After fixing head gasket, there is tapping and oil light is on

1997 HOLDEN COMMODORE
263,000 MILES • 0.5L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RAY GRIFFITHS
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I just fixed my head gasket it started up fine burnt off the the oil what was in the exhaust I went for a drive. Now it is tapping and oil light is coming on. It is full of oil what could it be.?
Oct 12, 2018 at 2:53 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

When a head gasket fails, coolant gets into the oil. Coolant in the oil damages the main and rod bearings. There is a material called babbit on the surface of the bearing that gets removed.

Chances are you will need to drop the pan and change the main and rod bearings. You most likely have low oil pressure from the clearances from the bearings and that is why you hear the noise and the light is coming on warning you that you are very low in pressure.

Hopefully there is no damage to the crankshaft surface.

Roy
Oct 12, 2018 at 3:15 AM
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RAY GRIFFITHS
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It did have water in it. I changed the oil before I drove it, the head gasket only blew out where the oil cylinder is which is putting oil into the cylinder cylinder and all that. We are all good it runs fine just oil light and tapping noise not from the pistons. Just sounds like tappets but just louder than normal.
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:02 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Yep, you need to drop the pan and inspect the bearings.

Roy
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:10 AM
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RAY GRIFFITHS
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Sorry I meant it did not have water, sorry spell correct.
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:13 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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I am sure it did. That is one of the effects of a failed head gasket.

I would still drop the pan and inspect the bearings or you will fail the engine from lack of oil pressure.

Roy
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:22 AM
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RAY GRIFFITHS
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It had a service before the head gasket blew. After the head gasket got replaced the oil what was in it got dropped out there was no water in the oil at all. Fresh oil was put in it started fine it was running for about twenty minutes and I turned it off had a coffee and went out in it up the road started tapping then oil light flashed on. Before that it was running fine still is running fine just got a tapping noise and oil light.
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:31 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Again, you have damage on the lower end from the head gasket failure.

There is no getting around it. You need to drop the pan and inspect the bearings.

Roy
Oct 12, 2018 at 4:50 AM