Reader Question
I have a 99 Saturn Sc2 Coupe. Ive had it for about a year and it has
been running great but then i accidenty let it run low on oil and it
started making a noise. i took it to get an oil change, they did
everything, and the next week the engine started making a knockin
noise. i took it back to the oil shop and they said it sounded like an
internal problem with my engine. it only makes thhe quick knocking
sounds when im giving it gas. and more towards higher rpms.
what do you think?
Sam
Hey there Sam,
When an engine runs low on oil
or has an internal engine problem it can make a knocking noise. The
noise can get louder when the engine RPM’s are higher. I would NOT
continue to drive this engine until you get a second opinion. Make
sure you visit a repair shop that is capable of doing internal engine
rebuilding or replacing the engine altogether. This can be a BIG job,
and you don’t want to get a shop that is not competent in this repair.
Blessings,
Austin C. Davis
Follow Up
Thanks for your opinion. so i was driving to a shop and it made a really loud knock and so i pulled over, got it towed to the shop and they said the worst. new engine, $2800, and everything.
So i talked to some freinds and one of my buddies has rebuilt an engine before. with the right tools and a manual for the engine and everything, do you think it is advisable to rebuild it ourselfves or pay someone else a bunch to do it? the shop i took it to said it was the whole cylinder that needs replacing which means the whole engine block right? if its jsut the piston its alot easier to replace?
Howdy Again Sam
If this was me, I would call around to a few junk yards in your area and see if you can find a low mileage vehicle that was wrecked, but the engine is still in good shape. You might be able to buy one for $500-750 used. Trying to rebuild only ONE cylinder/piston is not the recommended way to overhaul an engine, especially one that ran out of oil or had some other internal problem.
You might replace that one piston, reinstall the engine and still have the same problem. Time and money wise, it will be smarter to install a used engine. You can even buy an extended warranty from the junk yard with will cover the engine itself, but usually not the labor, but you and your friends can do this job in a weekend.
Blessings,
Austin Davis