Q&A

 Rookie

My Engine has about 147,000 miles on it. I recently replaced the water pump. The timing chain was replaced at about 80,000 miles. The engine has always needed another quart about every 500 miles since I bought the car new. The "Check Engine" light came on, 4000 miles after last oil change and I just added a quart the prior week. Once I pulled over about 10 minutes after I realized there really was a problem, the engine died. I was traveling downhill and noticed when I pressed the accelerator pedal, the car would not respond. I turned off the radio and would hear a rough idle as if a piston was missed. I noticed the Check Engine light had come on too. I pulled to the side and the engine died just before a bridge toll booth. I was watching the temperature and it did not go up more than usual. I checked the fluids and just waited for Caltrans to tow me. I have been told I let the oil run out, but there was a bit of oil on the dipstick and the oil light has always come on before when the oil was low. Now that I have the car home, oil is definitely on the dipstick. Any suggestions?