Help!! knocking sound??
 

Yesterday I had driven my car several times and everything was well. Then I went to start it after it had set for several hours and had a loud knocking sound from right bank. After it had run for about 30-40 seconds, the knock stopped. I checked my oil and it was about 2 qts low. I added oil and haven't heard the knocking sound since. I do seem to have a little more valve noise (ticking) from that side than before. My question is...am I screwed?? or did I barely dodge a very costly bullet??

I still feel a bit nausious from that awful knocking sound, and now have even more "engine noise paranoia"!!

Anyone?? I'm dyin' over here!!

bump...

Why not pull the valve covers and check things out? At the very least adjust those clicking valves.

Loud knocks are never good from the engine. Generally means a spun bearing.

2 qts low should not have caused the problem, but how did it get so low? 2 Qts low does not even show on the dipstick does it?

I'm curious as to how you knew it was 2 qts. low if you'd only run it a few seconds. I think it would have appeared to be low on oil with the endine that cold. Knocking, as opposed to ticking, is not a good thing. I don't think a single broken head stud would cause a knocking sound...correct? I'd tread carefully here whatever you do...don't want to make things worse.

I agree with Kurt, if it were a rod knock it would not go away. However I cant understand how two qts. would cause your issues. Was the engine warm and did you check the oil with the engine running on a level surface? I never knew of a main that was spun that quit knocking. As stated I wouldnt start it until I found out what it is.

A cool engine will sometimes make an alarming knocking sound as the "headers" bang against the heat exchanger. The next time you fire it up, start the car, get underneath on that side and grab the heat exchanger with your hand to check. Don't burn yourself.