Out of oil and the eingine shut off

Those copper and gold flakes in the oil is actually brass most likely from the crank and or rod bearings. It's hard to say what is actually making the noise without opening the engine up. It sounds like the engine is blown & needs replaced instead of trying to chase down a knocking sound just do the job right from the beginning or you will wast a lot of time & money

Make sure the engine is not making any knocking noises when running. If so, shut off immediately as you will internally damage the engine. The knocking sound is cause by no oil pressure which could be the oil pump or sending unit depending on the year, make and model.

Your engine is gone. Replace or rebuild. If your car is old, junk it. Time for a new one.

It sounds like a valve or valve lifter issue. First check and make sure the oil livel is where it needs to be. Then, I would let it idle for a few minutes and see if the knock goes away when it warms up a little (still idling). If not, its a bit more in the advanced stages of a valve or valve lifter going bad. Either way, I would change the oil with some high quality synthetic oil and get a filter with a non drainback valve (k&n or Mobil 1 has them for sure). Those attempt to keep the oil in the top half of the motor when you shut it off. I would always let your car run for a minute (longer in winter) before you drive it to get the oil pumped up and circulating.

Sounds like a tapping maybe lifter. Maybe valve check under valve cover.

How far did you drive with no oil? I wouldn't be too optimistic.

blew something in lower end --oil pump damaged --no oil or low level --check oil pressure then do compression test as well --since knocking noise is usually called rod knock

Dosent sound good. Oil light on means you lost oil pressure. and the knocking sound is the damage done due to low pressure. Start looking for another engine or another van.

No if the oil light has flickered you have oil pressure loss some time just belive the sensor do help us out. lifter do not cause oil pressure loss pressure is built in the rotation of the crankshaft. The knock under the plenum will point you to that cylinder that is affected, (main bearing) as for a 1995 the injectors can only cause a misfire but no knocking noise,will they honor the warranty

knock sensor is working at least right but unfortuanantly thats all that is working

it is likely a knock isue check the motor oil it is not un usual for a nisan to knock when the oil is low but on rare ocation it will kick so hard the knock sensor will activate