Engine knocking is annoying, but did you know it’s a sign of possible issues in the engine and elsewhere in the car? It’s true. Here’s some more information from Davis & Clark Auto Repair to help you understand what might be happening.
Fuel Injector Issues
Sometimes engine knocks are a symptom of fuel injector issues because the fuel injectors are responsible for getting the right amount of fuel into the engine. If they’re not able to do that, it affects the fuel mixture and can leave the engine starved for fuel to burn. When that happens, you end up hearing engine knocks, which can eventually lead to engine damage over time.
Spark Problems
Spark problems create a similar set of problems for your engine as failing fuel injectors do. Your car relies on the right amount and timing of spark in order to burn the fuel in the engine. So, when the spark plugs don’t function properly, that affects everything about how the fuel gets used. That, in turn, can lead to engine knocks.
Low Octane Fuel
If you’re using a lower octane fuel than recommended by your car’s manufacturer, that could be the source of engine knocks you’re hearing. Many car owners ignore octane level recommendations because it’s easy to believe that those are just a way to get you to buy more expensive gas. It’s truly a recommendation designed to give your car’s engine what it needs to run properly. And when you’re using lower octane level gas, that’s going to cause misfires.
Failing Knock Sensors
They sound made up, but knock sensors are real and they are important for your car’s engine. Knock sensors detect knocks and then transmit that information to your car’s ECM. The ECM can then use that data to adjust whatever is off that could be contributing to the engine knocks. It’s a great system until the knock sensors stop working properly. When that happens, the ECM doesn’t have any of the information it needs to stay on top of those adjustments and you end up hearing engine knocking.
If you’re hearing engine knocking, give us a call at Davis & Clark Auto Repair in Bend, OR. We’ll be able to perform diagnostic testing to help determine what’s causing the problem and recommend a plan for repairing the issue. From there, we’ll also be able to help you to stick to a maintenance schedule that can solve problems before they start.
