Engine knocking noise

[jim_jiminy]

Hi I have a pre-facelift spyder since April and really been enjoying the car.

However now there is a tapping / knocking noise when under acceleration. It's not the exhaust and is coming somewhere from the engine.

It happens just when I start the car, then goes when on idle . Then when under acceleration get progressively worse.

I fear there was oil starvation as I did a long drive to wales , oil was ok when left to go, but on way back the oil pressure light flickered very briefly so I pulled over and topped up as was very low.

What kind of damage could this do?

Is there anyone in my area (Amersham) that could check this out what the noise is?

Many thanks.

[Carolyn]

Almost certainly done a rod bearing (or two).  Not as catastrophic as it sounds, (possibly). Oil light on and then an engine knock, is a bit of a give-away. 

Don't just keep on driving it, get it looked at.

The only way to know for certain is to drop the oil pan and inspect the bearings.  About a 1 hr job.  You might get away with replacing shells. (£30 in parts).  I did it on an oil-burner and lived with it for months before a put in a rebuilt engine.  It was still quiet and reliable, but the oil burning was too much for me in the end!

[jonbill]

I bet it's number 4.