Ran with low oil, now have noise...is this bad?

[chili_w]

I had my oil changed at a local station. I am running Mobil 1 5w30 in my 2005 Tundra. I was going to just change the filter and top it off. Well, I was in a hurry and the old gasket stuck and when I started it, most of the oil leaked out. I noticed but had driven about a half a mile. Pulled the filter and removed old gasket. A friend brought me some oil but it was conventional 5w20 havoline. I put it in and drove about 3 or 4 miles total to get home and then get back to the shop. It was making a ticking noise. I did one of those 5 minute engine flush things and started from scratch. I put in Mobil 1, new filter and started it up. No noise idling but at higher rpm I hear rattling..lifters? Also, the light came on saying take to dealer. Anybody have any thoughts or recommendations. I have been told I probably didn't do any major harm since the engine never got too hot. I am planning on taking it in this week but would like to know what to expect. Also, it seems to drive fine...some of the time when I let off the gas it rattles also. Only when going about 55 or so. I haven't driven it very much but was told it would clear up that the lifters lost their priming. I would appreciate any help or advice.

[Bakemono]

I doubt it is rattling lifters. I dont think that DOHC engines have lifters. What would worry me is that you mixed synthetic and coventional, thats not something you want to do.
You should ALWAYS make sure the oil gasket comes off when you change the filter, which is a less than it seems you have learned the hard way.
The rattle could be just about anything and the "take vehicle to dealer" light definetly isnt something that would instill me with confidence.
Good luck. As Im sure you plan to do, I would take it to the dealer and just see what they find. Normally I dont think they would honor the warranty because it is something that failed which was your fault, but being that its an '05 its most likely out of warranty anyways.

[tuesdayd]

I doubt you did any damage since you didn't drive very far, but that doesn't explain your noise. Not sure what it could be. Maybe you're hearing something that's always been there, but due to this incident you're 'looking' for something that isn't there. Also, different motor oils can make engines sound just a bit different. Check for the noise again once you get everything back to normal. Don't worry about mixing the synthetic with conventional though - you can buy it off the shelf as most (maybe all?) oil companies offer a blended product.

[JBK23]

I have one question why don't you people let the dealer do it they send you cards
for discounts in the mail I kown they send me some.

[tuesdayd]

Originally Posted by JBK23

I have one question why don't you people let the dealer do it they send you cards
for discounts in the mail I kown they send me some.

Cuz, in most cases, the guy doing the oil changes is the most green, inexperienced guy in the shop. I like to look around for existing/potential problems when I'm down there, and I'm not sure I trust the the oil change guy at the dealership to do that. And I'm finished in about 15 minutes - I can't even drive to my dealer in 15 minutes.

[DJ]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

[...]

What would worry me is that you mixed synthetic and coventional, thats not something you want to do.

[...]

Go see: Synthetic Oils FAQs on the Mobil 1 web site.

The money quote is:

Can different synthetic motor oils be mixed together?

Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional motor oils, semi-synthetic motor oils and other synthetic motor oils, should it be necessary to mix them. However, it is important to note that the superior performance of Mobil 1 will be reduced by diluting it in any way.

Note also that Mobil and Amsoil sell blends of synthetic and conventional oil.

See also Myths on that same web site.

The money quote is:

Myths

People have a lot to say about synthetic oils. Unfortunately, it’s not always accurate. But ExxonMobil is here to clear things up. Read below to get the truth behind some of the most common misconceptions about synthetic oils and your vehicle.

Myth: You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil 1.

Reality: You can start using Mobil 1® in new vehicles at any time, even in brand new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in [17 different vehicles and/or manufacturers listed].

So, why are you worried?

[chili_w]

1. I flushed the engine using that 5 minute engine flush from NAPA. Drained completely and installed new filter and 6 quarts of MOBIL 1 5w30.
2. I did this for a couple of reasons. One is I didn't want to mix oils and two I thought running it with that little oil could have caused it to gum some stuff up. Maybe I was spinning my wheels, but it sounded better almost immediately.
3. So, everything is back to normal.
4. I don't think this noise was there before but I could be wrong.
5. The light could be anything, I know that, so I am not too concerned.
6. I am going in to another dealer that is closer since I am already headed to that city.
7. I check the filter gasket 99% of the time but I was in a hurry so I take the blame.
8. I don't go to my dealer for an oil change because it's two hours away. I usually take it to a local shop but it is usually just as easy to do it yourself.
9. I probably left something out so, if anyone has questions or needs me to clarify, please let me know. I apparently am not a mechanic so bear with me.
10. I was mainly wondering if I did any major damage. I know it wasn't good but it's done. I had 500 things going on that day and things don't go well when you rush. Hopefully, it will be okay.
11. Thanks for the help.

