Engine Started Knocking Then Died- [FIXED]

The engine is one of the main components of your vehicle, which helps to power the car. The primary energy source promotes the vehicle’s function by converting the fuel to mechanical energy.

The engine is connected to many moving parts of the car, hence serving as a significant process for the vehicle to function; that is why when you hear an unusual noise from the engine, it might fret you a little extra. One of them is when your engine started knocking then died.

A knocking sound from your engine can be distracting while driving and put you in uncomfortable situations during the journey. Hence it is also unsafe to drive with a knocking engine. If your engine starts to knock, do not ignore it because it could worsen the engine’s condition and damage its parts.

Why Engine Started Knocking Then Died?

If you have ever experienced a knocking sound from your engine, you might understand the unpleasant feeling and question yourself the reason for your engine knocking. If your engine started knocking then died, it can probably be related to your vehicle’s fuel system. Because when the engine knocks, it is a sign that it cannot move smoothly further because of the lack of power.

If your vehicle runs out of fuel, has low fuel quality, or has an inappropriate mixture of air and fuel passing to the engine, it could cause a knock, and the engine can die.

What Causes Engine Knocking?

As previously stated, the main cause for engine knocking is related to the poor fuel system in the vehicle, but other defects in the engine related to the engine also can cause the engine the knock and die. Hence below is a brief insight into each of the reasons that cause an engine to knock and then die.

1. An Uneven Mixture Of Air and Fuel

For the engine to work smoothly and provide power, the mixture of air and fuel should be delivered in the correct ratios. A bad air-fuel mixture can be caused if the mass airflow sensor is damaged, issues in the vehicle’s electrical system, or issues in the fuel pressure regulator.

1. Low-Quality Fuel

The fuel used for your car is of many different qualities. Hence if you are using cheap and low-quality fuel for your vehicle, the possibility for your engine to knock is high. It s recommended to use high-octane fuel for your car to run smoothly without a hassle.

1. Deposits in the Engine

When using fuel for your engine, it is common for carbon to build up in the engine and get deposited. Carbon deposits are mainly a result of using low-quality fuel in your vehicle, which blocks the cylinders in the engine, causing the engine to knock.

1. Low-Level Fuel

Low-level fuel is one of the most common reasons you will see why your engine is knocking and the easiest way you can fix the issue. If your engine is knocking, it could also be because your car runs out of fuel or the fuel level is low. When it happens, your engine will knock and die.

1. Worn Out Bearings

The engine consists of many moving auto parts and may wear over time because each part has a specific lifetime it will last. One of the most common parts of the engine to wear is the rod, which is connected to the piston for the vehicle to move forward. But after the rod bearing has exceeded its lifetime, it starts to wear out, and the piston will start to knock against the crankshaft. The piston knocking against the crankshaft because of a bad rod bearing will cause the engine to knock.

1. Poor Engine Timing Belt

Another engine part is the timing belt, which is connected to the crankshaft. If the timing belt in the engine gets loose because of a faulty sensor or the ECU sends incorrect reading, the engine starts knocking in the vehicle.

1. Faulty Spark Plugs

If carbon is built around your spark plugs, it will block the electrodes from generating different temperatures correctly. Hence a faulty spark plug problem will cause your engine to knock while accelerating the vehicle. You can fix the issue by cleaning the carbon deposits built around the spark plug.

1. Issues in the Knock Sensor

Knock sensors are commonly seen in modern cars; it is controlled and function by the computer in the vehicle. The knock sensors detect the vibrations and knockings to transmit signals to the ECU. Thus if your car has a damaged or lousy sensor, it will cause the engine to knock.

How to Fix Engine Knocking?

Before fixing the engine knocking in your vehicle, you must figure out the reason for the engine knocking and which part of the vehicle has a defect for the engine to knock. After examining the problem, you can work on the issue to fix it. Below are some of the ways that can be used to fix the engine knocking in the vehicle.

1. Use an engine to lubricate the engine for the moving parts to work smoothly and prevent carbon buildup in the engine. Using engine oil also will help to increase the lifespan of the different parts of the engine.
2. Use high-octane, quality fuel for your vehicle.
3. Replace the worn and damaged parts causing the engine to knock.
4. Refill the fuel tank when needed, and don’t wait for the fuel tank to get empty.

Conclusion

Engine started knocking then died, which is most probably related to the fuel, for example, when the fuel tank is empty, incorrect ratios of the air-fuel mixture or if you are using a cheap fuel for your vehicle. But a defect and damage in the parts of the engine system can also cause your engine to knock.

In the article, we have briefly discussed why the engine knocks and dies and each of the reasons that cause the engine to knock. The article also includes fixing when the engine knocks for extra information.

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