weird noise when oil is low

[damnthecops]

hey guys... my car has about 156 k on it... so i think it might be burning a little bit of oil.... but heres the problem... there is a sound like the fan has leaves in it... but it dsnt i checked... but i noticed the oil light came on so i put oil and the noise stopped... now when i drive and i start to hear the noise again... after a few hours of hearing the noise the oil lamp turns on..... so r my rings or bearings starting to go ?.... or what... also i just got it inspected and it passed all emissions wiht below average results... so it might not be burning oill... n e help would be appreaciatedomar:ylsuper

[sixxdeuce]

wow, that doesnt sound good, the light usually doesnt come on unless it is really low, how much oil did it take to get it up to the right level? Do you notice any smoke coming out the tail pipe? Are you sure that you are not leaking oil, I would have this checked out, its not really a good idea to keep driving untill your engine is so low on oil that it makes funny noises.

[R240NA]

wow, that doesnt sound good, the light usually doesnt come on unless it is really low, how much oil did it take to get it up to the right level? Do you notice any smoke coming out the tail pipe? Are you sure that you are not leaking oil, I would have this checked out, its not really a good idea to keep driving untill your engine is so low on oil that it makes funny noises.

NO. The light comes on when PRESSURE is low, not LEVEL. Please do not confuse the two.

[damnthecops]

no its not burning oil... at least not any visable smoke is coming out. and it usually only take one quart(1 bottle) to make the sound stop.... i was wondering if i shld use n e of that foam stuff i forgto what its called but it like seals up n e cracks or chips in the block

[1dollar240]

Quote »NO. The light comes on when PRESSURE is low, not LEVEL. Please do not confuse the two.[/quote]

True. But low level can cause low pressure. Im living in oil leak hell myself right now. The street in front of my house looks like a dalmation.

[1dollar240]

BTW- your weird noise is most likely valve train noise. When there is a lower oil level, there is little or no oil in the head, causing the cam/springs/valves/valve guides etc. . to make noise.

[damnthecops]

so is this bad should i get it checked out?... or what

[RYNO_s13]

Any strange noise is not good. You may not be burning oil, but it sounds like you're leaking. DO NOT put any kind of leak stopper in your engine. That CRAP is made to fix the symptom, not the disease. If it is a small oil leak, it could be a seal, etc. Chase the lfeak and go from there.

[groundhogday1976]

Break down a big cardboard box and stick it under your motor. Check it after a few hours. That way you can see if it is leaking and if so where it's coming from. Often you can do this and track any leaks down. Try that and get back to us.

[GodDrivesA240sx]

Yeah your lifters are ticking because you have almost no oil. 1 quart probley isn't enough to put back in. Have you checked it after you put the oil in? You need 3 3/4 pints of oil (including oil filter) to fill your engine. You already have some oil in it though so you won't need that much. Now I've confused myself :smoker

[bruinbear714]

BTW- your weird noise is most likely valve train noise. When there is a lower oil level, there is little or no oil in the head, causing the cam/springs/valves/valve guides etc. . to make noise.

And any noise in the valvetrain due to low pressure oil = metal grinding.

[MaineExport]

so is this bad should i get it checked out?... or what

I'm concernaed about your crackpot logic.

Hmmmm... it makes noise, so I'll fill it with oil until it stops making the noise... can't be too serious.

Did you ever think to check your oil level?

Yes you should get it checked out, you seem to lack the skills to diagnose the problem yourself. Or you could just let it be and see what happens.

[damnthecops]

wow ur a ****.... im still learning **** baout cars... just asking if i shld get it checked out or if its somethign small and i cld fix it myself... ****thats for your help

[MaineExport]

wow ur a ****.... im still learning **** baout cars... just asking if i shld get it checked out or if its somethign small and i cld fix it myself... ****thats for your help

HA... I guess that did sound a little bitter... wasn't meant to. My point is that checking your oil is a skill that everybody should have before being allowed to drive.

But seriously, check your oil, don't just add oil and hope that the problem is solved. Get it checked out.

[damnthecops]

ok then if u didnt mean it sorry for being a ****... i checked the dipstick... the oil is black... so its dirty... but it has enough oil... its passed the line but the noise only gets louder till i put oil in

[bruinbear714]

ok then if u didnt mean it sorry for being a ****... i checked the dipstick... the oil is black... so its dirty... but it has enough oil... its passed the line but the noise only gets louder till i put oil in

Do you have a dent in your oil pan? Cause if you do, it'll cause the oil level to be higher than it really is.

Do an oil change first. Your filter could be so clogged the bypass valve is open so the oil is getting through unfiltered.

[groundhogday1976]

Have the engine flushed when you get the oil changed, too. If it's really that dirty, you'll need it.

[Onizuka]

Ive been wanting to flush my engine just for maintinance. I have been told you can use alcohol and then you let it dry out. please tell me if this is the correct method ( and no im not mechanicly inept i've just never flushed out an engine)

[dareo]

alcohol? Interesting idea, make sure its pure alchohol not the 30% water stuff. Water drying out in an engine isnt a good idea. But 100% alchohol, fill it all the way up, let it sit for an hour, drain it for at least an hour, and your flushed. Maybe...i've never done it or talked to anyone that has.

[trpower7]

NO NO NO NO NO. Don't do that. Those "15 minute flush" gigs from AutoZone work just fine, or you can have a shop do it. The instructions on the can are very self explanatory.

[dareo]

Thats a good point, they do make engine flush products, why risk trying alchohol?

[Altiman94]

Seafoam works wonders. GO to your local auto store and ask for it.