Road noise comes from various sources. Installing sound deadening mats or sprays in your car’s wheel wells and interior panels may help to muffle rattle-inducing noise.
Engine knock can be caused by problems with spark plugs and/or rod bearings, using fuel with lower octane rating than recommended, or uncontrolled combustion that leads to uncontrolled combustion and thus knocking.
1. Cambelt
A cambelt (sometimes referred to as a timing belt) is responsible for synchronising several key components within your engine to ensure its smooth running and proper air and fuel intake.
Should a cambelt break, pistons and cylinder valves may collide more than 100 times every minute causing irreparable damage that will require costly repair bills to repair. Therefore, it is vital that you get your cambelt replaced at its manufacturer-recommended intervals.
Engaging in regular car servicing will also assist with identifying when it’s time for replacement of your cambelt. Book online or contact your nearest Halfords Autocentre for more information.
2. Engine Oil
Engine oil plays a key role in protecting and lubricating moving metal parts within your car’s engine, eliminating friction and preventing damage while also trapping, transferring, and dissipating heat produced from combustion. If your engine oil is of poor quality or contamination it could cause metal parts to jostle against one another producing an unpleasant noise.
Following manufacturer recommendations regarding oil type and viscosity is critical. A quality motor oil should contain additives designed to increase lubrication, decrease wear and protect against corrosion – using any other can result in poor performance and voide warranties. Routinely checking oil level and dipstick evaluation is critical to ensure optimal function; any frequent knocking after an oil change could indicate an issue needing professional intervention; understanding these signs as early warning signals is the best way to maintain peak vehicle condition.
3. Fuel
Engine knock is a rapid tapping or pinging sound produced when an air/fuel mixture ignites multiple times uncontrollably in one or more cylinders of an engine, leading to parts hitting together when they shouldn’t, potentially causing damage and making noise.
Modern vehicles contain sensors to prevent this issue, so it is rare in newer cars. However, older engines may develop issues like clogged fuel pumps or injectors or issues with oxygen/mass airflow sensors leading to lean air/fuel mixtures that subsequently lead to decreased performance.
Fuel types boast different octane ratings to indicate their resistance to abnormal combustion; and your vehicle manufacturer typically specifies a grade. Relying on lower octane grades than recommended can damage engines and shorten engine lifespan significantly.
4. Transmission
Transmissions are responsible for turning engine energy into physical movement. They use clutches and gears to shift with speed, power, and load requirements.
Unusual noises such as clunking, whining and humming signal issues with your transmission and gearbox that require immediate attention. They may be caused by internal damage, loose components or fluid leakage issues.
Mechanics will visually inspect the transmission and its components for signs of wear or damage, using diagnostic scanning tools to assess transmission fluid quality (if it’s low or contaminated, replacement will be performed to restore proper lubrication); clutches, torque converters and bearings will be checked for functionality and wear before test driving to experience firsthand any problems and gain more insight.
5. Suspension
Suspensions are complex systems that connect your vehicle’s wheels to its suspensions, creating an optimal ride and stable handling. Vehicle engineers spend endless hours creating custom suspension solutions tailored for every possible circumstance they could face.
Springs support the weight of your car while dampers absorb its energy. As your accelerate, brake and corner, weight transfers between wheels causing their respective springs to compress/elongate as necessary – compressing/elongating their respective springs in response.
As your car becomes worn down, its shocks and struts will be less effective at absorbing road bumps, leading to metal-on-metal contact which causes clanking noises as you drive over bumps. Replacing them will prevent this problem from arising while ensuring your ride remains comfortable and safe.
6. Rod Bearings
An intermittent rhythmic thumping noise that arises while operating a vehicle typically indicates rod bearing wear. The banging sound results from excessive clearance between rod bearing and crankshaft causing loose bearing to strike crankshaft journal with each firing cycle, creating the rhythmic sound.
Engine oil provides essential lubrication to multiple components in your car, including rod bearings. But without enough of it, metal surfaces will grate against each other, eventually leading to severe damage over time. Inadequate lubrication also results in water, dirt and metal particles entering the oil supply which can further exacerbate its effectiveness and potentially create additional issues for further complications.
If your vehicle experiences rod knock, professional diagnosis and repair will likely be required before driving again. A mechanic will drain out oil before inspecting rod bearings – possibly suggesting replacement where necessary.
7. Rod Slap
Faulty serpentine belt tensioners or pulleys may produce noises similar to rod knock, making repairs relatively inexpensive.
A mechanic can quickly diagnose this problem with a quick test. If tapping increases with acceleration, this could indicate rod knock.
Rod knock is an expensive engine problem that needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible in order to avoid costly repairs, so it is crucial that it be addressed by professionals immediately. You can reduce its occurrence by following proper oil maintenance best practices on your vehicle and visiting an engine shop regularly for inspections. Our technicians at Capitol Toyota can help identify what’s causing its knocking sound in your car and take the steps needed to resolve it – contact us now and set up your next service appointment!
