2001 Ford Taurus Engine Problem with Taurus

GOLDENPATRIOT

MEMBER
2001 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

Hello,
My son was driving his car through heavy snow yesterday, got stuck, rocked the car to get out and shortly thereafter the oil light came on. He continued to drive and began hearing a tapping/clicking sound and then a backfire. He turned the engine off. We took it to a local station that does not do engine work and they put some oil in, started it up and said it is the engine.
There is no smoke. Any idea how bad this may be?
Thanks so much!

2 Replies

SCHRIMPIEMAN

MECHANIC
166 POSTS

That's a tough question to answer because your audience cannot hear the car running / clacking.

If it's more of a clicking sound, the valve train may be damaged. The heads need to come off and be reconditioned.
If it's a CLACKING sound, chances are the engine rod bearings were starved of oil and are now damaged due to friction wear. The only way I would tackle worn rod bearings would a complete engine tear down, inspection, and reassembly. Keep in mind, not only the bearings may be damaged, but the rods may have spun the bearings, and there may be scratches on the crankshaft journals. All these need to be in perfect working order with bearing clearances to match. Otherwise, you're looking at bearing failure down the line.

Not having smoke from the tailpipe or otherwise is not relevant to the situation.