ronjenx

The rapid ticking may be a few of the valve lifters are collapsed from not getting enough oil.

Trauma

That doesn't sound terrible but anytbing inside the engine can't be cheap if damaged.

It's driving me nuts I won't be home for a week so i won't know until then.

Let's say that is the case, what kind of cost could I be looking at?

ronjenx

If the lifters are low due to low oil, they may pump up and be fine when you fill up the oil.

There's nothing you can do now, and worrying won't help. When you get back, fill it up if it's low, and see how it acts.

Giving a cost estimate is futile until you find out if damage has occurred.

Ncb

Not to be a Debbie downer, but I've seen lots of reports of running the 3.8 excessively low on oil spinning crank bearings. I've read the bearings are a poor design and low oil causes high heat and spins bearings. I'm waiting/hoping my 3.8 will die so I can get a stroked 3.8 from 505 Performance. (I'm not affiliated with 505).

Billbikes

Just to clarify when you saw the light you added trans fluid. Did you also check the oil level?
Like others have said, whatever has happened is already done, worrying about it won't help. If it's not low oil, there's a number of things that need to be diagnosed in person.

If it is low and you take it to the dealer fill it first and play dumb, lol.

Trauma

A smart person would have checked the oil.

I just did a tranny fluid change a few weeks back so it had me immediately thinking tranny.

I'm an idiot, too late now.

I'm well out of warranty, I wouldn't dare consider dealer pricing to fix it. They're scumbags even if it was under warranty.

I'm just depressed over the possibilities of it not resolving with oil.

Kojack

Ok,

The light was flashing for over a week, you NEVER checked your OIL, and now you have noises. Be prepared. I think that this stuff should be taught in driver training. Oil light comes on. pull over right away when safe and check your oil. I can guarantee you have some sort of motor damage done. How bad, not sure until you tear into it. Look on the bright side, its a good way to swap in a hemi.

ronjenx

How about teaching them to check the dip stick at least once a week?

Chadc880

Wowwwwwww

Kojack

Agreed. I do that as well. but most people don't, so at least teach them that if an Idiot light comes on the dash, they know what it is. One of my former employees toasted a 350 chev motor twice by ignoring idiot lights. And that was after I told him what th effin light was for. They never check anyting. Drive till it breaks.