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Low oil light and rattle in the engine.


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prohandyman4172
New User

Feb 1, 2014, 7:46 AM

Post #1 of 11 (3085 views)
Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

2004 Ford F150 2wd with 4.6L v8 and 130,000 miles

Forum,

My truck has sat mostly cold for about 10 days in weather down to the single digits. I've started it almost daily for about 10 minutes with no driving (ice covered, hilly, driveway).

Now, when I drive it (only once) I have a rattle in the engine and the oil pressure gauge falls to zero. It will go to normal and things sound fine when it starts, but within a minute or two it will drop to zero, the light comes on, and the rattle starts. This problem actually started a few days before the cold snap set in.

The oil has been checked regularly and has been at the right level. I did mistakenly overfill it a little last night thinking, apparently incorrectly, that the something was reading wrong and it was actually low on oil.

I am thinking it's a problem with an oil pump or something but cars just aren't my thing.

Any ideas? Thanks big time in advance for any advice.


kev2
Veteran
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Feb 1, 2014, 7:58 AM

Post #2 of 11 (3078 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

 Ideally you will need to install a mechinical oil pressure gauge to confirm the ACTUAL oil pressure- the dash gauges are NOT accurate.

Some thoughts - you are using correct oil as called for in manual?
- 2004 is 10years - but there was a issue with oil filters- using low quality ones would cause a loss of prime hopefully I will find the TSB or one of my colleagues will remember the complete issue and post. BUT the gauge check is still advised


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 1, 2014, 7:59 AM

Post #3 of 11 (3078 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

That's nothing sport. 123, wrong oil, not changed enough or on time possible sludge.


Other: If driveway is on a slope, car parked not level and low on oil it could be just enough to pool at and end of oil pan sump can't reach and what it does when cold doesn't return fast enough. You are killing this engine if not already IMO.


Try changing out oil for exactly what it calls for and hope there's no damage. Oil pump failure or whatever reason for warning on oil is fatal to your pocket and engine,


T



prohandyman4172
New User

Feb 1, 2014, 8:21 AM

Post #4 of 11 (3062 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

It sits level on the pad by the house, the oil gets changed at least every 5,000 miles, but I did use 10w30 oil the last time when I'm pretty sure it calls for 5w20. If I made a fatal mistake so be it, but could this be the issue?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 1, 2014, 8:32 AM

Post #5 of 11 (3058 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

The fatal mistake would be not shutting the engine off immediately when that light comes on.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



prohandyman4172
New User

Feb 1, 2014, 8:43 AM

Post #6 of 11 (3051 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

I get that possibility but before I go to the garage, would using the different oil be the main cause?


Discretesignals
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Feb 1, 2014, 8:44 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3051 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

I agree with you HT. If the engine is rattling and your gauge is zero, bearings and internal rotating components are being trashed. It would be like going down a dry water park slide with no clothes on.


edit:

What kind and weight oil? That engine requires 5w-20.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 1, 2014, 8:50 AM)


prohandyman4172
New User

Feb 1, 2014, 8:49 AM

Post #8 of 11 (3041 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

Advance Auto 10w30


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 1, 2014, 8:53 AM

Post #9 of 11 (3038 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

Honesty, even though that is the wrong viscosity, it shouldn't cause your symptoms. You got something else going on such as what was stated above. You really should have it towed to a repair shop for diagnosis.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 1, 2014, 9:00 AM

Post #10 of 11 (3030 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

Right now you have an undetermined pressure problem that can be resolved. That will quickly develop into a blown motor if the engine is run that way.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



kev2
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Feb 1, 2014, 9:33 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3022 views)
Re: Low oil light and rattle in the engine. Sign In

Restating:
engine starts fine - gauge rises no sounds.....
THen after several minutes - gauge goes to low (0) and a rattle?
AM I correct so far?

The recomendation is the same - get a mechinical gauge on it - BUT it sounds like a oil drain back issue if I restated it correctly...

Let us know - the gangs over cautious posts are warranted as this can quickly get expensive...






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