This is how fuel keeps burning to generate power that drives your vehicle. Spark plugs, like all other engine components, wear and tear with age and usage. In fact, most car manufacturers recommend changing them after 30, miles, while we also advise you to check them when buying a used car. Defective spark plugs cause incomplete fuel combustion and consequently a drop in engine power. After a while, a crankshaft knock happens and the noise gets louder with more acceleration.
One thing you must always be cautious about is the quality of fuel that you feed your engine. Fuel generates the power that sustains the life of your engine while also determining how well or poorly it performs.
For maximum efficiency, these engines require fuel with high levels of octane to prevent premature combustion. You can minimize the chances of knocking due to low-octane fuels by using an octane booster. But this should only occur when you cannot find fuel pumps with high-octane fuel.
Further, stick to gas stations that you trust and those known to sell high-quality fuel. In Texas, fuel distributors must include carbon cleaning detergents in gasoline to dissolve deposits that potentially clog up engine cylinders. The carbon deposits leave less room for combustion to occur efficiently inside your engine. In turn, this increases the pressure inside the cylinders and can sometimes lead to nasty knocking sounds. The effect is usually lower gas mileage or overheating when oil levels are suboptimal.
We covered this and more areas recently in our post on tell-tale signs that your car needs servicing. Be sure to check it out for more insights. An engine with many years of service will undoubtedly be prone to knocking from worn components. Make sure you're buying fuel with an octane rating in accordance with your auto manufacturer's recommendation -- this information should be in the user manual or on a sticker near the car's gas cap. Most cars in the United States should be good with 87 octane fuel, but high-end and performance cars probably require a higher rating.
The Federal Trade Commission suggests switching to a higher octane rating than recommended only if intended to alleviate knocking. If you suspect your car has old or bad gas, try adding an octane boost additive until you've run through a few fresh fill-ups.
There are a few different types of detergents that can be added to the gasoline, such as fuel injector cleaner, which can help dirty combustion chambers as well as the injectors. Try running it through at least three full tanks of gasoline before evaluating the results [source: Allen ].
And if these simple tricks don't help, try switching gasoline brands. Even if the above steps didn't appear to solve the problem, they certainly didn't hurt.
Decreasing the compression ratio can also help alleviate the causes of knock. The next potential culprit is dirty cylinders, and again, the plan is to try to flush them clean. Over time, carbon components that are present in all gasoline build up. Small deposits can compound over time, and higher compression often increases the formation of deposits, so the problem can quickly get worse.
It's much easier to run a cleaning additive through the gasoline every now and then at the manufacturer's recommended interval to keep the cylinders reasonably clean, than it is to fiddle with compression and temperatures to accommodate existing deposits that will just get larger. And have you seen those advertisements on gas pumps that promote gas manufacturers' brands of "cleaner engine" fuel?
This is why -- detergent cleaning additives are required by the U. All octane levels should perform similar cleaning functions. Next, check the spark plugs. It's a simple process, but if you're uncomfortable or don't have the right tools, it's best left to a mechanic. Once the plugs are out, compare the model numbers stamped onto the plugs with your manufacturer's recommendation which can be found in your owner's manual.
If the spark plugs were the right kind, well, it's a good thing you're probably already at your mechanic's, because your car's got other problems. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Under the Hood. Engine Performance. What is engine knock?
Hey, what's that knocking noise in the engine? See more pictures of engines. What to do: Have your cylinders cleaned by a professional. Briggs and Stratton , an engine manufacturer, recommends that you check your cylinder for carbon build-up every hours of operation, just to be safe. If you're short on time and expertise, feel free to bring your car to your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for an inspection and tune-up.
Our technicians can help your engine get back in shape! If your car's engine knocking has you stumped, stop by your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care and let our technicians get to the bottom of the noise. Depending on your vehicle, manufacturer recommendations , and mileage, a maintenance tune-up may be just what your car needs. The solution could be as simple as a basic spark plug replacement, or it may require more in-depth adjustments.
Schedule your appointment online today! It's time to make your drive smooth and quiet again. Blog Categories Blog Home. What Is An Engine Knock? What Could Cause Engine Knocking? End engine knocking at Firestone Complete Auto Care If your car's engine knocking has you stumped, stop by your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care and let our technicians get to the bottom of the noise. Up Next. Find out which six maintenance services drivers most often neglect, but shouldn't for the health of their car.
Keep your car running newer, longer! Get important car care tips for prepping your vehicle for cold weather, straight from one of Firestone Complete Auto Care's expert technicians in Wisconsin!
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