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by JBK23

I have one question why don't you people let the dealer do it they send you cards
for discounts in the mail I kown they send me some.

I dont trust the dealer mechanics to work on my vehicles. Also, what oil are they using? A lot of dealerships use the cheapest oil they can find.
Also, when I do an oilchange I give the understand of the vehicle a quick once-over just to look for things that are out of the ordinary. Leaks, broken suspension parts, loose fasteners, etc. With how much of a rush most dealer mechanics are in, I dont trust any of them to do as good of a job of it as I would. At least if I do the work myself, I know its done right.
Also, its just a hassle to have the dealership do it. You have to make an appointment, drive down there, wait while the work is being done, then drive back home. You are looking at at least an hour for all that. I can do an oilchange in my driveway in 15 minutes.

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by DJ

Go see: Synthetic Oils FAQs on the Mobil 1 web site.


The money quote is:

Can different synthetic motor oils be mixed together?

Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional motor oils, semi-synthetic motor oils and other synthetic motor oils, should it be necessary to mix them. However, it is important to note that the superior performance of Mobil 1 will be reduced by diluting it in any way.

Thats the first Ive ever heard of that. They always used to say that you should never mix conventional and synthetic or different brands of motor oil because they can have an adverse reaction and sludge up in your engine.
They even used to say that you shouldnt constantly switch back and forth between synthetic and conventional because it can cause sludge in your engine.

[DJ]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

Thats the first Ive ever heard of that. They always used to say that you should never mix conventional and synthetic or different brands of motor oil because they can have an adverse reaction and sludge up in your engine.
They even used to say that you shouldnt constantly switch back and forth between synthetic and conventional because it can cause sludge in your engine.

Who are "they" who said such things?

Mobil has always advertised that their synthetic motor oil is compatible with, and can be mixed with, conventional motor oil without problems. If it wasn't, then a flush would be required when switching from conventional to synthetic, and Mobil has never advocated that. In fact, Mobil states:

Myth: I need to flush my engine before switching to Mobil 1.

Reality: No special preparation is necessary when switching from conventional motor oil to Mobil 1 or Mobil 1 Extended Performance.

[Bakemono]

"They" is every owner's manual for every vehicle I have ever owned.
Synthetic or Conventional Oil?

One urban myth surrounding synthetic oil is its compatibility with conventional oil. At one time, those who switched from conventional to synthetics had to stick with synthetics—there was no going back. Synthetics expanded the seals in the engine; then, when conventional motor oil was used, that engine sprang multiple leaks.
Now, while the companies don't recommend mixing or switching back and forth, one company's synthetics are fully compatible with others and compatible with conventional oils. The source of compatibility problems was high levels of ester in the earlier synthetics. Considering the consequences, it's best to verify this compatibility, either on the company's website or with your trusted mechanic.

It would seem that with the old, high-ester synthetics that you could not mix them with conventional oil, but that with the new synthetics you can mix them with conventional oil.
Like I said, this is the first I heard that you could mix them and be OK, I never said that I was 100% certain that you couldnt.

[yspert]

sludge is caused by not changing the oil....not the oil.
what weight was the "flush"? never flush an engine. change the
oil a lot and you won't have any of the issues that a flush might
cure. yspert

[DJ]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

"They" is every owner's manual for every vehicle I have ever owned.

[...]

The problem that article discusses and you quoted was resolved long before you were born.

I have never seen, in any owner's manual of any vehicle that I have ever owned (which dates back to 1964), any statement to the effect that synthetic and conventional oils should not be mixed, or that different brands of conventional oil should not be mixed.

Your user profile says that you own a '99 Ford F-150. Can you show us a photo of it's owner's manual stating that you shouldn't mix conventional with synthetic oil, or mix different brands of conventional oil?

I have just reexamined the owner's manuals to my '00 Tundra and my wife's '01 Sequoia. They both state only that

API grade SJ "Energy Conserving" or ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recommended.

and neither mentions synthetic oil, or mixing different brands of oil, in any way.