Is there a link between running rough and being low on oil?

[danieldialtone]

My car was running real rough and then i checked the oil and it was real low so i put more in and it was running alot better. I also found a vacuum leak and put that hose back on and it was running better then ever. was it the vacuum leak or the low oil or both? the vacuum line went to the dist. and to somewhere around the carb.

[Petros]

Welcome to the list.

vacuum leaks are notorious for causing rough idle, poor running.

It would have to be so low on oil that it does not show on dip stick, after it runs dry it would do so much damage to the bearings it would run rough, and knock badly. but at that point adding oil would not stop it, it is too late. Engine needs replacement. NEVER let it run dry of oil, if you ever see oil light come on, STOP ENGINE NOW! Even a minute with out oil in the bearings and it will wreck the engine.

All the dip stick tells you is the reserve oil capacity in the engine oil sump, it does not mean the engine is actually starved for oil. If it was low on the dip stick, it just means the reserve oil capacity is low, not that it ran without oil.