If you hear knocking noises coming from your European automobile’s engine, it’s important to bring the vehicle to Eurotech Auto Service & Repair right away. Ignoring the engine knock could seriously damage the engine. In fact, you may end up with an engine that cannot be repaired. Let’s talk about six different things that will make your engine knock below.
1. Bad Engine Timing
The spark plugs are controlled by the engine control module and each plug fires in a specific order. If the engine control module is going bad and fires the spark plugs out of order, you may end up with multiple firings in each cylinder. When this happens, tiny fireballs hit each other and make a knocking sound. Worn spark plugs can also cause this problem.
2. Bad Knock Sensor
Another thing that will make your European automobile’s engine knock is a faulty knock sensor. This sensor is installed in the engine with the sole purpose of detecting engine knock. If it hears knocking sounds, it alerts the engine control module so it can make adjustments to the air and fuel in the combustion chamber.
3. Lean Fuel Mixture
The reason why the engine control module must make adjustments to the combustion chamber is that a lean fuel mixture will make the engine knock. A mixture that has too much air in it causes the multiple fireballs that bad engine timing does. If the knock sensor has gone bad and cannot notify the engine control module of the lean fuel mixture, your engine will knock.
4. Low-Octane Fuel
Many European automobiles have high-performance engines. These engines require fuel with higher octane than the lowest rating, which is 87. If you put fuel with an octane rating that is lower than what is recommended for your engine, the engine will knock.
5. Worn Rod Bearings
As we mentioned above, a knocking engine could be a damaged engine. In the case of the rod bearings, if they have worn out, the rods will crash the pistons against the cylinder walls. Ignoring this problem can break a rod and damage the cylinders.
6. Loose Accessory Belt
Finally, your engine may be making a knocking sound that is caused by a loose accessory belt. If this belt is too loose, it will flap around inside the engine and this is the knocking sound you hear. Replacing an old belt or tightening the tensioner pulley generally solves the problem.
Eurotech Auto Service & Repair is the best auto service shop in Fort Myers, FL, so give us a call today if your European vehicle’s engine is knocking.