Worn rock bearings in the cylinder block can make your engine knock. They can also cause serious cylinder block damage because they are knocking the pistons against the cylinder walls. Miller Brothers Auto Repair can replace the rod bearings when they need it, but we caution you that this is an extensive automotive repair. This is just one cause of the knocking engine. Here are the others.
Dead Knock Sensor
The engine has a sensor that detects when it starts to knock. This sensor then sends an error report to the engine control module, the main computer chip. This allows the module to make adjustments in the combustion chamber to stop the engine from knocking. Eventually, the knock sensor will die and failed to report engine knocking to the engine control module.
Lean Fuel Mixture
One of the things that the module fixes is a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. This is a fuel mixture that has too much air in it, and, as such, it causes multiple firings in the cylinders. When the fireballs inside the cylinders collide, they make a knocking sound. If you have a clogged fuel system or a problem with the fuel pump, this can cause a lean fuel mixture.
Low-Octane Fuel
Another thing that creates multiple fireballs in each cylinder is low-octane fuel. If you drive a vehicle with a standard engine, it’s okay to put fuel that has an octane rating of 87 in the tank. If you drive a high-performance automobile, it’s not okay to put low-octane fuel in the tank. Your engine requires fuel with a higher octane rating such as 91.
Worn Spark Plugs
The spark plugs can also make the engine knock if they have worn out and are misfiring. It is this misfiring that creates multiple detonations in each cylinder. Replacing the worn spark plugs usually solves the problem unless they are being misfired by a faulty engine control module. Don’t worry. We can repair both problems.
Loose Accessory Belt
Finally, if you have an accessory belt in the engine that needs to be tightened, it may make a knocking sound when it flaps around inside the engine. Usually, all we need to do to resolve this issue is to tighten the accessory belt or replace the pulley. If the belt is worn, we will replace it, as well.
Call Miller Brothers Auto Repair in Somerset, WI, today if your engine is making a knocking sound. We will get to the bottom of the problem and fix it.