Hi, I made the stupid decision of not checking the oil after having my truck sit for a long time. I drove it for about 30 minutes at speeds of about 40 MPH for 15 miles. Sometimes I would hear this slight ticking sound, and sometimes I wouldnt. My oil pressure was about 3/8 of the way on the gauge, and the check engine light would flick on every once in awhile. The temperature gauge stayed below half. I got home and waited 30 minutes and then checked the oil. It was barley on the dipstick. It still starts up and runs fine, do you think any damage was caused? Thanks

 

If the oil level was touching the bottom of the dipstick then you were only about 1 litre low, which means there was still about 4 litres in the pan. That shouldn't do any damage, especially for that short trip.

The other question you should be asking yourself is where did the oil go, if the truck was just sitting.

 

I agree, I don't think you did any damage... and I also agree that it would be good to find out where it went... maybe the drain bolt is loose?

 

Alright thanks, I'll look into it. I was just worried about that ticking sound.

 

valve tick? or lower end "tick"

 

Im not sure, it was just this real faint ticking that Id hear sometimes. I just bought some oil so ill put it in and see if the noise goes away

 

Hi, I would change the oil/filter completely if it's been sitting along time.There may be acids and other chemicals that are bad for the metal inside the engine.
Also running a quart low will not hurt anyting short term and mild driving. I think the ticking would be the valve lifters. I wouldn't worry about it and change the oil.

 

Heres a check list i use when operating a vehicle:
#1 Keys
#2 Gas
#3 Oil

22rs love oil so don't starve them of it ITS REQUIRED!!!! You want a long time 22r just keep oil in it and it will run until the world ends and even then.... plus if its leaking that much oil i would recommend fixing that...

 

#4 Engine in place
#5 Tires, not blocks

 

#3.5 coolant

 

^ lol

 

If it don't say Toyoda, throw it in the guda and go buy anothda

 

# 6 Steering wheel

 

If you were reading oil at all your probably fine, i've done worse on my motors

 

the ex ran the 22re 3qts low for who knows how long, topped off and it ran for quite a while after w/o issues (unless you want to relate it the blown HG)

 

Its never good to run low on oil why does everyone say its ok!!!! Ur all retared!!!! Keep oil in it!!!!! Dur!!!

 

Yea oil and coolant are to an engine like blood and beer are to me...Both keep me going.

 

Engineers who designed these motors knew that some oil would leak or burn over time. They allow for this in the design. If it was that bad to run slightly low on oil then the dipstick wouldn't have a range. It would only say full or not full. I personally burn about a quart per 5k oil change but never add oil until I change it. Works with 277k miles. I heard somebody say it was better to be slightly low on oil than to have too much oil. Dunno if this was true or not. I'd be more worried about the CEL coming on when you were only down a little over a quart. My 22re has never been that low but my old 3.0 was down 2quarts several times and never had CEL. Oil leaks aren't bad as long as you keep oil in it.

 

Alot of the oil stays in the pan of the motor... i've been told that theres acctaully bookoo more oil in motors than acctaully needed all the extra is there for for optimum lubrication at all times. It is bad to have too much. But you have have to add like 2-3 quarts over the full lever on the dipstick for it mess up. but nobody wants a knocking motor do they? so KEEP OIL IN IT! They would nat make marks on the dipstick just for the heck of it they are there because the manufactuerer needs it be so and requires it so. all you guys running it low all the time will be sorry and find out the hard way... all ya gotta do is unscrew a cap pour oil and then your done.... is it that hard?

 

Sorry to all to resurrect such an old post, but I ran my truck low on oil today :-( I checked the oil just today and there was just a little drop at the bottom of the dipstick. Never noticed any tapping or knocking. I filled it up with some good oil and it still works nicely.

So if there was some oil at the bottom of the dipstick then I should be fine and haven't caused any serious damage?