Oh dear! Triangle of Death! No oil! Help!

OK, here's my horror story, earlier this evening I was heading over to a friend's house, and about 6 miles away I was on the highway (going at the speed limit (65mph)) and all of a sudden the Great Triangle of Death came on! . I slowed down, and noticed the ICE water temp had crept up to 275F . I slowed down and got to my friend's house. Checked the oil and found the dip-stick bone dry, but the underside of the car was covered with oil. (…which might have explained the car passing me on the highway flashing it's lights (…what was the driver trying to tell me?))

Called AAA and they arrived within 20mins eek. The car would get to "Ready" but within a few seconds "On" would come the Great Triangle of Death, so I was able to move the car and get it into "Neutral" so it could be dragged onto the flat-bed. So, off to the Toyota dealer, and we'll see what they have to say tomorrow morning. The car was serviced at the beginning of February, and I'm worried that they might have not tightened something or left something off after the recent service.

I saw there were a couple of codes flagged in the ScanGauge (I didn't make a note, but will when I return in the a.m.)

I'm just praying the engine isn't trashed!

 

Toyota of Nashua, Jan 23rd, done about 1600 miles since service. I checked the oil the very next day to make sure it hadn't been over-filled.
Thanks for your good wishes!

 

I'm expecting to hear "…there's nothing wrong with your car that a brand-new replacement wouldn't fix!"
I've been a very good customer of theirs for 27 years!
…we'll see!

 

…good point! (…first job when I arrive in the a.m.)

 

Latest news! Extra, extra, read all about it!

Diagnosis: Water-pump bearing seized, serpentine belt shredded, destroying water-pump. Coolant escaped! (…it wasn't oil on underside of car, but coolant & dirt - sounds about right as it was a pinkish-orangey colour). ICE water temp soared. Triangle of Death came on (driven by excess temp. etc etc).

This a.m. dealer started car, no problems, oil at "full" mark. (??) 5 hours labour to fix, luckily they have all parts in stock. Dealer thinks no damage done to motor, but will check everything. So, in 5 hours time (and handing over ~$1K) TheChuggyPig will be back in action! (…I hope!)

 

Thanks!
165½K miles

 

I asked about that, but they said that I looked at the dip-stick just after the engine had stopped, and most of the oil hadn't yet drained down into the sump (…which seems a reasonable explanation!). Also, the failing water-pump bearing explains the slight "whirring/squeaking" I had been noticing coming from behind the glove compartment on the passenger side! (…poor ChuggyPig was trying to tell me that she wasn't well, and I like the dumb-shit that I am, took not the slightest notice!¹ )

¹ LESSON: …and the lesson, here, folks is learn all the noises, whirrs, clicks, and bangs which your car makes as you get used to driving it! In doing so, you will get used to the "right" sound, and be ready to take action sooner rather than later if anything is amiss! (…you have been warned!!)

 

…precisely!

 

Me too! Me too! (see post # 10 )