Mitsubishi Repair: noise in engine, low oil pressure, oil condition

Question
97 eclipse 2.0.  Oil went low and now there is a pinging noise.  Can you tell me what this might be.

Thanks

Answer
How low was the oil? How long was it driven this way? I am now assuming that the oil is back to it's regular level and the noise is now present? What does the oil pressure guage read? A pinging noise isn't typical of a low oil condition, especially at idle.  A clacking noise from the lifters is normal with low oil pressure/volume. This should go away once oil has been re-added. A knocking noise from the rods and crank bearings occurs when the bearings have been damaged from operating with low oil pressure/very low oil levels.

A better description of how/when it happened, what you see that is different, what you have done since it happened and of course a better description of the noise and where it is occuring will help a bunch. Thanks.