M50 low oil, engine ticking

[bimmerman89]

Hi guys, I'm new here and hate for this to be my first post.(asking for help)

About two months ago I checked the oil, it was fine.
Last week I noticed a ticking sound on my top end, decided to park the car and look at it later when weather gets warmer.
Today I tried starting the car, and it would turn but not start. I thought battery was low, so I began charging it, tried again and it started but ran very rough.
I decided to check the oil level, it barely had enough on the tip.(and even that was difficult to notice, but it was wet)
Immediately I dumped 2 more quarts in the engine and tried again and it started.
Ticking sound was still there, but it was running!

Now to my question. I really want to fix what's wrong, I'm sure the oil starvation is causing the ticking. (very embarrassing, this isn't my first car)
What could I have damaged? And what should I look at immediately, before starting it again?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Justin

PS. Sorry if this is in the wrong spot, figured 24V section was appropriate.

[bimmerman89]

I don't have a whistle noise like this guy, but the knock is very much the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9sOmBHPCTU

[franky2fingaz]

do a compression test, it will tell so much. Pop the plugs and look at what's on them.. . how were you driving it? lots of high revs?

[bimmerman89]

do a compression test, it will tell so much. Pop the plugs and look at what's on them.. . how were you driving it? lots of high revs?

Drove it calmly during these three months. I can probably count 2 times, when i actually stepped on it. The car was(is) a daily, approximately 40mi/day commute.

I'll do the compression test and check the plugs and post results asap.

[franky2fingaz]

In addition: Oil blow by through the PCV, pull the throttle body and feel inside the intake for too much oil residue.. sea-foam is what I used but that was a Honda K motor with excessive blow by... new pcv valve too

[bimmerman89]

Finally had the chance to do a compression test.

First pass, cyl 1-6:
190,80,92,193,70,130

Second pass, cyl 1-6:
195,91,90,230,80,135

Redid, cyl 4 again from the second pass, and it gave me 235. Very strange why the first time i got a much lower #.

Looks like my numbers are all over the board. What else should i be looking for? Opened the cover, and can't see anything that stands out as abnormal.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[justin_l_]

I'd say a leak down test is in your future.

[berlow94]

Doesn't look like you're performing a compression test properly either. A leak down test will tell you for sure what is what.


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