Recently started getting an engine knocking sound after a long road trip. I checked oil levels before leaving, around halfway level on the dipstick on a warm engine, and drove 10hrs over a couple days, listened for sounds, no issues.
Starting the car to leave after a week and noticed right away loud knocking for 2-3 seconds and then it stopped and idled normal. Turned off the car and checked oil level, this is still a cold engine, only on 10 seconds or so and the oil level is at the low mark. The stick had oil on it after checking several times, but level was right at low, could see the line.
Added just a little oil, filled to 1/4 of the way, I know it'll rise once heated. Turn the car back on and no knocking on start or any odd noises after, after 5 minutes idle, oil is at halfway on the stick again, I add even more to get it to 3/4 full just to be sure, but don't want to overfill.
Drove back home and made it fine, the car was my only way back, started this morning and the knocking returns, but much less than last time, and for only a second. I took a
video of the second start.
I fear during the trip I may have simply run out of oil at some point, thinned out and burned up a bearing somewhere. Confused why it stops if it's a bearing, perhaps it's just starting. I'm also shocked it would've burned that much oil to do that, even on a road trip. This was also highway the whole time, aside from giving it some gas to get on, was pretty much between 2-3k rpm the whole way.
I do plan to go to the dealership for an appointment, prepping for the worst, wondering if anyone has had experience with engine rebuilds done from the dealership, and what kind of cost I should prep for to get the car back on the road.