new PR, a flatbed, and a buddy yelling "you're on fire" = my last track day

After a simple oil cooler swap turned into a multi-day ordeal I managed to get my car put back together on Saturday morning in time for a Saturday afternoon/evening track day.  At my last track days one of our faster members offered to review some track video and offer some tips where I am behind on pace and his experience definitely worked.  My previous best at Autobahn south was 1:43 and this time I went 1:41.14 with an optimal of 1:40.54.  My goal this year was to get out of the 40's as that is kinda the standard definition of "quick" at ACC south.  I'm close and I have 2 more events this year to try and get there...  Here is a video of the lap.  

Then things went south...

In the last session as the sun was setting and feeling a bit tired I decided to grid towards the back of my group knowing that I wouldn't likely get a flyer lap and would probably spend alot of time in traffic...  As I was chasing down a fellow driver in a new Mk5 Supra going into Turn one I ended up losing the rear end instantly and sliding sideways across the track for a few feet and into the grass.  When it was safe I pulled back onto the track and as soon as I did the low oil pressure light came on so I pulled back into the grass and killed the engine...  After that my friend Dan pulled up along side and yelled "Dude you're car is on fire" While the car did light a bit of grass on fire it was just ALOT of smoke.  

When I installed the new oil cooler I suspect in an attempt to rerun the lines I kinked the AN lines damaging its internal integrity and while I removed the kink and inspected the line after a few test drives, the line eventually failed and appears to have done so catastrophically.  

I ended up having the car towed on a flatbed off the track and subsequently towed home.  After inspecting it yesterday it doesn't look like there is any damage other than the huge mess of oil on everything and the destroyed oil lines.  I drained whatever oil was left in the pan and removed the oil filter, the oil filter was full of oil and I poured it out over clean papertowels looking for any sign of damage but didn't see anything.  So my question is, fix it, put fresh oil and fresh filter on and send it or run it for a bit and inspect the oil again?  I.E. does 15-30 seconds of a hot motor running without oil represent any risk?  the car still had some oil as the oil filter was full and there was still some in the oil pan.  

Here is the raw video from my Garmin in the last session.  Since I didn't finish the lap it doesn't do the overlay...

Glad to hear the fire wasn't too extensive. I can imagine how scary it can be to have someone tell you that your car is on fire.

Colin Wood said:

Glad to hear the fire wasn't too extensive. I can imagine how scary it can be to have someone tell you that your car is on fire.

honestly i was in shock, i was still processing what happened and I didn't even get out of the car right away.  i didn't see fire just alot of smoke but the rescue folks said you could see fire behind the car.  

Right now i'm mostly worried did I damage the bearings in the motor.  

Firstly, glad you're okay and it looks like a tame off. Looks like you oiled up your own tires?

If the filter was full and you don't see glitter I'd run it.

iansane said:

Firstly, glad you're okay and it looks like a tame off. Looks like you oiled up your own tires?

If the filter was full and you don't see glitter I'd run it.

yeah that is what i'm thinking happened, the tires are not flat spotted (i know this because I had to push it around the garage yesterday) i'm assuming they are okay (hope so as they are pretty new)

as for the filter, I didn't cut it open (i can but i put it back on to reduce the drips from the port) but I poured out the oil in the filter onto clean paper towels and didn't see any glitter or anything, the oil was still somewhat tan...  

I'd cut the filter open and see if there is any glitter in it.

Cut open the filter and if you don't find anything run it.

wvumtnbkr said:

I'd cut the filter open and see if there is any glitter in it.

will do, assuming i don't find anything and assuming oil pressure is good when the car starts up again, is it safe to assume no excessive ware?

All in all, sounds like best case is a minor adventure and a good story with no damage.

Congratulations on activating the "automatic immediate car parking when the oil goes" feature. You were probably lucky to go off and shut it down versus driving a couple more laps with no oil.

Residual oil in the filter and pan, coupled with no shiny metal particles, makes me think you caught it in time.  I would patch it up and run it.  If it's a dual purpose car, you could put 50 street miles on it, then drain, inspect for metal, and fill again for security, but that's probably overkill.  Good on you for watching your instruments and making the correct choice.   Keep an eye on the oil pressure the first event or two, then back to normal. 

Looks like you caught it in time but you can cut open the filter to be sure. I'm also thinking you spun because your rear tires had already been oiled.

That's a bummer about your oil line, but it sounds like you may have gotten out of it with no damage. Here is my catalyst info. If you become my friend we can share data. It may be helpful since I'm am local to you.

I'm glad you're okay, that the fire and damage weren't worse, and as a bonus, that I think you mean "my most recent track day" and not "my last ever track day."

In reply to Racebrick :

Also local. C5, so it should be a good point of comparison.

Jesse Ransom said:

I'm glad you're okay, that the fire and damage weren't worse, and as a bonus, that I think you mean "my most recent track day" and not "my last ever track day."

Yeah when I read the title it sounded like he wrecked the car, got himself on fire, and was done with track days for life.

Jesse Ransom said:

I'm glad you're okay, that the fire and damage weren't worse, and as a bonus, that I think you mean "my most recent track day" and not "my last ever track day."

well said, my MOST recent track day; not my last...  

*update*

I removed the old filter went through the element and didn't see any metal of any types.  so with a new filter, oil, new oil lines, etc.  I was able to get the car started again.  with 5w30 mobil 1 oil I have 40PSI of oil pressure when its cold and 30psi when its got up to temp.  That is what I have always had.  I let the motor idle in the garage (all doors open) until the oil temp was 192 and felt the oil cooler get warm to ensure no leaks...  

no funny noises, good oil pressure, still hate dealing with the AN fittings next to the block

Car still smokes a bit as there is probably some residual oil that needs to be burned off but aside from that the motor appears to have survived.  

Great news you didn't nuke the motor.