How To Extend The Life Of An Engine With Rod Knock? (Detailed Guide)
Like any other car part, the car engine cannot stay in top condition forever. Over time, it will encounter some problems, and one of them is the knocking sound. If this situation occurs, engine replacement is not necessary. Instead, you can apply some cost-effective solutions to increase the life of the engine.
So how to extend the life of an engine with rod knock? Let’s find out via the following article.
What Is Rod Knock?
If you hear a knocking sound coming from within the engine while you’re driving, your car could be suffering from a rod knock. The cause of this problem is rod-bearing wear or damage. This sound is caused by rod-bearing wear or damage.
It usually manifests as a slight knocking sound that fluctuates depending on the car’s speed. When you accelerate, the knocking sound becomes faster and louder. On the contrary, when you decelerate, it becomes slower and quieter.
To know what rod knock sounds like, watch the video.
What Causes Rod Knock?
Usually, rod knocks are caused by wear or damage to the bearings. However, the cause of the knocking engine may also lie in some mechanical problems. These include:
- Damaged or defective crankshaft bearings
- Faulty air compressor
- Rotor bearings around the pistons are damaged
- Any malfunctions occur in the water pump
- Broken or cracked flywheels
- Broken timing belt tensioner
- Lack of lubricants
- [Others]
How To Extend Life Of An Engine With Rod Knock (Detailed Instructions)
When dealing with these knocking sounds, replacing the entire engine is not a recommended option. Instead, to save costs, you can apply some simple solutions that can prolong engine life.
1. Consider replacing the bearings
There is no denying that bearings have a significant influence on the motion of the piston and crankshaft. As a result, bearings will make noise if they fail.
It is best to start with a bearings inspection when rod knock occurs. If your bearings have problems, replace them immediately.
2. Replace Damaged Connector Rods
When it comes to engine knocking, the cause may lie in damaged connector rods. So the knocking noises will stop if you replace those faulty parts. It is true to say that replacing rods is much less expensive than replacing the whole engine.
3. Consider Replacing Pistons Rod
The cause of the knocking can lie in defective parts of the piston or the whole piston. So when you hear knocking sounds, prioritize checking the pistons.
4. Replace Defective Spark Plugs
Connector rods and pistons are connected to spark plugs and chambers. Hence, defective spark plugs can damage the rods and create knocking noise. In this case, it is wise to visit an auto service center to replace spark plugs.
5. Car Weight Reduction
Every vehicle has a weight limit. Thus, when your car is overloaded, its engine cannot respond. If this condition persists, some parts may be damaged, such as loose or slightly damaged pistons and damaged timing belt tensioner.
The advice here is to avoid overloading your vehicle. At least your car should not be overloaded often.
6. Use High-Quality Lubricating Oil
As mentioned above, not using lubricating oil regularly or using poor quality lubricating oil can cause knocking sounds.
As a result, use hight quality lubricating oil for the pistons to move more smoothly.
7. Watch Out for the Coolant Level
As we know, engine overheating can cause a knocking noise. As an ingredient related to air conditioners, coolant is essential in helping to prevent overheating of the engine.
Thus, coolant checking needs to be carried out regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do worn bearings cause knocking sounds?
The leading cause of knocking noise is worn bearings. As the pistons move in the engine, they rotate the crankshaft to transmit power to the wheels.
Bearings play the role of ensuring the smooth movement of the pistons. Unfortunately, these bearings can wear out over time, and that causes them to come out of their place. At that time, the piston rods collide with the crankshaft, and knocking sounds are formed.
In this case, you need to replace those worn bearings. Fortunately, replacing bearings is inexpensive.
2. How much does rod knock repair cost?
The cost of repairing rod knock depends on the type of car and the level of damage to the engine. In most cases, it ranges from $2000 to $4000. However, for some vehicles, such as the Subaru Forester, the knock repair cost can be $5000.
3. Can I drive a car with a rod knock?
The short answer is yes! However, you should not ignore this problem; Resolve this problem as soon as possible.
4. Should I repair the rod knock myself?
If you are inexperienced, do not repair the engine yourself; You can misjudge the cause and make things worse.
It is best to go to an auto repair shop and ask for help. Experienced mechanics will use one or more methods to examine your vehicle to determine the cause of the knock.
The cost depends on the type of vehicle and the extent of the engine failure. In most cases, the cost ranges from $2000 to $4000. For some special cases, this cost may be higher.
5. How long will an engine last with rod knock?
Unfortunately, there is no real answer for this. Sometimes the answer is a lot longer than you would imagine.
Bottom Lines
When experiencing engine problems, such as the engine knocking noise, many car owners assume their engine is completely broken and replace it. But, in fact, they could use that engine for a long time longer, and replacing it due to knocking sounds could be a costly mistake.
Hopefully, you can solve the knocking engine without spending too much. Do not forget that engine replacement should never be your priority!
Thank you for reading! Please share this article with others who are facing similar problems. See you in another article!