Long story short...

Small oil leak, forgot to add oil.

Upon starting the van last week I hear a slight sound like a chain rattling then disappears quickly, (now i realize it went away when oil pressure built up) this happened for about 7 starts.

I thought it was something in the van or something taping on the fender.

I realized i had not put in oil for a while.
After adding 2 and a half quarts the sound is gone now when I start the van and that brought the level up to normal on the stick.

What damage could have been done?

The darn oil pressure gauge works but doesnt tell much.

Thanks.

 

2.5 quarts low won't cause engine damage.

You're good.

(But keep it full)

 

You're probably fine. I remember a few years ago a friend who was over 3 quarts low in his V10. He didn't notice anything odd before or after adding oil.

As long as there's enough to prevent low pressure you're completely fine. The stock gauge is almost worthless, but you would have heard it if you lost pressure going down the road. Some noise on startup is normal as pressure comes up.

 

Depending on what engine do you have there should be something like 6 quarts of oil in the engine, being 2.5QT low won't change anything but if the oil is due to be changed adding that much new oil can quiet the lifters.

Just a random fact Ive experienced with older vehicles.

 

Thanks guys.

 

were you on flat ground or a hill ?

 

Flat ground. The noise has disappeared since adding the oil.

 

Few years back my brother in law asked if I wanted his old 2000 E-150.

Said he was going to be in town for business, so he'd drive it to me from Buffalo (I'm in Detroit)

150,000+ miles on it. First thing I do is check the oil. Nothing.
Slide the catch pan under, and pull the oil plug.
Maybe a tablespoon comes out.

No idea how long it was like that, but it had to be critically low for a long time, I imagine.

Ended up giving it away with about 200,000 miles on it, and it was still running fine. Burned a little oil was about it.

 

Good and GOOD.