BG-Auto: Ran over a Curb

[Eanae]

Went out to the store late tonight, and half-asleep I ended up going over a curb, scraping the entire bottom of my car. Now the car is loud while driving it (I'd assume that'd be the muffler being busted?) and the check engine light is on. Any ideas on what could have broken and best and worst case repair costs? It's a 2001 Hyundai Accent.

[Dezzimal]

Muffler is a pretty cheap repair job, less than 200bux if it needs to be replaced I believe. Should have turned on your driving bot lololol

[Pikarya]

Two things automatically in my mind.

1. Oil pan just got fucked, losing pressure/oil.
2. Catalytic converter collapsed internally, causing blockage/restricted pressure from the debris is causing the sensor to pop up.

I've had a few drunk friends do this commonly, each time it was either of the things I just listed since they both (depending on how the car hit) are extremely sensitive to shock/hit/scrape.

[Eanae]

Two things automatically in my mind.

1. Oil pan just got fucked, losing pressure/oil.
2. Catalytic converter collapsed internally, causing blockage/restricted pressure from the debris is causing the sensor to pop up.

I've had a few drunk friends do this commonly, each time it was either of the things I just listed since they both (depending on how the car hit) are extremely sensitive to shock/hit/scrape.

How much would the parts for either of those run? I wouldn't need to bring it to a shop as I know someone who could repair it given the parts.

[Pikarya]

How much would the parts for either of those run? I wouldn't need to bring it to a shop as I know someone who could repair it given the parts.

Well both are going to cost you decently + labor. As for if that is the issue 100% I'm not sure, neither will anyone on BG be. Could be 50 other things depending on the conditions of the damage. I would highly suggest to stop driving it for the time being, and take it to a respectable (not some shop that is going to charge you galore for other non-needed things) and get an estimate ASAP.

The longer you wait/or drive on it, the more damage that could occur and just cost you more down the road. Especially if it really is the oil pan (check your oil, or have someone do it for you while the car is turned off and warmed up) just to make sure. Driving with a damaged cat is 50% better in the long run to a mechanic/shop than driving on a motor with no oil in the crankcase lol.

[Eanae]

I just went out and checked.

1) The muffler looks fine
2) There's oil in the engine
3) There was a puddle under the front drivers side. There was some ice and icicle build up, so either the puddle was from that melting, or whatever is dripping froze into an icicle. (edit: It had no smell to it, so I think it probably just is water)

[Brill Weave]

1. Oil pan just got fucked, losing pressure/oil.

If I had to put money on anything it would be this as well. The first thing I thought of. It's not horribly expensive, but it will set you back a few bucks.

[Eanae]

Labor costs isn't an issue if it's anything a mechanic could fix at home.

Edit: Also, I checked the liquid underneath, and it had no smell, so I think it's probably just water.

[Cochise]

If the symptoms are loud exhaust and engine light on, then you most likely cracked the exhaust and jerked the O2 sensor wire off (no homo)... look at the catalytic converter and see if the wire is still connected to it.

[wyrmtung]

it could be that the pedestrian you ran over. I would clear out all all the scalps and fingers from underneath and see if you see any improvement.

[Cadsuane]

My money's on a muffler O ring seal being busted and a destroyed O2 sensor, which could run you about 300-400. Worst thing that could've happened is a cracked exhaust manifold from the pipe being jostled, which would explain the engine light as there's usually an O2 sensor on that as well.. Oil pan repair would be a bit cheaper if it turns out to be that, but it wouldn't make your car run louder so I doubt that's it. Also check return lines to the radiator if it hangs low on your vehicle.

If the noise is coming from under your hood you should investigate the manifold, which should be between the motor and the radiator if the engine is transverse mounted and to the right or left of the motor if not. If it's cracked, that's your issue. Be careful since it'll be really really hot if the car's been running at all recently.

[Eanae]

Had a family member run a diagnostic, and its pretty much just a busted tail pipe. Also found a problem with the drive shaft sensor which explains preexisting problems.

