Sometimes after you get an oil change your car may not run right. The engine might make new noises or the car may not drive smoothly. There are a few reasons why this can happen.
Here’s why your car is not running right after oil change:
1. Incorrect oil type
The use of incorrect oil type in your car causes your car not to run properly after an oil change.
Engine oils come in different viscosities and formulations, and each engine requires a specific type of oil to operate optimally.
Using the wrong oil type can lead to various problems including viscosity mismatch, incorrect oil additives, and engine stress.
Engines are designed to operate with a particular viscosity (thickness) of oil. Using oil with a viscosity that’s too thin or too thick for the engine can affect lubrication.
Thin oil might not provide adequate protection, leading to increased friction and wear on engine components. Thick oil prevents proper lubrication and flow, causing strain on the engine and reducing efficiency.
Different oils contain specific additives designed to enhance performance and protect engine parts.
Therefore using oil with incorrect additives or lacking essential components can compromise the engine’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures, prevent corrosion, and maintain cleanliness.
Also, an incorrect oil type can create excessive stress on engine components, leading to overheating, reduced fuel efficiency, and potentially causing damage over time.
The solution:
Consult with a mechanic to rectify the issue. They will drain and replace the oil with the appropriate type to prevent damage to the engine.
Always check the owner’s manual for the correct oil specifications.
Related: Car shaking when idle after oil change (Explained)
2. Low oil level or overfilling
A car may not run right after an oil change due to low oil level or overfilling.
When the oil level is too low, critical engine components may not receive proper lubrication. This lack of lubrication can lead to increased friction, overheating, and premature wear on engine parts.
Extended operation with low oil can cause severe engine damage, leading to costly repairs or even engine failure.
On the other hand, too much oil can result in the crankshaft whipping air into the oil, causing it to foam. This aerated oil loses its lubricating properties, leading to reduced oil pressure and potential damage to engine components.
Overfilling can put excess pressure on seals and gaskets, which leads to leaks that can create a mess and further reduce the oil level over time.
The solution:
Check the oil level using the dipstick or your car’s oil level indicator. If the oil level is too low or overfilled, drain or add oil as needed to reach the proper level according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
If unsure, consult a mechanic to rectify the oil level and prevent potential engine damage.
3. Oil filter issues
Issues with the oil filter during or after an oil change can affect your car’s performance.
A faulty or incorrectly installed oil filter can obstruct or restrict the flow of oil through the engine. This barrier in oil circulation can lead to inadequate lubrication of engine components, causing increased friction, heat, and potential damage.
Also, if the oil filter is damaged or improperly sealed, contaminants like dirt, debris, or old oil residue might bypass the filter and circulate through the engine.
This contamination can compromise engine performance and lead to accelerated wear and tear.
The solution:
Seek assistance from a mechanic to conduct a proper diagnosis and fix oil filter-related problems.
They will inspect the filter and its housing for proper installation, tightness, and signs of damage. The filter might need replacement or reinstallation if it is the problem. T
Draining and replacing the oil is necessary if contamination is suspected due to a faulty oil filter.
4. Loose or misaligned parts
Loose or misaligned parts within the engine or related to the oil system can cause your car not to run properly following an oil change.
This is due to loose drain plugs and misaligned gasket seals on the oil filter.
If the drain plug is not properly tightened after draining the old oil, it can result in oil leaks. This leakage can lead to a decreased oil level, causing inadequate lubrication and potential damage to the engine.
The gasket seals on the oil filter or the oil pan must be correctly aligned and in good condition. If these seals are damaged, not seated correctly, or missing, they can cause oil leaks, leading to reduced oil levels and insufficient lubrication.
The solution:
Check the oil drain plug to ensure it’s securely tightened. Inspect the gasket seals, particularly on the oil filter and oil pan, to confirm they are correctly aligned and seated.
If gasket seals are damaged, worn out, or missing, they should be replaced to prevent oil leaks.
If you are unsure about how to do this, consult a mechanic for proper diagnosis and resolution.
Related: Car jerks when accelerating after oil change (Here’s why)
5. Contaminated oil
Contaminated oil is oil that has been adulterated or compromised by the presence of foreign particles, debris, or residual substances.
Using contaminated oil or inadvertently introducing contaminants during an oil change can lead to various problems affecting the car’s performance including:
- Reduced lubrication efficiency: Contaminants in the oil can hinder its ability to lubricate engine components effectively. This can result in increased friction between moving parts, leading to premature wear and decreased engine performance.
- Damage to engine parts: Abrasive particles or debris in the oil can cause damage to sensitive engine parts, such as bearings or piston rings, accelerating their deterioration over time.
- Clogging of oil passages: Contaminants can obstruct oil passages, preventing the flow of oil to critical engine components. This restriction in oil flow can cause inadequate lubrication and overheating.
The solution:
Seek assistance from a mechanic to assess and rectify the issue effectively.
If contamination is the problem, they will drain and replace the oil with fresh, clean oil of the correct specification for your car.
In severe cases of contamination, an engine flush might be necessary to remove any residual contaminants and ensure proper lubrication.
6. Air intake issues
Air intake issues can impact your car’s performance following an oil change, although the direct connection between the two may not be obvious.
However, if any components related to the air intake system were inadvertently disturbed or damaged during the oil change process, it could lead to problems with your car’s operation.
The air intake system plays an important role in supplying the engine with the proper amount of air needed for combustion. If any components like hoses, sensors, or connections related to the air intake system are affected, it can result in an imbalance in the air-to-fuel ratio.
This imbalance can cause engine misfires, poor fuel combustion, and subsequently affect your car’s performance.
Disrupted airflow due to air intake issues can also lead to irregular engine idling or even cause the engine to stall, impacting your car’s ability to run smoothly.
The solution:
While air intake issues might not directly result from an oil change, ensuring that no components related to the air intake system were inadvertently affected or damaged during the oil change process is important.
If issues arise after an oil change, checking both the oil-related components and the air intake system can help diagnose and address any underlying problems affecting your car’s performance.
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose air intake issues.
The diagnosis involves checking the air intake system components, including hoses, connections, and air filters, for any visible damage, disconnections, or misalignments.
7. Underlying mechanical problems
Mechanical problems may coincide with or become known after an oil change. The problems are not directly related to the oil change itself but can occur at the time of the oil change.
Various mechanical problems unrelated to the oil change process that affect a car’s performance causing it to not run right include:
- Ignition system problems: Faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or other components within the ignition system can cause misfires, rough idling, or difficulties in starting the engine.
- Fuel system issues: Problems with the fuel pump, fuel injectors, or fuel filters can lead to poor fuel delivery, affecting engine performance and causing issues like hesitation, stalling, or reduced power.
- Electrical system malfunctions: Issues with the battery, alternator, or wiring can lead to electrical problems such as poor starting, dimming lights, or irregularities in various car functions.
- Exhaust system concerns: A damaged catalytic converter, muffler, or exhaust manifold can cause reduced engine efficiency, increased emissions, or loud noises from the exhaust system.
- Transmission problems: Transmission issues like slipping, harsh shifting, or delays in gear engagement can affect a car’s overall performance.
The solution:
If issues arise following an oil change, it’s important to consider that mechanical problems and oil related problems might be coincidental. Therefore this requires separate attention and diagnosis from the oil change-related concerns.
Addressing mechanical issues requires a thorough inspection and diagnosis by a qualified mechanic to help pinpoint and resolve any mechanical problems affecting your car’s performance.