Diesel engine knocking after low oil. Any thoughts?

[swiftpete]

Hello, I have an 03 Renault trafic. Yesterday when I started it the oil light started flashing. I hadn't checked it for several weeks but was still a bit surprised it was that low. Anyway I checked the oil to find it was just below min but there was some showing. I drove to the nearest place I could get oil, which was about 3-4 miles away as gently as possible. Filled it with 5w40 fully synthetic diesel oil. Drove 10 miles home and there is now a rattly knocking sound coming from the engine. I don't trust driving it as it doesn't sound good at all.
Apart from me being a moron for driving it in with low oil, any thoughts on what I may have done? I know without seeing it its not possible to say for sure, but is this new engine time? The timing of this means I'm going to struggle to get anyone to look at it for a few days due to bank holiday.
Thanks for advice in advance.

[Megaflow]

Low oil + rattling knocking sound = knackered main / big end bearings.

An expensive lesson.

[swiftpete]

Thanks for reply, so how much of a job is it if thats the problem to get sorted?

[Hugo a Gogo]

new/2nd hand engine is easiest

if you have a low oil LEVEL light it means check the oil

a low oil PRESSURE light means 'stop now'

[swiftpete]

I didn't get the low oil pressure light, just the check oil level light. Anyway driving it like that was obviously not a good thing to do, i guess a weekly oil check is the thing to do. Thanks for replies.

[Super Slo Mo]

I would be surprised if you've managed to wreck the engine by running the oil just below the minimum mark.

When you say you filled it, I am safe to assume you mean to the upper mark on the dipstick, right? You've checked the obvious stuff like the filler cap is back on, and there's nothing loose under the bonnet (or in the back!)?

Knocking/rattling can be symptomatic of other problems, fuel related for one. What kind of noise is it? Low pitched clunks? High pitched rattle? How does it compare with the combustion noise? Also, does it increase with engine speed?

Your best bet is to get it into a decent garage and let them check it over.

[swiftpete]

Hi, yes I filled to the top of the dipstick. It's not really rattly, it is more of a knocking, banging sound so I'm preparing myself for the worst, although also crossing my fingers and hoping I've not completely knackered the engine. I need the van to make a living which makes me even more of an idiot for letting it get like this. I am kicking myself for not checking the oil more frequently as I'm normally pretty regular checking that. I didn't think it would drop that low that quickly though as it was ok several weeks ago but then I have been driving it quite a bit lately and moving some heavy stuff.
Anyway I'm towing it into a garage today so will update when I know just what I've done to it.

Edited by swiftpete on Friday 1st June 09:40

[Super Slo Mo]

It might be an engine mount.

Anyway, fingers crossed it's nothing serious.

[InertialTooth45]

I had a bad knocking sound, turned out to be the auxiliary belt pulley falling apart (had an inner and outer ring held together by rubber which had perished). So it's not always big trouble.

[Evoluzione]

I agree with Slowmo, running at the low level wouldn't have caused btm end failure - not unless you were driving round the Nurburgring at the time.

[coetzeeh]

swiftpete said:

Hi, yes I filled to the top of the dipstick.

Edited by swiftpete on Friday 1st June 09:40

I hope that was just a poor choice of words...

[swiftpete]

Yes, I meant to the max mark. Anyway the good news is the engine is fine, engine mounts were the cause, one bolt had snapped and two had bent. The knocking was the engine resting on the subframe. All sorted now and didnt cost a lot either. Thanks for advice from everyone.

[Megaflow]

Good news. Either a massive coincidence the last mount bolt failed at the same/similar time, or the knocking had been there before and you hadn't noticed.

[swiftpete]

I don't know, it was pretty loud though, it definitely hadn't always been like that. I suspect the failure of one accelerated the failure of the others and caused to work loose and bend. Anyway it's all good now.

[Willhook]

If it's knocking then depending on what's happened to the crank journals then you might be able to get away with just new big end shells.

[COLE2168]

Hi Im new here so please be gentle!!

I have a similar problem

I was parked on a very steep camber the other day for about 5hrs. When i returned to my Trafic DCi (2004) and started it it made a really loud rattling / banging noise that stopped shortly after. The engine now just seems to sound a lot louder (more like a diesel that it normally does??)

At home I checked under the hood to find bits of belt and have since changed the accessory belt but still it sounds louder.

Any Ideas?? I hope I havent buggered the engine.

Oh oil level was fine. Van was parked in direction of traffic with camber on passenger side.

Thanks in advance.

[PaulKemp]

I would think it's the belt tensioner or idler, probably the reason the belt shredded in the first place

[porka911t]

cole I had a similar issue took to southern engines and the auxiliary belt had failed putting bits of belt in to cam belt and jumping a tooth. this apparently allowed the valve contact engine still ran in my case but was very noisy they fitted belt kit and a o problem fixed result.

PS Do not run it too long you will destroy it.

[porka911t]

Should you not add RMS to the page (rear main oil seal leaks)