So, I heard that the 3VZE has a sensor in it that causes the engine to shut down if oil gets low. It happened to me yesterday. I added a full quart of oil and then she started up. I was able to drive her to the gas station, but she bucked hard after 50MPH. I added another quart.

Now, she still bucks after 50MPH and during acceleration, she gets what seems to be like mis-fires.

My question is, did I fuxor her up? Do you think I could have just fouled the plugs? What are our option as far as plug wires go? The stock 5mm just seems too puny to me.

 

You might add "check the oil" to your regular list of things to do...

 

I don't believe it has a sensor that will shut the engine down if it get's too low.
Also, I don't think plug wire size is your biggest problem at this point.

If your engine stopped because it didn't have enough oil I think you could have major problems. Engines really, really like oil.

 

I agree, sadly. If it was 2 quarts low (or more, since he didn't he filled it to the mark) it's entirely possible there's some damage. A quart low won't hurt, it'll just run crappy and the oil pres gauge will drop way down at idle, but 2 qts is pushing it...

 

sad

 

I wonder what the absolute minimum oil amount is. How much oil is in the various passageways and bearings, etc, plus how much needs to be in the pan in order for it to be pumped. I once ran on 2 quarts low for half a block. It didn't seem to damage anything.

 

If there is as little as 1 quart in the pan the oil pump will in fact pickup enough oil to lubricate the engine.

The problem is that this small amount of oil doen't get a chance to get cool and then breaks down. (I believe).

 

I know of no such sensor. I believe your engine stalled due to lack of lubrication causing excessive friction on the internals of the engine, forcing it to stop running. The time it took you to replenish the oil allowed it to cool down enough to turn again and start.

I have to agree with Marc. I believe it only takes a quart or more to provide enough lubrication to keep the engine "alive". I see vehicles drive into my shop quiet often extremly low on oil but still running.

The level of the surface the vehicle may encounter, time for the oil to return to the pan, heat and contaminate disipation must be some of the reasons the capacity is what it is.