Q: Engine Shaking after low oil

It is very possible you have damaged the crankshaft and camshaft bearings. Ideally, the person changing the oil should have taken a sample of the oil that came out first to see if there are metal shavings in the oil. This can often reduce the power output of a motor by clogging the many small oiling passages in the motor creating excessive internal engine drag. Eventually this will lead to the need for a complete motor rebuild.

Overfilling the oil can foul the spark plugs, damage oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter. Since there aren’t any more noises, you may get lucky for a time with the motor. I would begin by pulling the spark plugs. If they have been oil-fouled, they will be wet or have black or white debris left over from burning excessive amounts of oil. It’s also possible the spark plugs will be washed clean from fuel that hasn’t burned because of misfiring from too much oil. The main thing to keep in mind is the plugs should be clean, dry and free of debris. If not, replace them if you’re not sure.

I would also take a look inside the air intake hose to see if oil was sucked into there via the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. If this happened, it can contaminate the mass airflow sensor (MAF) which is the most important sensor for the powertrain control module (PCM) in making fuel ratio calculations. If it is oil soaked or has other debris in it, clean it gently with carburetor cleaner.

And still another possibility is the timing chain could have jumped a tooth or two. This will make a big difference if this has happened. The timing chain is tensioned by a hydraulic tensioner. When you lost oil pressure, that tensioner could have allowed the timing chain slacken and jump a tooth or more.

If you need assistance, a certified YourMechanic technician can come to your location to perform an inspection of your shaking engine and suggest any appropriate repairs for your vehicle.

Good luck!