Strange knocking sounds coming from your car’s engine can be caused by a fuel detonation problem or the rod bearings. Crossroads Automotive can get to the bottom of your engine knock. Another thing that can cause it is a loose accessory belt. You may hear the belt slapping around and this is what is making the knocking sound. Aside from this, here are other reasons why your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine knocks all the time.
Bad Timing
If the engine timing is off, the engine will knock. This is because the spark plugs are firing multiple times. As a consequence, you end up with multiple detonations in the cylinders. This is what causes the knocking sound. The problem could be the spark plugs themselves if they are old and worn, or the engine control module if it is malfunctioning and firing the spark plugs sporadically.
Knock Sensor
If your engine’s knock sensor has gone bad, the engine will knock. This sensor is designed to detect engine knock and notify the engine control module so it can make adjustments to the air and fuel in the combustion chamber. If the knock sensor is faulty, it may not be able to detect engine knock or notify the engine control module of the knocking. Unfortunately, your engine will knock until the sensor is replaced.
Lean Fuel Mix
Another thing that causes multiple firings in the cylinders is a lean fuel mixture. When there is more air in the mix than fuel, the fuel is slower to detonate and, consequently, may detonate multiple times. This, naturally, creates the knocking sound you hear coming from your automobile’s engine. Many things can cause a lean fuel mixture in your engine including a faulty fuel pump.
Low Octane
Speaking of fuel, if your vehicle requires fuel that has an octane rating higher than 87 yet you put the low-octane fuel in the tank, this will cause your engine to knock. The lower-rated fuel burns more slowly than 89 or 91 octanes. Consequently, you end up with multiple firings in the cylinders.
Rod Bearings
Finally, if your rod bearings are worn, they can cause the engine to knock indirectly. As the rods push the pistons up and down in the cylinders, they must do so smoothly to prevent contact between the pistons and cylinders. If the bearings are worn, the rods will not be operating in a smooth manner and you will hear knocking sounds that are the pistons making contact with the cylinder walls.
This can damage your engine severely, so call Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, today if your engine is knocking all the time.