If your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine is making constant knocking noises, bring the automobile to Advanced Automotive right away. Knocking sounds coming from the engine can be a sign that there is a serious problem in the cylinder block. Ignoring the problem can damage your engine beyond repair. Let’s talk more about this below and the other causes of a knocking engine.
Bad Rod Bearings
Specifically, the cylinder block has pistons in each cylinder that move up and down. Rods attached to rod bearings are what move the pistons up and down. If the bearings have gone bad, they may cause the rods to wiggle as they move the pistons up and down inside the cylinders. The knocking sound that you hear is the pistons making contact with the cylinder walls. This can damage the cylinder block.
Faulty Sensor
Another cause of constant engine knock is a faulty knock sensor. This sensor is designed to detect engine knock so it can notify the engine control module that there needs to be an adjustment in the combustion chamber. If the sensor has gone bad, the engine control module will not get the message. When this happens, the issue in the combustion chamber will not be corrected in your engine will knock.
Incorrect Octane
One problem that can cause an issue in the combustion chamber is the incorrect octane in the gas tank. For example, if your vehicle manufacturer recommends that you use 89 or 91 octanes and you put 87 in the tank, the engine will knock because there will be multiple detonations in the cylinders. The air and fuel in each cylinder should only detonate one time.
Lean Fuel Mixture
A lean fuel mixture can also cause multiple detonations in the cylinders. This fuel mixture has too much air in it. Things that can cause a lean fuel mixture include a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors, a faulty mass airflow sensor, or a malfunctioning oxygen sensor.
Misfiring Engine
A misfiring engine will make knocking noises. If the engine control module has gone bad, it may be directing the spark plugs to fire incorrectly. This will cause the engine to misfire. If the spark plugs need to be replaced, the engine will misfire, as well.
Advanced Automotive in Stanwood, WA, would be happy to determine why your engine is knocking every time you drive your automobile. Call our shop today to schedule a service appointment.
