I ran my engine low on oil and yes I fell like an idiot. It was 2.5 quarts low. Niw there is a loud knocking sound from the back of the left side valve cover. Probably a bad lifter. Is there anything else it can be? And will putting new rockers and springs fix the problem.

 

Valvetrain related issues "tick" they do not "knock", knocks are usually reserved for the bottom end of the motor. Pop off the valve cover and check for a loose rocker arm and readjust accordingly.

I'm pretty sure your car has hydraulic lifters which are actuated by oil flow so it's possible that a lack of oil could have caused an issue there.

I'm guessing that you added the correct amount of oil? It's not still 2.5 quarts low?

About a year ago I ran my car horribly, I rarely checked the oil and it was always overheating, and I checked it one day after work and it was horribly low, no sounds to indicate a low oil level though. The point I'm trying to make is that alot of these engines take alot of abuse and it doesn't usually result in catastrophic failure.

 

Well, when the car warms up there is a loud tapping sound from the back of the left side valve cover. I think I damaged a lifter. The car still runs and drives normal and oil pressure is good, after I put in the correct amount of oil. I run 10w-40 oil too.

 

Like I said, pull the valve cover, make sure the lash is adjusted correctly. Untighten the rocker arm that you are suspicious of, make sure the rocker arm is aligned nice and straight, re-thread the stud on, then keep threading until it makes contact and you feel the slightest bit of resistance, then tighten the stud 3/4's to a full turn more. And that's that.

Do that, then get back to us and we'll go from there. It sounds harder than it is.

 

I am about to go and pull the valve cover off today, my question is the tapping noise only starts when the engine is warmed up. I don't hear it when the engine is cold. Could this be a sign that its not just a bad lifter and that I did more damage to my motor?

 

2.5qts low shouldn't really be a problem, but your description does sound like a bad bearing. When it's warm and knocking, try retarding the timing. If the knock goes away it's a bad rod bearing.

 

Don't forget to make sure that valve is fully closed on that cylinder before attempting this.

 

Yes, this should be done at TDC on the cylinder you're performing the adjusting on.