I have a question.
1997 Toyota Camry LE 2.2 Ltr. 4 cyl. auto
The oil sending unit broke and sprayed all of the oil out of the engine and destroyed the bearings. There isn't knocking or banging, just sounds like the bearings were destroyed. I added 3.8 quarts of oil and it started right up only with the humming from the bearings being destroyed. I replaced the sending unit, oil and filter and drove it 400 miles without any broblem except for the humming from the bearings. Someone said I could drive it like this for at least 100,000 more miles. Is this true? Is this both the crank shaft and balance shaft bearings or even more bearings I don't know about?
Thank you,
Dan

 

bad rod or crank bearing will knock not hum. cam bearings might possibly hum if your engine is not knocking then I would most likely continue to drive the vehicle and keep the oil changed regularly, i would bet the humming noise is the oil pump and is from the oil loss. that could be a sign of incipient failure. or could last for tens of thousands of miles.

if we're not supposed to eat animals why are they made of meat?

 

The operative word in "could go 100,000 miles" is "could", but as 'wrench says, I wouldn't count on it.

 

I would drive it, but start putting away some $$$ for an engine change it is not gonna last forever.

 

I bet it's the oil pump, too. Last night I changed the oil and filter again to remove any left over dirt caused by the loss of oil when the oil sending unit went out. You know the sound the engine makes right after you change the oil and filter, that sound of the engine being starved of oil and a slight knocking sound before the oil kicks in, that's not the sound. I'm going to have the oil pump changed first as this is the cheapest way. I need this car to drive 800 miles on the weekends to help my 89 year old mom. You are the second person to say it would knock if the rod and or crank bearings were bad. After I replace the oil pump and it stiil makes this humming sound, then I will have the cam bearings changed out. One thing, I did notice a slight amount of metal shavings in the oil last night when I changed it. I haven't lost any compression/power. and there isn't any oil loss.
Thank you very much!!!

 

Anyone with more help on this would be great! Still running after 1,100 miles now, same noise.