1992 toyota camry

Sounds like the low amount of oil caused serious engine damage. It won't be a cheap fix.

Meloe77, there's a high possibility you have a mechanical failure inside the engie causing the knocking sound. (Check the oil?)
The reason for shutting off is because the knock sensor can hear it, and the powertrain control module (PCM, herefore) is trying to detune the engine to eliminate the sound, (as if it were caused by bad gasoline.) The fact that there is a mechanical knocking sound, means that the sound cannot be eliminated by detuning of fuel or spark mapping, therefore it starves for fuel and/or spark causing the engine to stop running.
My recommendation: Have the vehicle TOWED to a reputable mechanic and ask him if its possible that I'm right.

Can't give you an exact number but I can tell you how to find out. I will asume that you are changing you oil and filter? After putting the oil plug and filter on put three quarts of oil in and start engine; after oil light goes off, turn engine off and let set for about 5 minutes, then check oil; if it is not on the low mark of dip stick add another quart, start engine, stop engine, let set for a couple of minutes and check again. By now you should either be at or above the low line and just add enough oil to top it off at the full line. I would guess that about 4 1/2 to 5 quarts is what you will need. Hope this helps,
P. Ford

It can be low fuel pressure issue or clogged fuel pump. Or its engine related issues,---------------

Check the help link mentioned below to troubleshoot the problem: ------

Engine stalls when gas is given?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/engine-stalls-when-gas-is-given.html

-------------

Car stalls when MAF sensor is connected?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/car-stalls-when-maf-sensor-is-connected.html

------------

Car Engine Stalls While Driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-stalls-while-driving.html

--------------

Car stalls and throws white smoke from exhaust?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-stalls-and-throws-white-smoke-from.html

-------------

Stalls And Dies At Stop Sign?

http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/stalls-and-dies-at-stop-sign.html

------------

GMC Sonoma Stalls and idles low

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

------------

Nissan Pathfinder stalls and bucks on Acceleration?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-stalls-and-bucks-on.html

-----------------

1992 Chevrolet stalls and shutdown?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/1992-chevrolet-stalls-and-shutdown.html

------------

Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

--------------

1990 mazda 323 stalls and quit running?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/1990-mazda-323-stalls-and-quit-running.html

-------------

2000 Toyota Camry: Idling and Stalling Problem?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-idling-and-stalling.html

---------

1995 Toyota Corolla: Stalls, Sputters and Pops Through Intake Manifold?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-toyota-corolla-stalls-sputters-and.html

----------------

1999 Toyota Camry: Erratic stalling and high engine RPM at idle?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-erratic-stalling-and.html

--------------

Dodge Dakota stalls, stumbles at idle. Has low fuel flow and runs hot?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/dodge-dakota-stallsstumbles-at-idlehas.html

--------------

1994 Toyota 4Runner: Stalls and Stops While Driving?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-4runner-stalls-and-stops.html

---------------

1997 Toyota Camry: Erratic Idle and Intermittent engine stalling?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/1997-toyota-camry-erratic-idle-and.html

-------------

Ford Maverick: No Idle and Stalling issues?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/ford-maverick-no-idle-and-stalling.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

It can be low fuel pressure issue or clogged fuel pump.Or its engine related issues,---------------
Check the help link mentioned below to troubleshoot the problem :------

Engine stalls when gas is given?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/engine-stalls-when-gas-is-given.html

-------------

Car stalls when MAF sensor is connected?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/car-stalls-when-maf-sensor-is-connected.html

------------

Car Engine Stalls While Driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-stalls-while-driving.html

--------------

Car stalls and throws white smoke from exhaust?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-stalls-and-throws-white-smoke-from.html

-------------

Stalls And Dies At Stop Sign?

http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/stalls-and-dies-at-stop-sign.html

------------

GMC Sonoma Stalls and idles low

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

------------

Nissan Pathfinder stalls and bucks on Acceleration?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-stalls-and-bucks-on.html

-----------------

1992 Chevrolet stalls and shutdown?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/1992-chevrolet-stalls-and-shutdown.html

------------

Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

--------------

1990 mazda 323 stalls and quit running?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/1990-mazda-323-stalls-and-quit-running.html

-------------

2000 Toyota Camry: Idling and Stalling Problem?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-idling-and-stalling.html

---------

1995 Toyota Corolla: Stalls, Sputters and Pops Through Intake Manifold?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-toyota-corolla-stalls-sputters-and.html

----------------

1999 Toyota Camry: Erratic stalling and high engine RPM at idle?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-erratic-stalling-and.html

--------------

Dodge Dakota stalls, stumbles at idle. Has low fuel flow and runs hot?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/dodge-dakota-stallsstumbles-at-idlehas.html

--------------

1994 Toyota 4Runner: Stalls and Stops While Driving?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-4runner-stalls-and-stops.html

---------------

1997 Toyota Camry: Erratic Idle and Intermittent engine stalling?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/1997-toyota-camry-erratic-idle-and.html

-------------

Ford Maverick: No Idle and Stalling issues?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/ford-maverick-no-idle-and-stalling.html

-------------
These details will help.
Thanks.

could be worn out valve seals but sounds like a head gasket.

You either have a seized open EGR valve, or a bad Idle Air COntrol (IAC). A competent mechanic can determine this for you. Neither will show up as fault codes, as they are mechanical devices, and they do not transmit info to the computer.

Is it an oil pressure light or an oil change light (check the owners manual) If its an oil change light it may be time to change the oil. If its an oil pressure light you could have a short to ground in the wiring or at the oil pressure sender mounted on the engine. Also are you checking the engine oil with the engine running or off. The transmission is checked with the engine running, engine oil with engine off. If it is low on oil it will intermittently flash. Also when you check the oil wait five to ten minutes after the engine stops to let the oil settle before checking or you may get false readings.

Complain to Toyota, they are fixing some of these car for free. Here is the explanation and the list of problem vehicles.

Oil sludge or black sludge is a solid or gel in motor oil caused by the oil gelling or solidifying, usually at temperatures lower than 100 degrees Celsius. Sludge can be a major contributor to Internal combustion engine problems, and can require the engine to be replaced, if the damage is severe. Sludge is usually caused by the presence of water in the oil, and can accumulate with use. Ways to minimize sludge production and accumulation includes performing frequent oil changes, using synthetic oil, and following the manufacturer's engine maintenance routine.
The following engines were reported by the Center for Auto Safety and/or their manufacturers to have a problem with sludge accumulation:

1996-2001 Toyota 3.0 L 1MZ V6

• August 1996-July 2001 Toyota Camry
• June 1998-May 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
• July 1997-May 2001 Toyota Sienna
• July 1996-May 2001 Toyota Avalon
• November 2000-July 2001 Toyota Highlander
• August 1998-July 2001 Lexus ES300
• January 1998-July 2001 Lexus RX300

1996-2001 Toyota 5SFE I4

• August 1996-July 2001 Toyota Camry
• June 1998-May 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
• August 1996-April 1999 Toyota Celica

yea i had the same problem, my last mechanic didnt tighten the top where d sprak plugs go in so it was leakin oil all they way down to the bottom where the exhaust runs and was smokin because of that... had it tightned and no longer ne smoke