[Melchiah]

My money's on a muffler O ring seal being busted and a destroyed O2 sensor, which could run you about 300-400. Worst thing that could've happened is a cracked exhaust manifold from the pipe being jostled, which would explain the engine light as there's usually an O2 sensor on that as well.. Oil pan repair would be a bit cheaper if it turns out to be that, but it wouldn't make your car run louder so I doubt that's it. Also check return lines to the radiator if it hangs low on your vehicle.

If the noise is coming from under your hood you should investigate the manifold, which should be between the motor and the radiator if the engine is transverse mounted and to the right or left of the motor if not. If it's cracked, that's your issue. Be careful since it'll be really really hot if the car's been running at all recently.

I dunno who puts O-rings on devices that reach operating temperatures of 600-1000 F.

[FNH]

I dunno who puts O-rings on devices that reach operating temperatures of 600-1000 F.

they make metal o and c rings for sealing also.

[Elesirdur]

O2 sensors screw into a threaded bung and usually (to my recall at least) have a copper ring sealing the top of the threaded bit.

On a side note, a damaged oil pan is not something to be taken lightly. Lose too much oil or have oil pressure drop too much and you can completely fuck your engine. If you suspect the oil pan has been hit and is leaking, go get a replacement asap.

[Cadsuane]

I dunno who puts O-rings on devices that reach operating temperatures of 600-1000 F.

A steel ring in a circular groove plus a gooey red sealant whose name I forget is what you find between exhaust pipe segments typically.

[Melchiah]

O-ring typically refers to a polyurethane rubber ring. A copper washer is a copper washer, not an o-ring. O-rings are used to seal up liquid systems like AC or cooling, not exhaust.

O-rings are also torus-shaped, whereas copper washers have a flat surface. They serve two different functions and are designed specifically to seal in a certain way.

[Senoska]

I actually just did this too but I hit that curb at 20mph dead fucking on. Showed that curb. Wont ever fuck with me again.

[Jotaru]

I ran over a chunk of ice this morning and ripped off a brake line. Ripped the shit right off.

Fuck curbs, I decimate ice, bitches. Now my car needs a brand new line from front to rear (its one piece on mine) and I have to tow it wherever because I can't stop it.

Oh, and it won't start. Started fine this morning, shop can't get it started again. They think its the ($270 to replace) starter.

Don't mess with ice chunks.

[Militant]

O2 sensors screw into a threaded bung and usually (to my recall at least) have a copper ring sealing the top of the threaded bit.

On a side note, a damaged oil pan is not something to be taken lightly. Lose too much oil or have oil pressure drop too much and you can completely fuck your engine. If you suspect the oil pan has been hit and is leaking, go get a replacement asap.

This, check under where the car is parked in the morning. If you find oil, I would advise you not to drop the car, as you likely have a cracked/leaking oil pan. Not sure what an Oil pan costs for your car, shouldn't be too much, and even if you have no experience working on car's it's an easy fix assuming you know how to do something simple like an oil change. You'll need to get under the car, a simple hand jack and a jack-stand will do fine for this. You'll want to drain the oil completely by taking off the drain plug in the oil pan, when its all out, remove all the bolts in the oil pan. Replace with the new oil-pan and oil pan gasket, change your oil filter, and refill the car with new oil.

The check engine light could also be on if you cracked your downstream 02 sensor. The downstream 02 sensor checks to see if the catalytic converter is doing its job. If either the sensor is damaged, or the cat is damaged, this could cause the light to go on as well. The sensor is relatively cheap, but Cat's can be pretty fuckin' expensive depending on the car.

You can also replace a cat relatively easy if you can get under the car, just need to remove a few bolts (which can be a little tricky to get to, depending on placement, not super familiar with your particular car), take the old one out, put the new one in between your exhaust manifold, and the rest of the exhaust system, bolt it up, and rock on.

Edit; didnt see you had a family member check it out. A busted muffler alone would not cause a check engine light to come on, unless by muffler, you mean the catalytic converter, which comes before the muffler. Not a cheap part. Also I'm not sure what he means by drive shaft sensor, FWD cars don't have "drive-shafts". Does he mean wheel speed sensor? That would cause the ABS light to come on and the ABS system to cease to function until it is repaired (if ABS equipped).