2002 Accord SE w/4 cyl. that I bought new. Never leaked or burned oil, but Check Engine light came on the other night...got home to realize that it was WAY low on oil.

Long story short - topped it off with oil, but could hear a distinct knock that didn't seem too loud. When listening via a wooden dowel rod pressed against the oil pan - evident that there is a noise in there.

Dropped the oil pan and in doing so realized that gasket was leaking - that's where my oil went. No metal or shavings in the pan. No copper showing on bottom bearings. Couldn't feel any slop in the rods.

Is it likely that I'm hearing a rod bearing or would replacing the main bearings be the best idea here?

 

it's tough to identify noises by description only..

when you check for play in the rods are you rotating the crank back and forth slightly to cycle the load on the rod? with a finger on the rod cap you should be able to feel a loose bearing.. at least one loose enough to knock.

 

no - we didn't rotate the crank back and forth. we checked them by trying to feel if there was any play in them.

it's a slight but noticeable knock when you start the engine, but once it's warm it is not as noticeable. when we changed the oil (when we pulled the pan) I went back with 10W-30 and a quart of Slick 50.

If it's a bearing, though, I'm thinking I should change them out before it does more damage. However, I'm not sure if it's rod or main.

 

you should be able to get a full set of both rods and mains for less than 50 bucks, just replace them all if you want to be really safe. If not, a main bearing sounds more like a deep thud, and rods are a little lighter knock (If that explanation didn't do much for you, don't feel bad, I was underwhelmed when it was told to me too).

 

true. you could also plasti-gage what's in there now before you put any money in new stuff. just a suggestion.