how long can an engine run without oil?

Last week I was on my way home from work and the engine started running extremely bad, so I got off the interstate at the next exit (less than a mile) and pulled into a parking lot. An initial inspection revealed oil all over the place under the suburban ('99, k1500, 4x4, 5.7L) and on the left side of the engine (driver position). I checked the oil level with the dipstick and there was none, zip, zero, .....

I assumed that I had split an oil cooler hose/fitting so I had it towed home. Upon further inspection the oil cooler lines were intact, but the oil filter was gone!!

I always get my oil changed at the firestone shop down the street, for $15 or whatever they charge its not worth my time to do it myself. So I called the manager and had the suburban towed in to the shop. They are looking at it to determine if they are liable under warranty for the engine damage.

The next day I drove the route I had taken from work, expecting to see a line of oil leading up to the point of failure, but there was none. I didn't find the oil filter along side the road anywhere either!?!

I was about seven miles from work when the engine faltered. At highway speeds the oil pump would have drained the oil pan in minutes from the time the filter came loose. How long after it was out of oil would the engine fail? immediately?

Impossible question to answer, the design and overall condition of the engine would dictate the time that the engine would survive, damage can be done with no immediate apparent symptoms, scored cylinder walls or bearings, 2 months later, knocks. Get in writing some promise from them to repair related damage to engine for some reasonable period of time.

I would like to know why the oil light did not come on or engine temp . I had a friend drive from boston to ny city had oil changed prior to trip engine started to run hot added 4quarts of oil 200 miles engine never ran good after that, and oil change shop said sue me! because it was old vehicle he decided it was not worth it...........

You may never find that filter or oil strip. As soon as the filter lost good contact with the housing, oil began to flow. You may have run out of oil long before you realize, but you had no warning light?