You should not hear your import’s engine knocking, especially all the time. If you do hear knocking all the time, call Uptown Imports for an engine inspection. We will determine the reason why your engine is knocking and fix the problem. Most of the time, the knock is caused by poor detonation in the cylinders. We will explain more about this below.
Bad Knock Sensor
Before we get into the things that cause detonation knock, let’s talk about your vehicle’s knock sensor. It is so important that your engine avoids knocking that it actually has a sensor that alerts the main computer chip when knocking occurs. This allows the computer chip to assess the problem and make adjustments in the engine to ensure the knocking stops. For example, if your engine is knocking because there isn’t enough fuel in the combustion chamber, the computer chip will add fuel. If the knock sensor is bad, it may not alert the computer chip of the engine knock. Consequently, you will hear it.
Lean Fuel Mixture
The situation described above is a lean fuel mixture. This mixture can be caused by a number of things, including a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors, a malfunctioning MAF or O2 sensor, or a dead fuel pump. All of these things prevent enough fuel from making its way into your vehicle’s cylinders.
Low Fuel Octane
Another thing that will make your import’s engine knock all the time is the wrong fuel. For example, if you drive a high-performance BMW but you put fuel in the tank with an 87-octane rating, your engine is going to knock. High-performance engines require fuel with higher octane ratings in order to fire correctly. The low octane will cause multiple firings in the cylinders and this is the knock you hear.
Poor Engine Timing
You may also have poor engine timing. This can be caused by a problem with your vehicle’s main computer chip or an issue with the spark plugs. In modern vehicles, the computer chip fires the spark plugs in a specific order. If the computer chip is malfunctioning and the plugs are not firing in the correct order, the engine timing will be off and you will hear knocks coming from the cylinders.
Worn Rod Bearings
Finally, if the rod bearings are worn, the pistons will knock against the cylinder walls. The rod bearings move the rods up and down. The pistons are attached to the rods so they can move up and down. Worn rod bearings, again, can cause the pistons to vibrate against the cylinder walls.
Uptown Imports in Minneapolis, MN, would be happy to get to the bottom of the reason why your engine is knocking all the time. Call us today to set up an appointment.