how long can an engine run without oil before damage
No, you will still be creating damage with no oil pressure regardless, but I have seen engines run with no oil for a while. I had an AMC 258 in a Sprint where I blew the #6 rod out of the block, lost all the oil, and it still ran for a good 10-15 minutes until I shut it off!f the engine is really old and loose, you probably have low oil pressure not 'no' oil pressure. Keep it full of oil and don't push it too hard and it might run for a long time. If you really have no oil pressure the engine will freeze up faster than I can answer this question. bob_whelan1944 Â· 9 years ago. Thumbs up.