Pinging...not death rattle?

Asked by Jessica Apr 12, 2017 at 06:32 PM about the 2002 Toyota Highlander Limited V6

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Car started making rattle sound/pinging sound. I
immediately pulled over and put oil in it. Drove it
home about seven miles. Checked oil and had to
put in another quart. The sound seemed to
correspond with serp belt. When i would push
harder on accelerator and belt would go faster, the
knocking also sped up.
I had it towed to a shop. All they did was checked
the oil and said it didnt register on dipstick. 
thusly invalidating the warranty.
I asked if there was metal shavings in oil, but they
didnt even drop the pan!!! They did NO diagnosing
and are still saying it needs new
engine.   
Now what ?? Do i tow it to get second opinion? Do i
drive it til it really poops out ? Tow it to my house
and drop pan myself?
Help..

2 Answers
103,215

KenF answered 7 years ago

Not having oil in engine would not invalidate a warranty, as some mechanical failures can cause a loss of oil. However you have a 15-year old vehicle, so I'm not sure what sort of warranty you have on it. If you don't trust or like the service and inspection you got at this place, by all means take it some place else. Dropping a pan is not so easy though, you would have to pay for the additional shop time for that level of service. You should also have them check oil pressure and possibly conduct a leak-down test as well, and determine just where the oil went.

Mark helpful
159,075

Bob answered 7 years ago

Oil level should be checked about every other fill up and more often for an older high mileage vehicle. They put oil dipsticks there for a reason.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

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