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I don't want to lead the responses with my post title, but my problem did start with low oil.

My car: 2001 Honda Civic, 200,000 miles

I was driving at 75 MPH and noticed what I would describe as a vibration from under the hood. To verbalize the noise I have too quickly roll my tongue like a Spanish "R". The noise was worse when stepping on the accelerator.

I realized I had not checked the oil in a long time and wondered if that was the problem (I bought the car at 172,000 miles and have not other experience with a Honda).

I stopped to add oil and was about 2.5 quarts low.

I added the oil and the noise seemed to quiet down after about 2 minutes. All seemed fine, and the car does continue to run decently but here are the lasting problems:

1) I still hear that vibration noise when I rev the engine in neutral.
2) The car wants to stall at stop lights (does actually stall 1/3 of the time). It always restarts.
3) When I rev the engine it sputters at about 4,900 RPM and won't go above 5,000.

I might have added a bit too much oil, but if I did, I would say I only added about 1/3 a quart too much.

Other than that, I guess I am afraid that the original noise was something failing in the engine. But maybe what is ruined is only a sensor. Perhaps somebody knows a some specific things that this problem sounds like.

I will schedule an appointment with my mechanic, but will probably have to wait a few days.

Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 209

low oil wouldn't ruin a sensor,

2.5 quarts is pretty damn low, it only takes about 3.3 to full.....so you were probably running on less then one quart

if you overfilled by only 1/3 quart dont worry about it,

you could have damaged crank bearings, piston rings, cylinder walls.....or something even in the valve train....hell with that low oil it could be anything

 
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Thanks. I suppose it is what it is now. The choices you list compared to the noise I hear makes me think bearings. I naturally wish a oil light had come on (one never did) but, worst case scenario I get a new car I didn't want to have to afford.

 
Rep Power: 119

 
Rep Power: 512

here's what rod knock sounds like.

Note the sound only appeared when throttle was applied.

I had a random severe oil leak out of nowhere. I pulled into a parking spot at school one day and noticed a trail of oil following my car. Was able to limp it to nearby AutoZone to get a couple quarts of oil just to top her off and get her home.(I don't recall how much oil, nor do I recall where it was from -- I think valve cover gasket). Noise appeared a short time later. I was able to count the clicks while holding at 1000RPM (well, counted every 4th click for 15 seconds) and compared that frequency to engine RPM. It was pretty much dead on to 200 clicks/minute at 1000rpm which made me conclude it was coming from one cylinder.

 
Rep Power: 229

-You'll be fine just baby her and watch the oil.

I've literally seen 5 2001 to 2005 civics come in with absolutly no oil in the pan... well maybe 5 drops or so.

They sounded like crap but after adding oil they were ok... some of them still made sounds but I've seen at least one of them back on a regular basis.


I'd suggest going to a shop as soon as possibe

-dump the oil
-do an oil change
-drive it for a week
-do another oil change

In this way any metal chunks that may be floating around the engine from being overdue will get caught in the oil filter or dumped out.

If the sound is still there switch to 10w30 oil which will be better at covering larger gaps between any warn bearings.

 
Rep Power: 222

When I worked in a shop, we'd routinely get 01-05s and 96-00s roll in with no oil on the stick. Pull the plug you'd get maybe a dribble or just smoke, and then a tablespoon or two in the filter. And the owners would come in like this all the time.

The stalling and sputtering might be iac related