Chevy s10 oil gauge

1999 CHEVROLET S-10
AWD • AUTOMATIC
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LLE6207
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  • 1 POST
My husband is pulled over on the side of the road in our 1999 Chevy s10. He says the oil gauge has gone all the way down to zero so he pulled over. He checked the oil and it was empty, waited a few minutes checked it again and there was some oil (above the low line). Now the truck won't go over 35 mph and is making a strange noise. Just wondering if it is safe for him to drive home (40 miles) and what it might be.
Jun 24, 2011 at 11:31 AM
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CARADIODOC
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If he's hearing a banging sound when the engine is running, the bearings have likely been damaged from running low on oil. The oil level will go up a little after the engine has been off a few minutes as oil runs down from the passages.
Jun 24, 2011 at 11:55 AM
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CARADIODOC
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  • 34,413 POSTS
Forgot to include that if the bearings are damaged, it won't make it 40 miles. Before that happens though, the hydraulic lifters will rattle very badly, like a busy typewriter. If that's all that is making noise, adding oil may be all that's necessary to get home, but then it should be inspected immediately to see where the oil went.
Jun 24, 2011 at 11:58 AM
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