Engine rod knock - possibly

[Apotheosis]

Was driving on the highway when I noticed a "ticking" sound in my car, shortly before that the oil pressure light had flickered on. Notice I am not blowing any smoke, but it felt like I was having transmission problems.

I get to the gas station which I was near when the whole noise started, and stopped the car. Immediately bought two quarts of oil, because I thought, "oh shit" possible engine damage. After checking the stick, and seeing that the oil was lower than it should be, I put both quarts in, it was defintiely burning oil. My thoughts were to get oil in engine ASAP. The oil was definitely low.

The noise is gone, but I am left with a sinking feeling that something really bad happened. Taking the vehicle in tomorrow, but wondering if I should expect a massive bill.

The noise doesn't happen anymore, and I am listening carefully, but generally any noise in engine = bad news.

[Gan]

A rod knock would sound regardless of oil pressure or level.

There are so many things on a motor nowdays that can 'tick'. You might have heard rocker arms clacking which can (or used to) get noisy with low oil or thin oil.

Just the thought alone that it was 2 quarts low would be a heavy indicator that your engine needs help, or its been way beyond time to change your oil.

Then again, it just could be that you need a new 'muffler bearing'. :whistle:

[Alfster]

check your blinker fluid, I bet that's the problem.

[Gan]

The noise doesn't happen anymore, and I am listening carefully, but generally any noise in engine = bad news.

All things considered, engines are noisey machines. Depending on how many cylinders, you can imagine that there's a tiny explosion occurring for each cylinder on an average greater than 500 to 1000 times per minute (rpm) per cylinder at idle rpm's. Higher rates during driving rpm's.

Now add a bunch of internal moving parts sliding around on bearings, guides, races, sleeves, and bushings all lubricated by oil. Things like pistons, rods, crankshaft, camshaft(s), pushrods, rocker arms, valves, valve springs as well as accessory components such as water pump, oil pump, smog pump, alternator, power steering pump, turbo charger, supercharger, and a transmission which has lots of gears, levers, shift converter, and a spinning drive shaft which also connects to a ring and pinion gear for your rear wheel drive car, or a transaxle and CV joints for your front wheel drive car, or both for a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Yes, its a noisy thing indeed. I'm betting you meant to say 'abnormal' or 'unusual' engine noise. Thats what I listen for, as well as unusual pauses during accelleration or driving speeds.

A competent mechanic will be able to pull off the computer code that your check engine light lit up with which will help diagnose the problem, providing he cant tell by experience whats wrong as you drive up the driveway to his shop.

Lets hope the damage is minimal and the most you're out by is the charge for an oil change and new filter.

[Jazuela]

I have a ticking sound too, but I know it's just my serpentine belt. I need to replace it, it's worn out. I get rattling sounds too, but that's the shield under the exhaust pipe down in the middle of the truck. One of these days I'll take it off, maybe the next time I change my oil since I'll be underneath the truck then anyway. Same problem with my last truck. I think they put those shields on there just to annoy the piss out of drivers.

[Doughboy]

Easiest way to find out where the tick may be from...Find a solid metal object...longer the better. Big damn screwdriver, lug wrench, whatever. Stick one end on the engine where you think it may be coming from, the other end to your ear and listen. Generally any really odd noise will be very, very easy to hear. ALL engines will tick, knock, whatever you want to call it. There is no getting around it. Like Ganalon said, each time a cylinder fires, theres a small explosion inside of the engine. You probably should get an oil change, do basic maintenance and see if theres any leaks or what have you that may have caused your oil to be low. Try adding Seafoam engine additive/cleaner before the change. That stuff is god damn amazing.

[Gan]

If you're going to use a screwdriver, make sure its a big/long one so you dont give yourself a lobotomy by leaning down by the engine fan... and also dont stick the pointy end on or next to a sparkplug wire when its up to your ear... when you come to after about 5 minutes you'll figure out why it knocked the pudding out of you.

I have a cheap stethescope that I ripped off the drum and shoved a metal rod (cut off screwdriver) into the tip and use that to help deduce where that internal noise is coming from. Just remember, thats a shade tree mechanic routine that helps me discern if its time to take the car to a professional. Professionals use those too, but they have a better idea of where and what to listen for.

[Apathy]

Is the car old? What does the ticking sound like? Can you smell burning oil or are you just losing oil? Check the oil pan underneath for holes - check the bolt that closes the hole you use to change the oil, it could be loose. Oil has a very distinct smell when it is burning, you'll be able to smell it anywhere near or inside the car. Look for any oily areas under the hood, like on the engine or under it. Look at your belt (I hope you have a belt), does it look faded and cracked? Is the ticking there when you have the A/C off? Are your engine mounts loose and there's just a vibration? When was the last time you replaced the plugs and the alternator? Pay attention to your engine heat monitor, does it heat up way too fast or get hotter than it used to? Also, check your coolant level.

Since you mentioned it, how does the car shift? Oil and transmission aren't really directly related, maybe it could use a flush.

Just from what you posted I think your engine needs tuning, especially if its an automatic. Getting the gear ratios back to where they should be will extend your engine life significantly.

[Jack]

If you're driving a pushrod engine with hydraulic lifters, when the oil level/pressure is low, the lifters will collapse, and you'll hear a ticking or clattering type of sound. By driving like that, you've probably done some damage to the engine, but nothing you'll notice right away. Probably just took 10-20k miles off your engine life.....

As an engine ages, it starts burning oil. There's absolutely nothing you can do about that. The valve seals wear, valve guides wear, piston rings wear, and oil seeps into the cumbustion chamber through these. Just because you aren't blowing out huge clouds of blue smoke, it doesn't mean you aren't burning some oil. Just keep an eye on your oil level, and don't let it drop that low.

If you've got an oil leak get it fixed. Oil leaks can be expensive, depending on where it leaks from, and what type of engine/transmission combination you have. For example, the rear main seal on a front wheel drive ES300 is 10 hours labor plus 110 dollars in parts, so about 1110 dollars at our shop. Same seal on a rear wheel drive LS400 is 4 hours labor, roughly the same in parts. Valve cover gaskets, another usual suspect for oil leaks, are anywhere from 2 hours labor, to six. Cam Seals, and Crankshaft Seals are about six hours labor. Sometimes it's better just to dump a quart of oil into your engine every few days if the car you are driving isn't worth as much as the repairs it needs...

[Sean of the Thread]

Jack is spot on.

[Apotheosis]

It's not a major oil leak. Car is fine, taking it to mechanic tomorrow for standard maintenance.

[radamanthys]

for some reason I found the phrase "knock the pudding out of you" really funny.

It's been a long day.

[Tsa`ah]

Seafoam is not going to do a thing for a tick or knock. It's used to decarb your intake. Which will return some lost power to your engine.

[Apotheosis]

definitely low on blinker fluid thanks ;)