Sparkles? Rod tick/knocking?

 

Generally, you don't want to wait for symptoms. Once there are noises that may be potential symptoms, you probably waited for too long, and should not drive - you don't want to damage the crankshaft. One way to get some information without major disassembly is to send an oil sample for analysis, if you haven't changed it in the previous 1K miles. Watch out for higher than expected lead and/or copper.

You also should include more information about the car - production date, mileage, were the bearings ever replaced, how was the car driven, etc.

 

Ok thanks.

 

Some members, myself included, have reported the oil pressure (red) light activating, while at idle, with engine and oil at normal (hot) operating temperature. Several cases report that the light comes on with manual-transmission cars, but I don't know how many auto-trans are involved. Low oil pressure is indicative of worn rod bearings, but before establishing it as a cause/indication, oil analysis and downloading OBDII data to see if other potential causes are present. Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis is pretty dependable.

 

Best thing to do is send an oil analysis to blakstone labs right before your next oil change. They can tell you whats in the oil and possibly have some feedback in terms of the health of the engine.

 

next to tearing apart the bottom end, prob easiest/good is an oil analysis

 

Echoing the others here: Blackstone Oil Analysis is the first thing you should do. Super easy and cheap considering what they can tell you from their analysis. Pull a sample from the middle of the draining to capture a realistic composition. High copper & lead numbers indicate the inner layers of the bearings being worn away. If this is the case, find a reputable shop and have them done before enough is shaved away to induce movement (Rod-knock). Ask for all the old parts. Expect ~$2,000 give or take, depending on location. Again, cheap compared to letting it go and potentially destroying your engine.

 

This is one of those places where an actual oil pressure gauge,
fitted while the car's in good shape, really does tell the tale.

You'll notice your hot
oil pressure dropping as the tolerances open up.

Me, I'd do the bearings preventatively, too. On an M.

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