I can't tell because it's dark). This just can't be happening seeing as how I got class tomorrow. Dammit...

I'll take pics in the morning, but feedback would be appreciated in the meantime. Hope it's not as bad as it looks.

[mryaris]

It's likely that the oil filter was punctured or sliced into (or simply broke the bead on the seal). I would drain what's left of the oil and pull off the filter and inspect it. That is the most logical thing....I really doubt that any pan bolts came loose.

Whatever you do, do not drive it until you figure it out!

[echaru]

It's kind of too late now. But if it was me, I would take his license plate number, find him and sue his arse.

[UTVitz]

Welcome to the world of road hazards. Since you seemed to loose oil pressure so quick I'd have it towed to a shop of your choosing and have it checked-hopefully the short drive after the incident did not damage the motor. No matter what you pay to have it towed and checked out it will be a fraction of what an engine costs. If the damage is extensive you might check with your insurance company-comprehensive covers these things less your deductible.

[DARK AGE 53]

It's likely that the oil filter was punctured or sliced into (or simply broke the bead on the seal). I would drain what's left of the oil and pull off the filter and inspect it. That is the most logical thing....I really doubt that any pan bolts came loose.

Whatever you do, do not drive it until you figure it out!

I agree, best of luck.

[SilverBack]

UTVitz: I was afraid of motor damage too, but luckily I didn't lose all my oil so I got home safely and quickly. It was starting to struggle just seconds before I turned it off though. It's running just fine now minus the battle scars. ..Well I guess now's a good time to finally get that Netz emblem. And get a steam-cleaning to get rid of that burning old oil smell and smoke....

mryaris: You were 100% dead-on about filter damage! I worked on it this morning. I opened the drain plug, but since it was sitting there dripping all night nothing came out lol. Turned-out the filter shell was crumpled like a beer can and the rubber seal was separated. It was so deformed that I couldn't even take my filter wrench to it. Had to hand-torque the greasy bastard for almost 10 minutes to get it out. Thanks for your help. Appreciate it.

And as promised, the messy pics that make you say "WTF...":

[Astroman]

Stupid truck, and stupid cone. Glad it isn't worse!

[Flipper_1938]

!

[SilverBack]

^Just the usual underside phantom grommet/screw clip that I'd otherwise lose anyway to another parking bump-stop. The folly of having a lowered car lol. I keep the splash shield tucked under the bumper's clipping point, so it's not a big deal. Nothing to flap in the wind...

Thanks Astroman. He almost did hit another car too after spitting out the cone, so I'm sure he finally got his miles down the freeway. As for my end it's just a really messy oil change that came 1000 miles early this time around lol. I'll deal with the missing emblem later

[matthewai]

what a dick not you the truck

[R2D2]

Wow. Lucky this happened close to home or it could have been a disaster. That oil filter really is a sitting duck under those circumstances. Glad everything worked out for you.

[mryaris]

I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious. It does suck to have to clean up all that oil though....ugh, what a mess!

[LA Yaris]

This one reason why I don't drive on the 10 freeway...

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Good thing it wasn't anything more serious. Do you think the oil filter mount was damaged?

[SilverBack]

I cleaned the mount as much I could before inspecting it. So far so good. And since I'm not seeing any new oil leaking I take it there's no damage. I'll have to keep watching it this week though.

[slothman86]

Hope it is very minor damage. The guys was probably tired and texting and makeing a phone call and making coffee and talking on the radio and adjusting the radio station and setting his cruise control and lighting a cigarette and combing his hair and brushing his teeth and maybe he was drunk too.

[Astroman]

Hm makes me wonder if we should start a DIY oil filter guard? This was probably a freak accident, but I'd be more than happy to throw an aluminum or even steel guard on there somehow.

[markitect]

What kind of traffic cone was it? In autocross I've see lots of cars eat lots of cones, and I've never seen any damage like this.

I think you just got really unlucky, and really lucky at the same time.

[SilverBack]

Hope it is very minor damage. The guys was probably tired and texting and makeing a phone call and making coffee and talking on the radio and adjusting the radio station and setting his cruise control and lighting a cigarette and combing his hair and brushing his teeth and maybe he was drunk too.

Yeah that does sound like LA lol

Hm makes me wonder if we should start a DIY oil filter guard? This was probably a freak accident, but I'd be more than happy to throw an aluminum or even steel guard on there somehow.

Not a bad idea, but me thinks one of those aluminum underpanels from MI could do the trick if this keeps happening :wink:

What kind of traffic cone was it? In autocross I've see lots of cars eat lots of cones, and I've never seen any damage like this.

I think you just got really unlucky, and really lucky at the same time.

I've smashed autocross cones too with no trouble, but this was a true traffic cone. Looked to be about 2 feet tall, and definitely heavy.

Yeah right place wrong time I guess...

[slothman86]

Hm makes me wonder if we should start a DIY oil filter guard? This was probably a freak accident, but I'd be more than happy to throw an aluminum or even steel guard on there somehow.

that sounds like a good idea!

[SilverBack]

Anyone know of a good place/site to get a better-priced Toyota emblem? My broke ass is trying to avoid a trip to the dealer.

[Astroman]

I'd love to get an aluminum underpanel. I'll check it out though and see if something could be fabricated cheap.