It’s important to have the cause of your car’s engine knock diagnosed as soon as possible to make sure it is nothing that can damage the engine severely. Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel can get to the bottom of your knocking engine whether you drive a gasoline or diesel automobile. We are going to list the common causes of a knocking engine below. Most of these are related to improper detonation.
Low-Octane Gasoline
If you drive a gasoline automobile and put the wrong octane in the tank, your engine will start to knock because the fuel will fire multiple times in each cylinder instead of just wants. The multiple firings caused tiny fireballs to collide, and this is what makes the knocking sound coming from the engine. Always make sure to put fuel with the correct octane rating in the tank.
Faulty Knock Sensor
Another thing that can make your engine knock all the time is a malfunctioning knock sensor. This sensor is located in your engine with the sole purpose of alerting the engine control unit when the engine is knocking. If the sensor is not working properly, it may not send out the alert.
Lean Fuel Mixture
As such, the engine control unit may be unaware that there is a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber that is making the engine knock. Normally, the engine control unit would fix this problem by adding fuel to the mixture. Any fuel mixture heavy and air can cause multiple detonations in the cylinders.
Worn Spark Plugs
You may also hear your engine knocking because you need to replace the spark plugs. Worn spark plugs misfire, and, as a consequence, may fire more than once in each cylinder. This will cause the multiple detonations that create the knocking sound. Replacing the plugs usually solves the problem.
Worn Rod Bearings
A source of engine knock that is not related to detonation is worn rod bearings. When the rod bearings wear out, the pistons clank against the cylinder walls as they move up and down inside the cylinders. This makes a knocking noise and can damage your cylinder block.
Loose Accessory Belt
Finally, the noise coming from the engine may not be a knock at all. It may be that your accessory belt is loose and flapping around inside the engine. When it comes in contact with engine parts, it will make a knocking sound.
Call Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel in Limon, CO, today to schedule an appointment if your vehicle has a knocking problem.
