Automatic Trans Engine Cut Out When Stationary

[Cydney]

I have a 1999 Subaru Impreza SRX, automatic. Had been driving for about 30minutes at an average of 100km/h. When I came to a stop at an intersection the dash lights came on and the car cut out. I got the car started again and it got me home without cutting out again but it lacked power, foot to the floor and it had no guts. Checked the oil which was extremely low and has since then has been filled, the car starts like normal but there is a knocking noise coming from the engine which lasts about 3-5 seconds after initially starting the car. When I've put foot on accelerator even whilst it is in park something does not sound right; sluggish almost.. Friend thinks motor is as good as gone; partial seizure,  because it had no oil in and about 3 weeks prior to this it overheated for the first time since I brought it 8 years ago, however, whenever it has been low on oil in the past the oil light has appeared on the dash, this time it didn't. I've also had suggestions it could be a blown head gasket, loose wiring or the spark plugs. Anybody any ideas on what the problem is most likely to be? Thanks.

Edited October 12, 2016 by Cydney

[idosubaru]

stalling, low on oil, knocking - sounds ominous but best not to guess:

 

1. "low on oil" - you need to tell us exactly what that means.

low on the dipstick still means there's a fair amount of oil in the engine oil pan - even not registering on the dipstick, there could still be oil in it. 

if you had to add 4 quarts to bring it up to full - that's a completely different story. 

 

2. "overheating" - how badly was it overheated?  just went up a little bit?  or you didn't notice until steam was billowing out the car and it was bucking, then looked down and saw the gauge pegged in the red?

 

3. Check engine light - read the codes, see if there are any pending codes (even if the light isn't lit yet)

in the states most national chains read the codes for free, cheap OBDII scanners are only like $35 on ebay and well worth having on hand, i've got a few. 

with a little work you can even work on nearly free/cheap laptop connectors or phone adapters via blue tooth on amazon....  lots of options. 

 

4. knocking could also be piston slap, timing tensioner, flex plate....but lower end failure is more likely if caused/related to recent events....we just don't know yet if they're related. 

[1 Lucky Texan]

how long since timing belt system was serviced? could have slipped timing a tooth or 2.

 

I would rule-out possible blocked exhaust.

 

seems like w'ever happened had sudden on-set , but, as said, there are several possibilities.

[wtdash]

HI,

I was always under the impression that on Subarus prior to 2004-ish, if the OIL light comes on, it's too late?? It's not there to tell you to add oil, but that it's OUT OF OIL.

 

Overheating = head gaskets. Low oil and knocking = rod bearing failue. These two are usually connected, @ least on the 2.5 engine.

 

That's my 'devil's advocate' opinion.

 

GL,

TD

[forester2002s]

+1 On 'older' cars, the oil-warning lamp is activated by an oil-pressure switch, and means that the oil-pressure has dropped below a safe value.

When that light comes on (it sometimes flickers first, before going full on), it means that the engine is NOW being starved of oil.

Unless the engine is turned off immediately, damage will result.  If it keeps running, the engine is toast.

 

On later cars, there may be actual oil-level sensor, in which case the warning lamp may just be a warning to add oil.

 

But I wouldn't recommend driving any car with an oil light on.

[Cydney]

The low level of oil was still registering on the dipstick. As far as the overheating a few weeks prior I didn't notice until there was steam coming out the car; temp gauge was usually sits about 1/4 of the way between hot and cold when I looked after noticing the steam it was sat at about 3/4. 

 

Overheating = head gaskets. Low oil and knocking = rod bearing failue. These two are usually connected...