Yes, knocking can damage the engine. Well, the cause of the knocking can damage the engine. Bird Automotive is going to list the causes of a knocking engine below so you can see how these causes affect the engine’s performance and potentially damage it. If your car, truck, or C/SUV’s engine is knocking all the time, drive straight to our shop so we can determine the problem.
Fuel With an Octane Rating That Is Too Low
You may be able to resolve the issue yourself if you check your owner’s manual. If it specifies an octane rating higher than 87 yet you put 87 in the tank, this is why the engine is knocking. The lower the octane rating the slower the fuel fires. Consequently, this causes the fuel to fire multiple times in your vehicle’s cylinders if you drive a high-performance engine. This is what creates the knocking sound.
A Fuel Mixture That Is Lean and Air-Heavy
A lean fuel mixture creates the same problem. When there is too much air in the mixture, it will fire multiple times in the cylinders. Basically, this creates tiny fireballs that collide against each other. This is the knocking sound that you hear. Things that can cause a lean fuel mixture include a faulty MAF or O2 sensor, a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel hoses, or a malfunctioning fuel pump.
A Knock Sensor That Is Malfunctioning
If you are driving an automobile that has a malfunctioning knock sensor, the engine control unit may be unaware that the engine is knocking. This sensor alerts the engine control unit to the engine knock so it can make adjustments in the combustion chamber to prevent it. If the sensor goes bad, there will be no communication between it and the engine control unit, i.e., no fix to stop the knocking.
Spark Plugs That Are Misfiring
Your vehicle’s spark plugs may need to be replaced and the engine knocking that you hear are them telling you so. The spark plugs will misfire when they are worn. If you have relatively new spark plugs in the engine yet the engine is knocking, it’s possible that they are misfiring due to a faulty engine control unit. Replacing the worn plugs or the faulty unit will resolve the problem.
Rod Bearings That Have Worn Out
Finally, your engine will knock if the pistons do not move up and down inside the cylinder walls evenly. If they make contact with the walls, the engine will knock and the cylinders may get damaged. Worn rod bearings can cause the pistons to make contact with the cylinder walls.
Bird Automotive in Oak Grove, MO, can help you determine the reason why your engine is knocking. Call us today for an appointment.
