I was driving my car without any oil (dip stick was dry when i checked) for about 3 weeks and now there is alot of clacking (sounds like valve clap) on start up until the engine gets warm. Its really loud now even after i filled the oil back up. I know it wasn't smart (its my beater) but i want to know if I can fix it or if I should swap in another D

What is the cause of this?
Expensive to fix?

This is all on a d16y7 with approximately 200 000kms on it.

 

Sounds like you damaged the bearings. I'd probably source out another engine and spare the efforts to have the bottom end rebuilt.

 

should i be expecting a blown engine? or will it last me until next summer?

 

anyone?

 

Man $5 worth of oil and 2 mins of your time would ahve saved you all this mess.....I dont know why you didnt fill it up when you knew the dipstick was reading dry. That's like knowing your going to sh*t your pants if you fart but you let a ripper go anyways...

I agree with CivicGSR though, you have no idea what kind of damage has been done to the block

 

i think you have it wrong.. its not like i checked it and saw it was dry then drove it for 3 weeks anyways... I only noticed it was dry recently when i checked it (then i filled it up... but who knows how long it was like that, my last oil change was maybe 2 months ago.

no need for "you should have" lectures more like some answers to my questions

 

There's no way to know.

I've seen cars that are running so bad the engine sounds a lathe grinding away <shudder>

 

your internal probbly fried but you wont know till you open it. the oil stays on the bottom when its not on. when you start the car, about 30secs. oil start moving up thats why you dont hear that crakling sounds. if you dont have the money right now it, run it with 10w30 to protect those piston rings etc. but get it fix asap before it gets worst. are you west, mid or east of canada.

 

Theres no way to tell if it will make until next summer, it might, but it might make it to next week.

does it smoke or anything besides the noise?

 

Ya there is no real way to tell until you open her up...Just look for another d series, im sure you could come by one cheap

 

Just run it till she dies. I had a similar problem, but I hopefully caught it early before it caused any real damage.

 

Uh I'd be much more worried about spinning a bearing than protecting the rings with 10w-30

 

i threw 10w30 so the damage wont go any further or bigger. just some advice.

 

^^ and a spon bearing isnt worse? id rather have screwed up rings then a spon bearing.

 

Yeah rings are easy, if you spin a bearing might as well buy another motor unless it's built

 

lucas maybe? i know people that like it. i dont use it.

just keep the oil changed every 3k or under. DO NOT drive it hard if you want it to last at all..
But i do agree with the others about finding a new motor. they are a dime a dozen.
good luck

 

thanks everyone... im in quebec so the winters get pretty cold here.

Im gonna try to adjust the valves first to see if that will make a difference. This time of year its hard to find a d in good condition so im gonna wait to see what the results give with a valve adjustment

 

what happens if you "spin a bearing" ?

 

A spun bearing will make a knocking sound. You should use a heavier weight oil. 20W-50 or straight 30W to see if it quiet down some of the noise.

 

depending on how cold it is. that oil can turn to gunk.
but a heavier oil can help. 15w-40 would work as well. straight 30w
would probably be the best though

 

Quebec? i say -40 degrees, snows bout 3ft.

 

That is cold, I never been a place that cold. Around here, it may get to low 30's if the conditions are just right.

 

ya it gets pretty cold up here