my car recently (2 weeks ago started making a knocking noise like a chatter and i hear it coming from the engine. my mechanic said my main bearings are failing. he says the engine will last a couple years if i use a heavier weight oil. 2 years seems long. is that right?
It sounds resonable but other than the how else did he verify that the bearings are failing? Main Bearing Noise. A loose main bearing produces a dull knock heard every other revolution when the engine is under heavy load. If all main bearings are loose, a loud clatter will be heard. Low oil pressure can also accompany this condition. Causes that can produce a knock in tight bearings are oil that is too thin, or no oil at the bearing. Do you have low oil pressure? Have you ever run the engine low on oil? I would try the heavier oil before doing any other work.
Your mechanic is wrong. If you leave it like that, the bearings will continue to waste down and possibly affect the crankshaft which will be a lot more money that you will have to spend. if you have the means give the engine an overhaul complete with main bearings and rod bearings, rings, the works. it will cost you more in the long run if you just run it taking the chance.
You can't guarantee anything when main bearings start to go bad. I bought main bearings for one of my cars and put off installing them for two weeks and the engine seized up solid. A truck had bad main bearings so I added Lucas Engine Treatment to see if it would last longer. (I had a spare engine to put in it) Well the engine was still running three years later. I would try the Lucas stuff for motor oil and price out the work with your mechanic. If you get them done soon you can avoid damage to the crankshaft.
This Site Might Help You. RE: how long will my engine last with bad main bearings? my car recently (2 weeks ago started making a knocking noise like a chatter and i hear it coming from the engine. my mechanic said my main bearings are failing. he says the engine will last a couple years if i use a heavier weight oil. 2 years seems long. is that right?
